Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Prediction: Can Cristian Javier, Astros Avoid the Sweep?
The Baltimore Orioles and the Houston Astros play on Wednesday afternoon for game three of this AL affair. Can Cristian Javier and the Astros avoid the sweep? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - September 20, 2023, 10:36 AM EDT
7 minBaltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Prediction: Can Cristian Javier, Astros Avoid the Sweep?
The Baltimore Orioles and the Houston Astros will clash from Space City on Wednesday afternoon for game three of this AL affair.
Orioles vs. Astros Date, Time and Where to Watch
- Date: September 20, 2023
- Time: 2:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Prediction
Baltimore has been the most surprising team in baseball. The Orioles enter play with the best record in the American League (95-56).
Baltimore holds a 2.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and has already clinched a playoff berth.
Superstar catcher Adley Rutschman leads the team in hits with 149. The catcher has blasted 19 home runs while driving in 79 runs.
Outfielder Austin Hays leads the O's in batting average (.283).
Anthony Santander and rookie Gunnar Henderson are tied for the team lead in home runs with 27 long balls a piece.
The future is bright for Baltimore as they have arguably the best young core in all of baseball.
The last time that the Orioles made the playoffs was in 2016. The last time that Baltimore won a playoff series was in 2014.
Baltimore is the favorite to reach the World Series out of the American League at +300 via DraftKings Sportsbook.
The O's will send right-hander Kyle Bradish to the mound. Bradish is 11-7 with an ERA of 3.12
Houston enters play sitting at the top of the AL West.
Houston leads the Mariners and Rangers by 0.5 games.
The Astros enter play 4-6 over their last ten, losing three straight series.
Kyle Tucker has paved the Astors' offense, leading the team with 28 home runs and 118 runs batted in.
Yordan Alvarez is tied with Tucker for the team lead in home runs with 18. Alvarez has played in 47 fewer games than Tucker.
Jose Altuve has played in just 80 games this year but is batting .314 in those 80 games. Altuve has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball in the past few years.
Houston had dominated the AL West, winning the division five of the last six years.
The Astors will send Cristian Javier to the bump. Javier is 9-4 with an ERA of 4.74.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Pick
This is the perfect bounce-back spot for Houston, who will not get swept at home.
Javier has great numbers against this Orioles lineup, with a batting average of .151 in 53 at-bats.
Additionally, Javier has been much better at pitching in Houston, with an ERA of 3.86 compared to an ERA of 5.40 on the road. Javier has a record of 5-1 pitching during the day.
Bradish has been great this year for Baltimore, but he has struggled more on the road, with an ERA of 3.56 compared to 2.57 at home.
Pick: Houston Astros ML -115 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds.
MLB Odds
