Subscribe
Follow Us
We're back with yet another MLB betting prediction and pick for Saturday's slate as we head to the American League for a battle between two contenders. The Baltimore Orioles will visit the Houston Astros for the second game of their three-game series and a pitching matchup you won't want to miss! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with an Orioles-Astros prediction and pick.
Orioles-Astros Projected Starters
Corbin Burnes (RHP) vs. Ronel Blanco (RHP)
Corbin Burnes (8-2) with a 2.14 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 89 K, 92.2 IP
Last Start: 6/16 vs. PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 K
2024 Road Splits: (4-1) with a 2.54 ERA, .188 OBA, 33 K, 39.0 IP
Ronel Blanco (7-2) with a 2.43 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 75 K, 77.2 IP
Last Start: 6/16 vs. DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 K
2024 Home Splits: (2-2) with a 2.83 ERA, .156 OBA, 38 K, 41.1 IP
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Orioles-Astros Odds
Baltimore Orioles: -1.5 (+105)
Moneyline: -154
Houston Astros: +1.5 (-126)
Moneyline: +130
Over: 8 (-110)
Under: 8 (-110)
How to Watch Orioles vs. Astros
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET/ 1:10 p.m. PT
Article Continues Below
TV: MASN, Space City Home Network, MLB.TV
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Orioles Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Baltimore Orioles are currently second in the AL East, just a half-game back of the leading New York Yankees. They're one of the early-season contenders to challenge for the American League pennant and they just finished a 2-1 series win over the Yankees. Their young core of Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman is arguably the best in all of baseball and they're currently hitting the ball at some insane rates. They come into this game after hanging 17 runs on the Yankees, looking to shell another formidable pitcher from the Astros.
Corbin Burnes has been the O's best workhorse this season and he ranks fourth league-wide in ERA. He also comes into this game with a stellar 4-1 road record, including wins in his last five consecutive appearances. He's notched 18 strikeouts during his last five starts and has only allowed three earned during that stretch. Combine his awesome road starts with the hot hitting of the Baltimore squad and they should have a great chance at another series win against the Astros.
Why The Astros Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Houston Astros are in second place in the AL West, sitting eight games behind the leading Seattle Mariners. They're just five games back of .500, but they're behind pace by their own standards considering they're leading the entire MLB in batting average at .259. Their troubles have come from shaky pitching early in games and an inability to score runners left on base. Kyle Tucker has emerged as their biggest bat and Jose Altuve continues to be his consistent self at all times. Luckily, they'll be sending their best ace in Ronel Blanco to try and knock this Orioles team off their pedestal.
Ronel Blanco ranks top-10 league-wide in ERA and pitching WHIP. At the moment, he's red-hot over his last two starts notching two wins, 16 total strikeouts, and only allowing one earned run. He's been perfect on the road, so it's understandable that his number take a small dip at home. Still, he's actually giving up a lower OBA at .153 at home and will need to be solid in shutting down the hot bats of the Orioles.
Final Orioles-Astros Prediction & Pick
Both of these teams will end up being contenders in the American League by the end of the season, but it's the Baltimore Orioles that have seen immediate success from their young emerging roster. Corbin Burnes has been their most consistent pitcher and has been hot on the road – look for him to pitch late into this game as he racks up at least six strikeouts.
The Astros will also start their hottest pitcher in Ronel Blanco and his numbers with hitters in position have been great all season. While he enjoys chasing the strikeouts, he does a great job of jamming batters and forcing ground balls when the game hangs in the balance.
All in all, this pitching matchup may be the best of the day with the two hurlers sharing a combined record of 15-4 on the season. We should see both of them pitch deep into this game and we could see the lead change hands several times. We have to give a slight edge to the Baltimore Orioles for how well they've been hitting the ball over their last three games. Their last series against the Yankees was a huge confidence boost for them and I expect that hot hitting to carry over into this one. Let's ride the Orioles to grab this win.
Click here for more betting news and predictions
Final Orioles-Astros Prediction & Pick: Baltimore Orioles -1.5 (+105)
