Orioles vs. Astros Pick & Predictions 6/21/24

Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros
Date: Friday, June 21st, 8:10 ET
Location: Minute Maid Park
TV: None
Money Line: Orioles -158/Astros +133
Total Line: 8.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Houston Astros and the Orioles on Friday, June 21st at Minute Maid Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

Friday’s Orioles vs. Astros game has an 8.5 run total, and the Orioles are favored on the money line, with their line sitting at -158 compared to the Astros at +133. Jake Bloss is starting for the Astros, and the Orioles are going with Grayson Rodriguez. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 8:10 PM ET.

The Orioles are 49-25 and the Astros are 35-40, and both teams will be looking to keep their two-game winning streaks alive. This game is being played in Houston, and the Astros are the 2nd favorite in the AL West, while the Orioles are 2nd in the AL East.

Orioles vs. Astros Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Baltimore Orioles: 49-25 SU / OU 37-27 / Runline 46-28
Houston Astros: 35-40 SU / OU 26-46 / Runline 33-42

Orioles Records & Recent Play

The Orioles’s offense was hot right out of the gates in their most recent game vs. the Yankees, closing out their series with a 17-5 win. After allowing one run to the Yankees in the 1st inning, the Orioles responded with six runs of their own. Baltimore went on to add another six runs in the 2nd inning.

Cole Irvin got the start for the Orioles, going 4 2/3 innings, and got the win. He also issued five walks and gave up five earned runs. Anthony Santander was hot at the plate, going 2/5 with a homer and three RBIs.

Baltimore is 49-25 overall this season, and they trail the Yankees by just a half-game for the AL East lead. The Orioles are on a two-game winning streak, and they closed out their series vs. the Yankees with a win. So far, they have been excellent in the AL East, putting together a record of 19-7.

At home, the Orioles have gone 25-14 this season, and they have been even better on the road at 24-11. As the favorite, the Orioles are 39-20 this season, and they are 10-5 as the underdog. Baltimore’s overall series record is 17-4-3, and they have won four straight series.

The Orioles have been a solid bet against the run line this season, going 46-28 overall. They are particularly strong on the road, where they are 24-11 against the run line. Their average run margin on the road is +2.1, and they have covered the run line in their last two road games.

The Baltimore Orioles are on the road today against the Houston Astros. The over/under line for the game is set at 8.5 runs, which is slightly below their season average of 8.9 runs per game. The Orioles have hit the over in 13 of 21 games when the line is set at 8.5 runs, and the over has hit in two straight games.

Astros Records & Recent Play

The Astros’s offense was hot right out of the gates in their most recent game vs. the White Sox, closing out their series with a 5-3 win. Houston scored a run in the 1st inning and added another four runs in the 3rd. Heading into the game, the Astros were the heavy favorite at -179.

Spencer Arrighetti got the start for the Astros, going 4 1/3 innings, and picked up the win. He also issued just three hits and struck out two. Tayler Scott and Josh Hader closed things out, with Hader picking up the save.

Houston is eight games behind the Mariners in the AL West but is just below .500 overall at 35-40. The Astros will host the Orioles today with an overall division record of 15-12. The team is on a two-game winning streak, which came after dropping the first game of their series vs. the White Sox.

So far, the Astros have been good as the favorite, going 28-32, and they are 7-8 as the underdog. At home, the Astros have gone 19-19 compared to 16-21 on the road. Houston’s overall series record is 12-11-1, and they have won two straight series.

When the Astros win, they win big, with an average run margin of 4.0 runs per game. That’s why they are 25-35 vs. the run line as favorites. Their overall run line mark is 33-42, and they are 17-21 at home. They have a run line record of 16-21 on the road, where they are being outscored by a half-run per game.

When the Astros play at home, the over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. Their games have averaged 8.7 runs per game this season, and their over/under record is 26-46. The average over/under line for their games is 9 runs. When the line is set at 8.5 runs, their over/under record is 6-13. Overall, 42.7% of their games have had over/under lines set at 8.5 runs or higher, and their current under streak is at four games.

Pitching Matchup

Grayson Rodriguez has been pitching well for the Orioles, as he has won each of his last three starts. Most recently, he faced the Phillies and picked up the win, going seven innings and giving up two earned runs. Looking at his overall numbers, Rodriguez is 8-2 with a 3.20 ERA. Opponents have a batting average of .230 this season off the right-hander. Rodriguez has made six starts on the road and is 4-1 with a 4.78 ERA in those outings. At home, his ERA is 2.18. Per nine innings, he is averaging 9.85 strikeouts and 2.94 walks.

For today’s game against the Orioles, the Astros will rely on Jake Bloss to set the tone. It’s his debut for the season and he’s looking to put together a strong start in his debut.

Orioles vs. Astros Offense Outlook

Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson have been the top two hitters for the Orioles this season, with Rutschman batting .293 and Henderson at .279. Henderson has also been one of the league’s top power threats, as his 22 homers are 2nd in the MLB. Anthony Santander has also been a key power threat for Baltimore, as his 19 homers are 5th in the league, but he is hitting just .230.

Not only are the Orioles the league’s top home run hitting team, but they are also the top-scoring team in the league at 5.3 runs per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 5.6 runs per contest. Over their last seven games, both Anthony Santander and Gunnar Henderson have been swinging the bat well, with Santander going deep five times and Henderson hitting .323.

Heading into today’s game, the Astros are the top-scoring team in the league, averaging 4.4 runs per game. They have been even better at home, putting up 4.8 runs per contest. Houston has been a tough team to strike out this season and also have the league’s top team batting average. Their team on-base percentage and slugging percentage are also among the league’s best marks.

Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker have been the Astros’ top power threats this season, with Alvarez hitting 15 homers and Tucker at 19. Tucker’s 40 RBIs are the best mark on the team, and Alvarez is right behind him with 39. Over his last three games, Alvarez has gone 5/11 with a home run. Alex Bregman is also swinging a hot bat right now, as he is on a three-game hitting streak and has gone 7/21 in his last five games.

Free Orioles vs. Astros MLB Pick

The Astros are putting Jake Bloss in a tough spot, as he is facing off against a loaded Orioles lineup that is coming off a 17-run outburst vs. the Yankees. Bloss has some good stats in the minors and is their #10 prospect, but I see the Orioles to have no problem pulling this one off. You could go with the money line at -158, but I’m feeling good enough to take the Orioles on the run line.