Collin McHugh (5-2, 4.24 ERA) and Mike Wright (2-0, 1.40 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the Houston Astros (32-20) and the Baltimore Orioles (23-27) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 5-2 and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 2 and can be seen on MASN2 and ROOT-SW.
McHugh pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs and striking out five in a 5-4 defeat to the Orioles. Jose Altuve (.297, 24 Rs, 5 HRs, 26 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI. Wright went 5.0 innings, surrendering three runs and striking out two in a 6-3 win over the White Sox in his most recent start.
Houston is a -137 favorite against Baltimore and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +1,051 and a record as the favorite of 12-11. Houston is a disappointing 1-3 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 167. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 44 bases. As for the pitchers, the Astros are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.15 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Astros, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per game with 7.7.
Over in the other dugout, Baltimore is coming in with an overall money line of -434 and a disappointing record of 7-14 as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-3 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Orioles have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.2 runs per game by averaging 2.7 during that stretch. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Orioles are fifth in the AL on the road with an average of 8.1 hits allowed per away game.
The Astros have a great 19-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Wright takes the mound. McHugh (RHP) will be on the hill against the Orioles, who have a 19-21 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Astros play into extra innings, they have a 3-2 record. The Orioles are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Orioles managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are heading in with an 18-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 17-6. The Astros have a 20-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Baltimore has earned 209 this season. Houston ranks ninth with 224 runs.
Ranking 22nd, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 125 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 169.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 24-11. When the Orioles hit at least one homer, they have a 19-14 record.
