Astros vs Orioles Preview: Potential Postseason Preview in Baltimore

• Orioles enter with best record in American League
• Astros trail Rangers by three games in AL West
• Framber Valdez to start for Astros against Grayson Rodriguez

Astros vs Orioles Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out other MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities! 

Astros vs Orioles Picks

• Orioles Moneyline (+110)

Astros vs Orioles Predictions

Tuesday night’s nationally televised game in Major League Baseball will feature the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. Both of these teams are in a position to qualify for the postseason this year. But games like this one could go a long way toward deciding home-field advantage in the American League, as the Orioles look to extend their advantage over the rest of the AL at home.

Houston Astros Predictions

The Houston Astros enter this contest this series against the Baltimore Orioles off of a four-game split with the New York Yankees. Houston lost two of the first three games of that series but bounced back to win the series finale on Sunday. The Astros will look to build on their series-ending win over New York on Tuesday, as they look for a significant win on the road against the AL East leaders.

Houston will have to like its chances to win this game, as they send Framber Valdez to the mound on Tuesday night. Valdez comes into this contest on the short list of AL Cy Young favorites, as he has a 9-7 record and a 3.07 ERA. This will be one of the toughest matchups of the season for Valdez, though, as he faces an Orioles team that is in the top eight in the league in runs scored this season.

This game is of particular importance to the Astros, as they are still trying to chase down the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Houston is three games back of first place in their division, despite the Rangers entering Tuesday on a seven-game winning streak. As a result of that win streak, the margin for error for the Astros is razor-thin.

Baltimore Orioles Predictions

The Baltimore Orioles have the best record in the American League coming into Tuesday’s action. They lead the AL East as well, as they are the only team in the American League with 70 wins on the season to date. Here, they will face a less-than-favorable pitching matchup against an Astros team that has a ton to play for as the number of weeks left in the regular season dwindles.

Grayson Rodriguez will have his mettle tested in this matchup, as he has to match the performance of Valdez in this game. Rodriguez has a 2-3 record and an unconvincing 6.09 ERA. But Rodriguez can prove himself as someone who can be influential in the postseason if he can deliver a strong start in this game against the defending World Series champions.

Fortunately for the Orioles, the situational trends are all in their favor coming into this marquee matchup on Tuesday. Baltimore is 35-21 at home this season, and they are 39-15 as an underdog on top of that. As a home underdog in this game, the Orioles should have a great chance to come away with a victory here even if they are at a pitching disadvantage on paper against an Astros team that is no stranger to winning big games on the road.

How to Watch Houston Astros vs Baltimore Orioles 

• What: Houston Astros vs Baltimore Orioles
• When: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:05 PM ET
• Where: Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
• How to Watch: TBS