The Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros conclude their three game set this afternoon with a 2:10pm ET start at Minute Maid Park in Texas. The latest MLB Free Picks & Odds at Sportsbook.ag have the visiting Orioles listed as a -143 moneyline favorite in today’s rubber match; the Over/Under is set at 8.5 runs (Over favored at -115). The Astros are drawing +133 odds to win their third consecutive series.
Houston saw its shocking six game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday when Baltimore took the series opener 4-1. The Astros rebounded in a big way last night, though, pounding their way to an 11-7 victory.
Despite Houston’s recent uptick, the odds makers are expecting a loss for the club in this afternoon’s getaway day affair. Astros starter Bud Norris could throw a wrench in those prognostications should he continue to pitch as he has over the last two weeks.
Norris, who is 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts this season, has allowed just 17 hits and two earned runs in his last three outings (19 innings pitched), helping Houston procure a 2-1 record in meetings with the Royals, Rockies, and Angels.
The Orioles, who, at 33-26, are 2.5 games behind AL East leader Boston, will counter Norris with 29 year old righty Miguel Gonzalez. Gonzalez brings some less than inspiring numbers to the hill today as his ERA and WHIP are a pedestrian 4.33 and 1.33 respectively.
Gonzalez had, however, turned in three straight quality performances before his last outing, though, allowing 15 hits, three walks, and six earned runs over 18.2 innings (2.96 ERA, 0.98 WHIP). That run ended last Friday against the Tigers; Gonzalez yielded seven hits and five earned runs over six innings in a 7-5 loss to Detroit.
Notable Trends: The Orioles are 1-9 in their last 10 games as a road favorite in the month of June.
Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros MLB Odds:
Baltimore Orioles -1.5 (+110), Over 8.5 (-115), -143 (Moneyline)
Houston Astros +1.5 (-130), Under 8.5 (-105), +133 (Moneyline)
MLB Free Picks: Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros BettingWhat baseball bettors need to know about Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros on Thursday (6/06/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Bryan Leonard, with Vegas Runner.
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