Series Preview: Orioles vs. Astros

The Baltimore Orioles look to leave behind their lifeless start to the season against the Minnesota Twins as they had out on the road to face the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. Let’s check out the pitching matchups:

 

Game One: Chris Tillman (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (0-0, -.– ERA)

Chris Tillman will make his 2018 debut after an abysmal 2017 season. Tillman went 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA and 1.892 WHIP in 24 starts last season. Tillman was brought back to Baltimore on a 1 year/$3 million deal with incentives in February in hope of re-establishing his value for free agency next winter. Alex Bregman has owned Tillman so far in his young career, hitting two home runs and driving in three in his only three at-bats against him.

 

Charlie Morton will get the ball for the Astros in his 2018 debut. Morton is coming off a career best season, going 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.193 ERA in 25 starts last season. Morton, spending all but 2017 in the National League, has not faced much of the Orioles roster before.

 

Game Two: Mike Wright Jr. (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Mike Wright Jr. will get the start for the Orioles in the middle game of the series. Wright has bounced around from Triple-A Norfolk to the majors and from the rotation to the pen multiple times the past two seasons, but will look to prove his worth against the Astros Tuesday night. Wright last made a major league start in 2016, but went 5-7 with a 3.92 ERA in Triple-A last season over 19 appearances (17 starts). Wright has only faced the Astros once, going five innings allowing five runs on eight hits in 2015.

 

Justin Verlander will make his second start of the season for the Astros in the middle game of a three-game set. Verlander was dominant on Opening Day against the Texas Rangers, going six innings allowing no runs while striking out five. Verlander was acquired by the Astros in August last season, and has been dominant since then, going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 5 starts with the Astros last season. Adam Jones has hit Verlander well throughout his career, batting .435 with three home runs and seven RBI in 23 at-bats.

 

Game Three: Dylan Bundy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Dylan Bundy will get the ball in the series finale for his second start of the season. Bundy was lights out on Opening Day, going seven scoreless innings while striking out seven, but did not factor into the decision. Bundy did not fare well in his only start against the Astros last season, going 5 1/3 innings while giving up seven runs.

 

Dallas Keuchel will take the mound for the Astros Wednesday afternoon in the final game of the three-game set. Keuchel had a nice 2017 season, going 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA in over 23 starts. Keuchel went six innings allowing three runs while striking out four against the Rangers on Friday in a 5-1 loss. Look for lefty-killer Danny Valencia to be in the lineup Wednesday, as he is hitting .364 against Keuchel with two home runs and four RBI in 22 at-bats.

 

The Orioles have struggled with the Astros in previous seasons, losing the season series in 6-1 in 2016 and 5-1 in 2017.  The Orioles will need the bats to come alive in Houston, as they have scored an American league low five runs through their first three games.

Please follow and like us:

You may also like...

Follow by Email