The Baltimore Orioles and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game set between these teams this week. In the Monday opener, Baltimore managed a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Baltimore played the Blue Jays over the weekend, winning Friday but dropping the other three games. In the Monday opener versus Houston, the O’s notched 15 hits on the way to a 9-7 win. Thomas Eshelman went 3.2 innings with two earned on five hits and three walks.
The O’s are sending out Travis Lakins for the starting role on Tuesday. This year Lakins is 1-4 with a 5.81 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
Over on the Astros’ side, they played the Tigers over the weekend, winning two of the four games for a split. In the Monday game, Houston showed some life in the ninth inning with three runs but couldn’t complete the comeback. Zack Greinke lasted 5.0 innings with eight hits, three earned, one walk and four Ks.
For the starter slot in the Tuesday matchup the Astros are sending out Jose Urquidy. Over his 76.0 innings this year, Urquidy has 60 hits, 28 earned runs, 11 homers allowed, 13 walks, 66 Ks and a 3.32 ERA.
The Orioles are 23-47 in their last 70 Tuesday games and 26-60 in their last 86 versus the AL West. Baltimore is 17-44 in their last 61 in game two of a series and 47-124 in their last 171 road games versus a right-handed starter.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 4-0 in their last four Tuesday games and 37-14 in their last 51 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Houston is 86-38 in their last 124 home games and the under is 4-1 in their last five in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Astros. Urquidy had a rough outing June 5 versus the Blue Jays (4.1 innings; six earned) but since then he’s been solid with five earned on 11 hits over his last three starts during a span of 21.0 innings. Urquidy has gone 7.0 frames in each of his last three as well. I like him to keep it going and put Houston in a good spot.