The Houston Astros (81-45) will host the Baltimore Orioles (65-59) on Friday in the opening day of a three-game series. In 2021, these two teams split the six head to head games, with the road team winning every time.
After going 52-110 in 2021, the Baltimore Orioles have been one of the best stories in baseball this season. On Thursday night, with the O's trailing 3-2, Kyle Stowers hit his first career big league home run to lead off the ninth inning and tie the game. Baltimore would go on to win in the bottom of the 11th on a single by Anothyn Santander, who leads the Orioles with 22 home runs and 71 RBI.
NO BETTER TIME FOR YOUR FIRST MLB HOME RUN!! pic.twitter.com/N8FrZfgEdy
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 26, 2022
Baltimore trails Seattle by 2.5 games for the final wild-card spot in the American League. The Orioles now face the challenge of a tough road series to keep pace. Away from Camden Yards, Baltimore is 28-35 this season.
The Orioles are 17th in MLB averaging 4.3 runs per game, 15th with 129 home runs, and 11th with 73 stolen bases. The pitching staff is 15th with a 3.90 ERA. Kyle Bradish (1-5, 6.25 ERA) will make the start on Friday. Bradish is 1-1 with a 6.18 ERA in six road starts this season. Although not sensational, Bradish has pitched better over his last five starts, posting a 4.21 ERA and 27 strikeouts against nine walks in 25 2/3 innings. He has never faced the Astros before.