MLB Baseball
|
|
|
| 5:10 PM PT6:10 PM MT7:10 PM CT8:10 PM ET20:10 ET0:10 GMT8:10 5:10 PM MST7:10 PM EST7:40 PM VEN4:10 UAE (+1)6:10 PM CT, September 18, 2023 Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas Attendance: 34,456 |
Division leaders Astros, Orioles square off in Houston
Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros
- The Orioles and Astros have split the 16 meetings since 2021, with Houston taking four of the last five, including two of three at Camden Yards last month. Baltimore has won six of the last eight meetings at Minute Maid Park dating back to June 2019 after dropping each of the previous 10 there.
- Baltimore walked off Tampa Bay on Sunday to split a four-game set with the Rays to maintain the two-game lead in the AL East. The Orioles clinched a playoff berth earlier Sunday with the Rangers' loss, their first since 2016.
- Gunnar Henderson went 3-for-5 with a homer in Saturday's win, his fifth homer in 16 games this month -- tied for fourth in the AL; Jose Altuve leads with seven. Henderson leads all rookies with 27 homers this season, tied for third-most by a rookie in franchise history behind Ryan Mountcastle (33 in 2021) and Cal Ripken Jr. (28 in 1982).
- The Astros dropped two of three at Kauffman Stadium despite tallying 28 hits over the series, including five home runs. The Astros lead MLB with a .277 average this month; Baltimore ranks second at .271.
- Justin Verlander has allowed seven homers over his last three starts after allowing none of the previous three and just two over his last seven. The veteran has a 5.06 ERA in five starts at Minute Maid Park this season and has allowed eight longballs in those games.
- John Means took the loss in his season debut Tuesday after allowing five hits -- including two homers -- and three runs over five innings. Means allowed 30 homers in his last full season in 2021, tied for fifth-most in the AL that season.
By definition, the Houston Astros salvaged what was a lost week against the worst teams in the majors with a 7-1 road victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, a win that set the stage for a crucial final homestand of the regular season.
Houston (84-66) lost four of six games against the Royals and Oakland Athletics, the only two 100-loss teams in the majors. Yet, despite their struggles, the Astros extended their lead in the American League West to 1 1/2 games after the Texas Rangers lost 9-2 on Sunday to the Cleveland Guardians, who completed a surprising three-game series sweep.
The Astros will host the Baltimore Orioles (93-56) and Royals in a six-game homestand starting Monday against Baltimore. After finally securing first place in the division two weeks ago, the Astros have labored to create a cushion over their AL West rivals larger than 2 1/2 games. They should consider themselves fortunate that their recent woes haven't been more punitive.
"It was big," Astros manager Dusty Baker said of the sweep-averting win. "And also the fact that we finally gained some ground on Texas."
Right-hander Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.39 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros on Monday. He is 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA over eight starts with Houston following his trade-deadline acquisition from the New York Mets. Verlander has struggled this month, going 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA over three starts with seven home runs allowed in 20 innings. He won his last four starts of August while pitching to a 2.86 ERA during that stretch.
Verlander is 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA over 24 career starts against the Orioles. In his previous start against Baltimore on Sept. 22, 2022, Verlander allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts over six innings in a 2-0 road loss.
Left-hander John Means (0-1, 5.40) will make his second start of the season on Monday for the Orioles. He made his season debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- with one strikeout over five innings in a 5-2 loss. He threw 75 pitches, 55 for strikes.
It marked Means' first major league appearance since April 13, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to his start against the Cardinals to complete his return from Tommy John surgery.
Means will make his first career appearance against the Astros. He is 5-3 with a 1.99 ERA and eight quality starts in 11 career starts against the AL West.
The Orioles clinched their first postseason berth since 2016 on Sunday. They added to the good vibes with a 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday that secured a split of the four-game series and reestablished the Orioles' two-game lead in the AL East.
The division title is in sight for the Orioles, whose season has been a rousing success. After finishing in fourth or last place in the AL East in each of the past six seasons, their rapid climb to the top has been one of the surprises of this season.
"They're a confident group," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said of his club. "A lot of them were high-round picks. It's probably their makeup. They're confident guys."
--Field Level Media
Updated September 18, 2023
© 2023 by STATS PERFORM.Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS PERFORM is strictly prohibited.