Orioles at Astros
The reigning World Series champion Houston Astros appear to have picked up right where they left off – with great pitching and timely hitting. The Astros aim for a fourth straight victory and a three-game sweep of the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday afternoon.
Houston erupted for five runs in the seventh inning on Tuesday after Baltimore had tied the game while Josh Reddick belted two homers – including a grand slam and drove in six runs in a 10-6 win. The Astros might not need much offense Wednesday as they hand the ball to ace Dallas Keuchel, who is 36-20 with a 2.87 ERA at home in his career and posted a 1.64 ERA in 10 starts last season. Baltimore’s struggling offense finally broke out Tuesday with season highs in runs and hits (12). Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones each had a homer among their three hits, but slugger Chris Davis continued his poor start, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts to drop his batting average to .050.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.50)
Bundy was dominant on Opening Day, holding Minnesota to five hits and a walk over seven innings in a no-decision. The 25-year-old struck out seven and generated 15 swinging strikes. Bundy has had trouble with the Astros, allowing eight runs over 5 1/3 frames in one start and one relief appearance.
Keuchel didn’t have his best stuff in his season debut at Texas, allowing three runs and seven hits over six innings. The 2015 Cy Young Award winner surrendered a home run to Nomar Mazara – a rare homer allowed to a left-handed batter, as he has served up more than three in a season only once in his career. Keuchel is 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston pitchers have registered 62 strikeouts through six contests, including 22 in the first two games of the series.
2. The Orioles have lost 13 of their last 15 meetings with the Astros, including eight straight at Minute Maid Park.
3. The Astros’ 5-1 start is their best since also winning five of their first six games in 1997.