Houston Astros vs Baltimore Orioles Picks and Predictions August 17th 2025

Houston Astros vs Baltimore Orioles August 17th 2025

The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. The game is scheduled for Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 2:10 PM. The Orioles have a record of 56-67 and are ranked fifth in the AL East. They are coming off a loss and have a 5-5 record in their last ten games.

The Astros hold a 69-54 record, leading the AL West division. They have won their last game and have a 6-4 record in their last ten games. The starting pitchers are Dean Kremer for the Orioles and Cristian Javier for the Astros. The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with clear skies.

Orioles vs Astros Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros
• Venue: Daikin Park in Houston, TX
• Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
• Betting Odds: Orioles Moneyline +113, Astros Moneyline -134, Orioles Runline +1.5 (-187), Astros Runline -1.5 (+155), Total Over 8.5 (-105), Total Under 8.5 (-115)

The Orioles Can Win If…

The Baltimore Orioles are coming off a close 5-4 loss against the Houston Astros. Dylan Carlson stood out with a home run and a triple, driving in two runs. Jackson Holliday also contributed with a home run, showing the team’s ability to hit for power.

The Orioles have demonstrated solid power this season, ranking 9th in home runs with 149. Their slugging percentage of .404 places them 12th in the league. With players like Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson in the lineup, the Orioles have the potential to score runs quickly.

On the mound, Dean Kremer will start for the Orioles. He has a record of 8-9 with an ERA of 4.17. Kremer’s ability to keep hitters off balance could be key in securing a win for the Orioles.

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros recently won a close game against the Baltimore Orioles, finishing 5-4. Jason Alexander pitched six innings, allowing only three hits and two runs. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa were key hitters, with Altuve hitting a home run.

Houston’s batting average of .256 ranks third in the league, showing their ability to hit consistently. They also have a strong pitching staff, with a team ERA of 3.77, placing them eighth. Cristian Javier, with an ERA of 3.60, will start the next game, providing a solid chance for a win.

Jeremy Peña is a standout player with a batting average of .317 and 13 home runs. Christian Walker leads the team with 65 RBIs, giving the Astros a powerful lineup. With these players and their recent performances, the Astros have a good chance of winning the upcoming game.

The Lean

The Astros are favored with a moneyline of -134. My model projects the Astros to win with a score of 5-4. The Astros have a better team batting average and earned run average, which supports picking them to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs. My model predicts a combined score of 9 runs. Given the offensive capabilities and pitching stats, the recommendation is to take the over at 8.5 (-105).

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Astros turn to Cristian Javier in series-deciding game vs. Orioles

The Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles will close out their three-game series Sunday afternoon with plenty on the line. Houston evened the set on Saturday with a hard-fought 5-4 win in 12 innings, a game that showcased the team’s growing depth and resilience. Now, Cristian Javier takes the mound in his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery, aiming to secure a series victory for the defending AL West leaders.

Manager Joe Espada praised his club’s ability to grind out wins with contributions from new arrivals like Carlos Correa and Ramon Urias, both added at the trade deadline. “You have different heroes every single day stepping up, staying together,” Espada said. “In a long season like this, you need everyone pulling the same rope, and we are doing just that.”

Meanwhile, Baltimore will counter with right-hander Dean Kremer, who is coming off one of his best starts of the year. The Orioles are battling in a competitive AL East and need Kremer to keep them in contention against an Astros team that has found ways to win close games.

Pitching Matchup – Astros vs. Orioles (Aug. 18, 2025)

Astros Await Yordan Alvarez’s Return

The Astros also received encouraging news Saturday regarding slugger Yordan Alvarez, who has been sidelined since May 3 with a fractured right hand. Alvarez is expected to rejoin the team in Houston on Sunday after completing his rehab assignment in Florida. Espada said the team will evaluate him upon arrival: “Stay put. We’ll see how he feels … and we’ll see where we go after we see him (Sunday).”

With Houston already surging, Alvarez’s return could give their offense a major lift down the stretch.

Orioles Youth Movement on Display

The Orioles, meanwhile, continue to showcase their impressive player development pipeline. On Saturday, outfielder Dylan Beavers made his MLB debut, collecting his first career hit. Ranked as Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Beavers joins a wave of young talent that includes Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, and Jackson Holliday.

“As you look at our lineup … there’s a lot of players that are signed and developed by the **Orioles,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Our scouting first and player development second … they’ve drafted those players and helped them get to a point where they can come here to Houston and compete against a team that’s in first place.”

Series Outlook

Houston has dominated at home this season, but the Orioles will rely on Kremer’s track record of success against the Astros to avoid dropping another series. For Houston, the spotlight is on Javier, who looks to continue his comeback story while keeping his team atop the MLB playoff race.

With both teams eyeing October, Sunday’s clash could be a preview of a postseason showdown.