Astros at Orioles
The Houston Astros look every bit like a World Series contender and bring a six-game winning streak into the weekend. The Astros will try to keep rolling and take advantage of a team sliding rapidly in the other direction when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.
Houston is averaging nine runs during its winning streak and pounded the Colorado Rockies 14-3 on Wednesday behind a homer and a franchise record-tying eight RBI from Yuli Gurriel, who finished the two-game series 4-for-7 with three homers and 11 RBIs. "You get that feeling every time he comes up that something positive is going to happen, and he's locked in on pitch recognition and staying in the at-bat and having a really good plan," Astros manager AJ Hinch told reporters of Gurriel. "He's a big part of the culture in here. Everybody in that room is really excited and happy for him and he's doing his thing quite often." Gurriel and his powerful teammates could be in for another strong series against the Orioles, who were outscored 31-11 in three games - all losses - against the New York Yankees this week and watched the pitching staff serve up 16 homers in the series. Right-hander Dylan Bundy will try to pick up the struggling Baltimore staff Friday while the Astros hand the ball to veteran lefty Wade Miley.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston, MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wade Miley (10-4, 3.05 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (5-11, 5.35)
Miley is dominating of late and last worked Saturday against Seattle, allowing two runs and three hits in six innings while striking out six. The Louisiana native surrendered three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven turns to jump into fifth place in the American League in ERA. Miley, who played for Baltimore in 2016 and 2017, had little trouble with the Orioles lineup at home June 9, when he scattered six hits over six scoreless innings to pick up a win.
Bundy failed to complete six innings in either of his last two outings and escaped without a decision in each while allowing a total of six runs and 12 hits in 10 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old owns 112 strikeouts in 108 1/3 total innings but served up 24 home runs. Bundy held the Astros to three runs (two earned) and four hits while striking out six over six innings going up against Miley on June 9 but came away with a loss.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros RHP Ryan Pressly (knee) completed a rehab assignment and could rejoin the team this weekend.
2. Baltimore 1B/DH Chris Davis and manager Brandon Hyde had to be separated during a heated exchange in the dugout Wednesday.
3. Houston 3B Alex Bregman is 8-for-16 with seven runs scored over the last four games.