The Houston Astros are a top favorite with baseball odds today to repeat as World Champions. Last year the Astros had a Cinderella run to glory. Their upset win over the Los Angeles Dodgers stunned the experts. It also uplifted a hurricane ravaged city. Now their success is much more understandable. The Astros excellent pitching and timely hitting are fully comprehended and respected. The only question is of Houston can maintain betting value. With the public now on to them it will be a challenge. Meanwhile, Baltimore is a team that faces a long retreat that began last year.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros
Date and Time: Monday, April 2, 2018, 7:10 p.m. ET
Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orioles | +1½ (-105) | +183 (-105) |  |
| Astros | -1½ (-115) | -195 (-115) | |
| |||
Orioles vs. Astros TV Coverage: ESPN
Pitching Mound
Chris Tillman will get the start for Baltimore. Charlie Morton gets the call for Houston. Tillman is a 29-year-old that struggled badly last year. The right hander was 1-7 with a 7.84 earned run average. This is his first start of the season. Right hander Charlie Morton is 34 years of age. He was 14-7 with a 3.62 earned run average last year. Morton clearly gives Houston the pitching edge for baseball odds today.
Orioles
Under manager Buck Showalter the Orioles have enjoyed a resurgence. They have made the post season three times since 2012. In 2014 the O’s made it to the American League Championship Series. Baltimore lost the wild card playoff game in 2016. It was the beginning of a bad slide that ended with a 75-87 record last year. For 2018 the Orioles online sportsbook prospects remain dim. They did little to improve during the offseason.
Houston
For Houston the 2017 World Series title was their first ever. The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey made their run extraordinarily meaningful. It was the second time in three years that Houston made the post season. What is most ironic is that the Astros may be better this season. All key components return with the battle won confidence of a proven champion. In second baseman Jose Altuve Houston boasts one of the elite stars of the game. Altuve just inked a five-year $151 million extension.
Big name on the Field
Altuve was sensational last year. He batted .346 with a .957 OPS. Power was demonstrated with 39 doubles and 24 home runs. With 112 runs and 81 runs batted in he was a top producer. What is most scary for opponents is that Altuve is just now hitting his prime. Adding to the Astros lineup is cleanup hitter Carlos Correa. The shortstop powered to 25 doubles and 24 home runs last year. His OPS was .941. At the age of 23 Correa also has plenty of upside. This middle infield combination makes Houston absolutely lethal.
Matchup to Watch
Baseball adages include being strong up the middle and on the mound. Houston comes up aces in the regard. It is why they are such a favorite for baseball odds today. In the long run Baltimore is no match for the Astros. True, in a single game the O’s could post the win. But the numbers indicate it will be difficult.
Orioles vs. Astros MLB Betting Odds Picks
Houston is the complete package in this one and rates the call!
MLB Betting Online Pick: Houston Astros
MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Astros 6, Orioles 1