The Houston Astros rebounded from a lopsided 13-run defeat to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday by securing a 4-1 victory over the same team the following day. This win, combined with losses by the Seattle Mariners to the Baltimore Orioles, has positioned Houston with a 1½-game lead in the American League West. As the Astros prepare to conclude their six-game homestand, they face a significant three-game series against Baltimore starting Friday night.
Astros Focus on Maintaining Momentum Amid Challenges
Despite injuries taking a toll on their roster, the Astros have emphasized the importance of consistently winning series during the season’s final stretch. Manager Joe Espada highlighted the value of their recent success, stating,
“That’s three series in a row that we’ve won, I think that’s very important.”
Houston’s ongoing aim is to string together victories to sustain their postseason contention.
Framber Valdez to Start Series Opener Despite Recent Struggles
Framber Valdez, holding an 11-5 record with a 2.97 ERA, is set to start the opening game of the series against the Orioles on Friday. After a remarkable run that included going 10-0 over 13 starts with a 1.86 ERA, Valdez has stumbled recently, as the Astros have lost three consecutive games with him pitching. His last two starts resulted in 10 runs allowed (nine earned) and a 6.94 ERA. Over his previous eight outings, he gave up 11 runs, including 10 earned.
Valdez’s past performances against Baltimore show mixed results. He stands 1-1 with a 4.19 ERA over six appearances, having split decisions last season while posting a 2.84 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 12⅔ innings. In a home start against the Orioles on June 23, 2024, Valdez was effective, allowing just one run and striking out seven over seven innings during an 8-1 win.
Baltimore Starts Brandon Young Against Astros
The Orioles plan to start rookie right-hander Brandon Young, who has a challenging 0-6 record and a 6.70 ERA this season. After registering his first quality start on July 29 by allowing two runs in six innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, Young has struggled recently. In two starts this month, he surrendered eight runs (six earned) over 7⅔ innings, including only three innings pitched in a heavy 11-3 loss to the Athletics.
Young will face the Astros for the first time in his career. On the road this season, he is 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA across four starts.
Orioles Ride Strong Starting Pitching in Recent Wins
Baltimore secured a vital 5-3 victory over Seattle on Thursday, helped by right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano pitched 5⅓ innings, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two. The win followed a strong outing from Trevor Rogers on Wednesday, who held the Mariners to one run with six strikeouts over seven innings, snapping Seattle’s eight-game winning streak.
Third baseman Jordan Westburg praised his team’s pitching depth:
“Our starting pitching has been great recently. I know the season hasn’t gone exactly the way that we wanted it to, but I’ve been really proud and pleased with the way our starters have gone out there and competed. We haven’t scored a ton of runs behind them, but hopefully that will change.”
He added,
“These guys are bulldogs, and we appreciate it.”
Series Outcome Could Shape Playoff Race in AL West
This three-game contest between the Astros and Orioles carries high stakes, as Houston aims to extend its lead in the competitive American League West race. Framber Valdez’s ability to overcome his recent rough patch will be pivotal for the Astros, while Baltimore looks to use its strong pitching performances to grab wins on the road. The results could influence momentum heading into the season’s final weeks and impact postseason positioning for both clubs.