MLB Baseball
2026-07-18 - Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Saturday 18th July 2026 - Scheduled 4:10pm EST
9:10pm (British Time)
Preview
The All Star Break is over and teams are now thinking about the trade deadline coming up in early August and further ahead to the post-season. After a difficult 'first half' of the season, the Baltimore Orioles (47-51) have picked up some momentum and will take inspiration from American League East rivals Boston Red Sox.
Boston have won eleven in a row to move into contention for Wild Card spots, while the Baltimore Orioles have won five in a row and are only 2 games out of the Wild Card positions themselves. They are 10 games out of the lead in the Division, but the Orioles have given them motivation to remain strong at the trade deadline, although there is still work to do.
They won a tight game on Friday night to open this series and the Houston Astros (47-52) have now slipped to 3 games behind in the American League West. This could be an important series when it comes to the final shakeup in the Wild Card positions and the Astros will turn to Spencer Arrighetti in their bid to just get themselves back on track.
The third year pitcher is set for his sixteen start in 2026 and Spencer Arrighetti has a 7-5 record and 4.50 ERA on his return to action. The All Star Break feels like it has come at a good time for Arrighetti who gave up eight runs in 4 Innings thrown in his last start and picked up the decision loss.
Spencer Arrighetti has been having some issues on the mound for a while and he will be hoping the break has allowed him to clear those up. Since earning his last decision win at the end of May, Spencer Arrighetti has a 0-4 record and an 8.74 ERA in seven starts made.
Last year, Spencer Arrighetti threw almost 6 completed Innings against the Baltimore Orioles and restricted them to two runs, but he did suffer the decision loss despite a personal strong effort.
Baltimore will counter by giving the ball to Trevor Rogers who has a 6-7 record and 4.48 ERA in seventeen starts this season, but who entered the All Star Break in strong form.
In the same time span in which his opposite number has struggled, Trevor Rogers has made seven starts and put together a 4-1 record and 1.73 ERA and that has given the Orioles every chance to win games. He has pitched into the Sixth Inning in all but one of those starts to keep the pressure away from the bullpen and Trevor Rogers contained the Houston Astros to a single run in 7 Innings thrown when last facing this opponent in 2025.
The Orioles took the opener in this series and they have won four of the last five between these American League rivals.
Prediction
This is a game that the layers are finding it hard to separate the two teams, but Trevor Rogers can lay a stronger foundation for success in favour of the Baltimore Orioles and that can play out on the return to action after the All Star Break.
The Pick :
Houston Astros 2-4 Baltimore Orioles
