Astros vs Orioles Preview: New Era vs Fun Defense

The Houston Astros are entering a new era this season. After their ace Framber Valdez left the team, Hunter Brown stepped up as the rotation's new leader. Because the pitching staff is in transition, Houston brought in Tatsuya Imai from Japan to help anchor the rotation. However, the Astros still have a major advantage: Josh Hader, one of baseball's most dominant closers. If Hader stays healthy, he can shut down close games in the late innings. Meanwhile, the team is struggling with a 11-19 record and injured players like Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena limited to just one game each. Despite these challenges, the Astros have strong hitters ready to compete.

Gunnar Henderson is one of baseball's brightest young stars. Although his home run total dropped from 37 to 17 this season, he made up for it by stealing a career-high 30 bases. His combination of power and speed makes him incredibly dangerous on the field. Pete Alonso joined the Orioles this offseason as a five-year signing, bringing elite power hitting. Because Alonso plays at least 152 games each season, the team can count on him to stay in the lineup. The Baltimore Orioles beat the Astros 5-3 in their last meeting, with Henderson and Alonso combining for late runs. These two leaders are working to bring Baltimore back into playoff contention.

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries heading into Thursday's matchup. Houston's Yordan Alvarez, a world-class hitter, appeared in just one game so far. When healthy, Alvarez is one of the most dangerous middle-of-the-order hitters in baseball. Jeremy Pena, the Astros' shortstop, also has played only once despite his impressive track record. The young infielder won MVP awards during Houston's 2021 championship run and earned a Gold Glove during his rookie season. Meanwhile, Baltimore's Ryan Noda and Heston Kjerstad are dealing with injuries. Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso will need to carry the offensive load. The Orioles improved to 14-15, while Houston sits at 11-19, making this a critical game for both squads.