Astros' Jose Altuve Ready to Excel Against Orioles in Baltimore Showdown

First Inning

As the Astros prepare to face off against the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, all eyes will be on Jose Altuve, the standout second baseman. Altuve's recent performances have been a mixed bag, but his potential to turn things around is undeniable. Over the past three games, Altuve has struggled with a batting average of .000 in each game against both the Tigers and Orioles. Despite this slump, his fielding percentage remains impeccable at 1.0 in two of those games, showcasing his defensive prowess.

On the other side of the diamond, Dylan Beavers from the Orioles has been making waves with his offensive capabilities. In their last encounter with the Astros, Beavers hit an impressive .333 average with a home run and two RBIs. His slugging percentage of 1.333 and OPS of 1.833 are numbers that could pose a significant threat to Houston's pitching staff.

Middle Innings

The middle innings will likely see some strategic pitching matchups as both teams aim to gain an edge. For the ‘Stros, Framber Valdez had a challenging outing against Detroit with an ERA of 12.6 and WHIP of 2.2 over five innings pitched. However, relievers like Kaleb Ort and Bryan King have shown resilience with zero earned runs across their appearances.

Meanwhile, Brandon Young from Baltimore had a rough start against Houston previously with an ERA of 11.813 over four innings pitched but will be looking for redemption in this upcoming clash.

Late Innings

As we approach the late innings, expect key players to watch Astros vs Orioles include Victor Caratini behind the plate for Houston who boasts a solid batting average of .500 in one game against Baltimore while maintaining steady defense.

For Baltimore, Gunnar Henderson has been consistent at shortstop with no errors across recent games and hitting averages that suggest he could be pivotal in turning double plays or sparking late-game rallies.

The matchup between these two teams promises exciting baseball action filled with rising stars in Astros vs Orioles looking to make their mark on this season's standings.

Fans can catch all this action live on MASN as these two powerhouses collide on August 23rd at 7:05 PM ET in Baltimore. Don't miss out on what promises to be one of this season's key matchups Astros vs Orioles! Share your thoughts and predictions for this thrilling showdown!