Bob Haynie: Bring On The Astros
On Tuesday, for the first time as American League rivals, the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros will get after each other as they start a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The two teams met nine times in interleague play with the Orioles winning the last six games consecutively.
This is Houston's first season in the AL after residing in the National League for the first 51 years of their existence (They were called the Colt .45's from 62-64).
With a record of 20-37, it has not been an ideal year for manager Bo Porter and his young team. They do, however, head into this series with Baltimore having won five in a row.
The Orioles won two dramatic games over the weekend to take their three game set over the Detroit Tigers.
Baltimore continues to mash the baseball as they lead the Major Leagues in HR's (81) and are second in batting average (.275) and runs scored (287).
This doesn't bode well for a Houston pitching staff that is last in the majors in ERA (5.12) and HR's allowed (79. The Orioles have allowed 78, by the way).
Let's not forget that the Birds are 17-12 on the road while the Astros are a putrid 9-21 at home.
The fact that the Astros have won five-straight is very touching, but the Orioles should hammer this team into submission.
With the Rays looming in Florida at the end of the week, it would behoove Baltimore to do just that.
