The Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are set for a rare treat today—a traditional doubleheader at Camden Yards, thanks to last night's rainout. For the Astros, who sit at 11-19, and the Orioles at 14-15, this twin bill offers a chance to reset and build momentum in a tightly contested series.
In Game 2, all eyes will be on Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr., who takes the mound for his sixth start of the season. McCullers enters with a 1-2 record and a 6.75 ERA, but history is on his side against Baltimore. He boasts a perfect 3-0 career mark against the Orioles, posting a 3.34 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 35 innings. Interestingly, McCullers has a bit of déjà vu here: he last pitched in a doubleheader between these two clubs on Sept. 29, 2018, at Camden Yards, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings in relief. That day, the Astros swept the Orioles, and they'll be hoping for a repeat performance.
McCullers is coming off a tough outing against the Yankees last Friday, where he allowed five earned runs over five innings. But today, he's just 0.2 innings away from reaching 800 career innings—a milestone that adds extra motivation. And here's a fun fact for baseball trivia lovers: McCullers and his father, Lance McCullers Sr., were both selected 41st overall in their respective MLB Drafts (2012 and 1982). The elder McCullers enjoyed a seven-year big-league career, making this a special father-son connection in baseball history.
Today's doubleheader marks the Astros' first since July 21, 2022, when they swept the New York Yankees at home in a makeup for the delayed 2022 season. Doubleheaders are a rarity for Houston, especially at Daikin Park, thanks to their retractable roof. The last time they faced Baltimore in a twin bill was that same 2018 date at Camden Yards, resulting in another Astros sweep. In Game 2 of that doubleheader, McCullers earned a hold in a 5-2 win, setting the stage for today's rematch.
This three-game series wraps up today, and the Astros are looking to improve on their 4-3 record against the Orioles in 2025, which included a 3-1 mark at Camden Yards last August. The two teams will meet again for a three-game set at Daikin Park from July 17-19. But before that, there's plenty of action today—and a special birthday shoutout to former Astros manager Phil Garner, who would have turned 77. On this day in Astros history, back in 1982, the team played at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Let's see if today's doubleheader adds another memorable chapter.