The Orioles stormed back with a 12-0 throttling of the Astros, leaving Houston’s playoff posture a question mark as Seattle looms. Baltimore’s offense clicked early and never cooled, backed by strong bullpen work through the game’s late innings. The lopsided result shifted the West race's potential margin as Sunday night’s slate could determine how far the Astros’ lead actually sits. Cristian Javier exited early for illness, and Houston’s bullpen surrendered the blowout. Chas McCormick even took the mound in the ninth, delivering a flawless frame that kept the crowd’s optimism intact.

Baltimore’s Kremer matched the offense with a composed outing, and the Orioles plates kept piling on behind a disciplined attack. Gunnar Henderson flashed his usual power and plate presence, while Jesús Sánchez and Jesús Sánchez’s teammate-driven defense helped pressure Houston’s defense at key moments. The night also highlighted the Orioles’ depth, as Jackson Holliday connected for a meaningful baserunner and added to Baltimore’s growing list of dynamic contributors.

Shawn Dubin’s rough patch continued, inflating his ERA to new levels as the fifth inning spiraled. Baltimore’s hits came in clusters, and the Astros’ late-inning defense couldn’t stem the tide. The decisive finish underscored the importance of staying healthy and maximizing bullpen efficiency amid a season-long injury wave in Houston. On the horizon, Houston travels to Detroit for a reunion with familiar faces, as Detroit reunites with Morton and Montero, and Houston counters with Arrighetti, Brown, and Valdez in a pivotal series shift.

Reunion time in Motor City promises a compelling narrative for fantasy owners: the Tigers’ rotation of Flaherty, Skubal, and Morton faces a Houston lineup led by Valdez, Arrighetti, and Brown. The drama isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about how these roster moves, health fortunes, and bullpen management will influence daily lineups, streamers, and bench depth as the stretch run approaches.