The Baltimore Orioles went from surprise upstarts to AL East leaders. Predicted to finish last this season in the East, the Orioles have soared to new heights and surpassed everyone’s expectations outside of Charm City.
With their mounting momentum towards a postseason birth, the AL-East-leading Birds will take on their division rival birds, the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles are headed north to Toronto for a four-game series against the third place Blue Jays, who sit 5.5 games back of the Orioles. The O’s have won five of six games against Toronto heading into this series.
The Blue Jays will roll out a new look rotation this time around. Chris Bassitt will open the series and will be followed by Hyun-Jin Ryu, making his season debut, Yusei Kikuchi and close with Kevin Gausman. Toronto will utilize a six-man rotation going forward.
The Orioles will open with Kyle Gibson, who is 6-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 12 career starts against Toronto. Gibby will be followed by Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez and a to be determined pitcher in the series finale.
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
There can only be one BATTERY ❌-FACTOR for this series, and that is Ryan Mountcastle.
Mountcastle has feasted on Toronto throughout his career, as he has a 1.113 OPS against the Blue Jays, his highest against any team. It also would go a long way to getting Mounty back on track and being the offensive force the Orioles need for their postseason push.
Missing the last series against the Blue Jays due to vertigo, Mountcastle will be the key to how this series flows and turns out against the Blue Jays. He’s been hot lately, so let’s see what he can do against a team he is known to own.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUPS
Baltimore Orioles (64-41): Managed by Brandon Hyde
1. Adley Rutschman C
2. Gunnar Henderson 3B
3. Antony Santander RF
4. Ryan O’Hearn 1B
5. Ryan Mountcastle DH
6. Adam Frazier 2B
7. Austin Hays LF
8. Colton Cowser CF
9. Jorge Mateo SS
SP. Kyle Gibson RHP (9-6, 4.68 ERA)
Toronto Blue Jays (59-47): Managed by John Schneider
1. Whit Merrifield 2B
2. Bo Bichette SS
3. Brandon Belt DH
4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
5. Matt Chapman 3B
6. Daulton Varsho LF
7. Alejandro Kirk C
8. Cavan Biggio RF
9. Kevin Kiermaier CF
SP. Chris Bassitt RHP (10-5, 3.91 ERA)
The first three games, starting tonight, are slated for a 7:07 p.m. EST, while Thursday’s game is set for a 3:07 p.m. EST.
How do you see this series playing out? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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