The Baltimore Orioles are headed West. An 11-day, nine-game West Coast swing starts tonight, as the Orioles will take on the red hot Seattle Mariners for three games.
The Orioles are coming off a 4-2 homestand and have gone 6-3 to start the month of August. Since the start of July, the Birds are 23-12, one of the hottest teams in baseball.
Though they dropped their series with the Astros, the young Birds had Houston back against the wall in game one and very easily could have won the series, but this is why we play the game.
The Mariners have been even hotter than the O’s as of late. Having won seven straight games and opening the month winning seven of eight, Seattle is 24-10 since the start of July, climbing back into the postseason race.
The Orioles took two of three in June when these two teams last played. This will be the final meeting of this season, not including any postseason possibilities.
The Orioles will open up with Kyle Gibson (11-6, 4.50 ERA), who won his 100th career game last outing. He will be followed by lefty Cole Irvin (1-3, 5.44 ERA) and the O’s young ace Kyle Bradish (7-6, 3.19 ERA).
The Mariners will open with Luis Castillo (7-7, 3.21 ERA), who will be followed by George Kirby (10-8, 3.32 ERA) and rookie Bryce Miller (7-4, 4.20 ERA).
ROSTER MOVES
The Orioles made a handful of roster moves prior to the start of this series.
Firstly, the club reinstated outfielder Cedric Mullins from the 10-day injured list. Mullins hasn’t played since July 15 due to a right adductor groin strain. The 2021 All-Star is batting .259 with nine homers, 47 RBIs and 14 steals in 69 games this season.
Left-hander Nick Vespi has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Vespi has put up a 3.00 ERA and 7:1 strikeout to walk ratio over nine relief innings during his time in the big leagues this season. He will provide the team with a fresh left-handed bullpen arm after Danny Coulombe was placed on the 15-day IL with left bicep tendinitis.
Outfielder Ryan McKenna and right-hander Joey Krehbiel were both optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Mullins and Vespi.
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
The Orioles have been battling through some injuries, specifically in the outfield as of late. Cedric Mullins, his second stint, and Aaron Hicks were both lost to the IL, which prompted a recall of Ryan McKenna and Jorge Mateo playing some outfield. Needless to say, there was a drop off in production after losing both guys.
The Orioles announced they have reinstated Cedric Mullins ahead of the game tonight. Due to this, Mullins will be the BATTERY ❌-FACTOR for the series.
The Orioles were still able to be productive without Mullins in the lineup, but there was still a drop in production with Mullins not there. He was starting to heat up right before aggravating his leg and groin area.
As the postseason race heats up, Mullins’ return will be a welcome sight to the lineup as well as to the defense and presence he brings. This is why Mullins will be the deciding point in how the series turns.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
First pitch is slated for 10:10 p.m. EST Friday night. Saturday’s game is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. EST, with Sunday closing up with a 4:10 p.m. EST start time.
It’s playoff atmosphere baseball, and two of the hottest teams are set to clash for a weekend battle. Will the Birds sink the Mariners? It all starts tonight at T-Mobile Park.
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