The final week of the season is here, and the Baltimore Orioles will welcome the Washington Nationals to open the final homestand with a two-game set.
Two teams who have had vastly different seasons will meet for the second round of the Battle of the Beltway. Since July 2021, the Orioles are 8-1 against the Nationals, including a two-game sweep with back-to-back shutouts back in April.
The Nationals are in search of their 70th win, having already improved 22 victories over last year. Though they are assured of a fifth straight last place finish, the young talent is providing hope for the future.
The Orioles are 97-59, with three being the number needed for two things to happen. With three victories, the Orioles will not only lock up the AL East for the first time since 2014 but will also win 100 games for the first time since 1980.
For the Orioles, they will send their top two pitchers to the mound for the series. Kyle Bradish (11-7, 3.01 ERA) and Grayson Rodriguez (6-4, 4.49 ERA) will be the starters, as they look to end the regular season on a good note before the postseason. The Nationals will counter with Josiah Gray (8-12, 4.00 ERA) and Patrick Corbin (10-14, 5.13 ERA).
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
The Orioles are closing in on a division title, needing any combination of three wins by them and losses by the Rays to secure the top seed and a first-round bye. The man to lead this charge is the heart and soul of the team, Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman is in the midst of an eight-game hit streak in which he is hitting .452 (14-for-31), including seven doubles and a home run. He has also driven in six runs and scored six times as well.
The 2023 All-Star’s steady plate discipline and overall team leadership, especially when working with his pitching staff, will give the Orioles the fire to not only take the steps to win the series but also secure an AL East Title.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
Both games have a 6:35 p.m. EST start time and will be shown on MASN. The march to the postseason continues. Will it include a division title?
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