Many pundits have the Orioles finishing behind the New York Yankees and some finishing as low as third in the mighty AL East.
However, the Birds usually keep that kind of noise outside and let their game do the talking.
The Orioles opened the season facing the Los Angeles Angels, and they broke out in a big way. Though they lost the final game of the three-game set, they did take two games from the visitors and picked up three quality starts to begin the season.
Let’s see how the games unfolded:
Game 1: O’s 11, Angels 3
Corbin Burnes made his Orioles debut and did not disappoint. He would allow just one hit, a Mike Trout solo home run, while completing six innings with 11 strikeouts.
What Burnes (W, 1-0) provided from the mound sparked the offense as they pounded out 10 hits and 11 runs.
Anthony Santander blasted a two-run home run while picking up four RBIs on the day. Cedric Mullins hit a three-run homer, and Adley Rutschman picked up two hits and two RBIs on the day.
Rutschman, who also walked, reached base eight straight times on Opening Day, dating back to last season’s opening 5-for-5 performance in Boston.
Game 2: O’s 13, Angels 4
Grayson Rodriguez picked up where Burnes left off, matching up with his own dominating performance in game two.
Rodriguez (W, 1-0) went six innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while tying a career-high in strikeouts with nine.
Gunnar Henderson kick-started the offense, leading off the game with a solo home run. He would finish a double short of the cycle while picking up three RBIs.
Santander picked up his second home run of the season with a three-run shot, giving him seven RBIs through the first two games.
Ryan Mountcastle had two doubles and three RBIs, and Jordan Westburg picked up two RBIs on the day as well.
Game 3: O’s 1, Angels 4
Tyler Wells got off to a rocky start before settling in, as he allowed four runs (three earned) through the first two innings before retiring the final 14 batters he faced.
Wells (L, 0-1) would pick up a quality start, finishing six innings while striking out seven along the way.
The offense was unable to get much going, collecting just three hits on the day. The lone run came from a bases loaded walk by Henderson, who also made a couple of defensive highlights.
The Birds, although dropping the final game, win their first series of the year and have given Birdland some excitement offensively, along with getting strong performances from the starters.
Battery ❌-FACTOR
The 2024 season has arrived with high expectations. This is why the first Battery ❌-FACTOR was how the Orioles would respond to those expectations.
Right out of the gate, the young Orioles proved they are ready to provide some excitement this season. Though they dropped the final game, the Orioles scored 25 runs in three games and received three straight quality starts from their starting staff.
With a lineup that is dangerous from top to bottom, Rutschman and Henderson have proved they are ready to lead the way, with Santander picking up where he left off last season.
ROSTER UPDATES
The Orioles placed left-hander Cionel Pérez on the 15-day injured list with right oblique soreness prior to the final game of the series, recalling right-hander Jonathan Heasley as the replacement.
It was also reported during the game that outfielder Ryan McKenna and utility man Nick Maton both cleared waivers and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Tyler Nevin, on the other hand, was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.
The Orioles return to action on Monday, as they will welcome the revamped Kanas City Royals to town for a three-game set.
Will the Royals carry over their offensive explosion from Sunday, or will the Orioles get back on track and dominate like they did against the Angels? First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. EST from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
What are your thoughts on this series victory? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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