The Orioles are back in Charm City, the sweepless streak lives and new team owner David Rubenstein is the guest splasher.
There is a lot to look forward to this weekend at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. However, the three-game match-up against the reigning National League Champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks, takes the cake.
The Birds come in at 24-12 while holding a half-game lead for the AL East. The strong beginning to the schedule really doesn’t let up at all against the reigning NL Pennant winners from a season ago, even with an 18-20 record.
After what seems like nothing but left-handed pitchers have been facing the O’s, the offense will finally face a trio of right-handers in Brandon Pfaadt (1-2, 4.61), Ryne Nelson (2-2, 5.23 ERA) and Zac Gallen (4-2, 2.84 ERA).
The Orioles will throw the back end of the rotation, which has been lights out recently. It begins with Cole Irvin (3-1, 2.86 ERA) in game one, then John Means (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Dean Kremer (3-2, 3.57 ERA) in games two and three, respectively.
With the trio of right-handers on the mound, this series can be a good time for Colton Cowser to get back on track, while hopefully seeing a little more of Heston Kjerstad in the lineup.
Gunnar Henderson found the long ball again in game two against the Nats in DC on Wednesday, and getting him to heat up again can change this offense by itself. Henderson is hitting just .185 with one home run in his last seven games.
BATTERY ❌️-FACTOR
The most important thing in this series is simple, and it is our BATTERY ❌️-FACTOR.
The O’s offense has to score runs for their starters. The rotation has been amazing in the last nine games. However, they have recorded two losses.
Even with stellar pitching, the Orioles have been fighting in these close games because starters are leaving after five to six innings in line for losses. This has put the bullpen in extreme stress when every pitch is high-leverage.
The offense needs to see themselves deeper into counts earlier in the game, forcing better situations to hit and to score runs before the late innings.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
This inter-league series begins on Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. EST on Apple TV+, with game two set for 4:05 p.m. EST on MASN2 and game three scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EST also on MASN2. Each of the three games is also available to listen to on your local Orioles Radio Network station.
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 (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Like Justin’s content? Follow him on X – @orioles4life96
The Baltimore Battery 
Leave a comment