Last time the Blue Jays and Orioles met, both teams were in the middle of a roster shuffle. As the trade deadline came right in the middle of the last series, both teams were approaching in different directions.
This time, the season series is on the line, as the Orioles took three of four in Baltimore to improve to 6-4 on the season against their fellow AL East bird foe. With one victory, the O’s will take the season series for the second consecutive year.
The Orioles (67-46) are tied atop the AL East 15.5 games ahead of the Blue Jays (51-61), who have spent a good portion of the season in the cellar. The Birds are in a tie for first place with the New York Yankees.
Baltimore will open the series by sending Grayson Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86 ERA) to the bump. G-Rod has held the Jays to a slash line of .250/.291/.462/.753 while going 2-0 in two starts against the AL East Rivals. He has allowed six runs (four earned) across 12.2 innings, good for a 2.84 ERA.
Rodriguez will be followed by Trevor Rodgers (2-10, 4.76 ERA), who’s looking to rebound from his Oriole debut, and Dean Kremer (4-8, 4.39 ERA) to close out the series.
Toronto will send Chris Bassitt (8-10, 4.02 ERA), Bowden Francis (4-3, 5.64 ERA) and former Oriole Kevin Gausman (9-8, 4.56 ERA).
When the Orioles play the Blue Jays, you can be sure to see Ryan Mountcastle in the lineup, which this leads us right into our BATTERY ❌-FACTOR.
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
It’s no secret to anyone who watches the Orioles or Blue Jays that Ryan Mountcastle thrives against Toronto. Mounty boasts strong numbers against the Jays, and it’s his ability to be “that guy” that makes him our BATTERY ❌-FACTOR.
Mountcastle is batting . 311 with 74 hits, 18 homers, 52 RBIs and 40 runs scored in 62 games against the Blue Jays in his career. Mounty has the ability to put the team on his back and carry them with his bat in the middle of the lineup.
Finally starting to get some recognition for his fielding, the Blue Jay killer will be integral to Baltimore not only winning the series but taking the season series from Toronto.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
All three games have a 7:07 p.m. EST start time. You will find them on MASN2 or your favorite local Orioles Radio Network station.
Be sure to tune in and watch as the Orioles defend their AL East title and continue their division dominance. Will the Blue Jays slow the Orioles down? It all starts tonight from Rogers Centre.
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!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on X – @SRJHeckman, and listen to the official podcast of The Baltimore Battery, The Final Strike, anywhere you get your podcasts!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment