Rain threatens the Baltimore Orioles’ home opener for the second year in a row.
The O’s welcome AL East foe, the Boston Red Sox, to town for a three-game set before hitting the road once again. The Birds are coming off a series split with the Toronto Blue Jays, whereas the Red Sox are coming off a series loss in four games against the Texas Rangers.
The Orioles have shown their offense can be explosive, scoring 21 runs in their two victories. However, they also can be dormant, scoring just three runs combined in their two losses.
Jordan Westburg has been the early catalyst for the Birds with his strong start. Westy is slashing .462/.500/1.154/1.1654 with three home runs and three RBIs through the first series.
Against the Blue Jays, the Orioles smashed 10 home runs and scored 24 runs. The pitching did enough to secure the series split, but the offense couldn’t capitalize on opportunities, going 6-for-26 (.231) with runners in scoring position throughout the series.
The Birds will send second-year starter Cade Povich (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to open the series. He will be followed by Zach Eflin (1-0, 3.00 ERA) and Charlie Morton (0-1, 10.80 ERA).
The Red Sox will send left-handers Sean Newcomb (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Garrett Crochet (0-0, 3.60) and crafty right-hander Tanner Houck (0-1, 6.35 ERA) to counter the Orioles.
Opening Day festivities will start prior to game one, with gates opening at 11 a.m. It will be a short stay, however, as the Birds will hit the road for six more games after their series with Boston.
ROSTER MOVES
The Birds were given a tough blow before the start of this series, as it was announced that outfielder Colton Cowser would be placed on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb fracture.
The fracture occurred when Cowser slid into first base, trying to beat out a play. He was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning yesterday.
Switch-hitting outfielder Dylan Carlson, who had a fantastic spring with the O’s, has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and will wear No. 15.
BATTERY ❌️-FACTOR
Through the first series, the starting rotation was far from great, but it wasn’t exactly bad either. The O’s starters combined to pitch 18.2 innings and allow 13 earned runs (6.43 ERA) while going 2-2.
As Grayson Rodriguez, Albert Suárez, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish are on the IL, the rotation must step up in a big way if the Birds want to stay in contention early.
Even recent signing Kyle Gibson is still a few weeks away from being able to provide for the team, as he is building up his workload with extended spring training.
The starting staff will need to provide strong outings, covering at least five innings and keeping the Birds in the game. The bullpen is strong enough to finish it, providing the starters don’t force them in early.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
The first game of the series starts at 2:35 p.m. EST on Monday. Game two is set for Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. EST, with game three on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. EST. All games will be available on MASN as well as your local Orioles Radio Network station.
The Orioles were 8-5 last season against their AL East foes and have won the season series against Boston the last two seasons. Will the trend continue and allow the Orioles to get a jump start on their AL East Title pursuit, or do the Bean Town Bombers have other plans?
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