If you recall, prior to the All-Star break the Orioles had just climbed a hurdle they’d failed to yet surpass: a four-game win streak. Now, they’re a bit battered and bruised, what with late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley and Keegan Akin on the shelf, and hottest-hitter-of-late Blaze Alexander sidelined, sadly, with a fractured hand, thanks to KC’s wayward Lucas Erceg.
Tonight, the Birds fly the coop for three games against the Houston Astros. Game 1 is tonight, with right hander Dean Kremer (1-2,
4.09 ERA) facing off against righty Peter Lambert (8-5, 3.14 ERA)
Lambert is only in the Houston rotation due to a surfeit of starter injuries, but the fifth-year journeyman, who’d owned a career 6.28 ERA to date, has been a nice surprise for the Astros. He’s done a good job of limiting contact, with an excellent .204 opposing average against. The righty has a really extensive eight-pitch mix that is primarily fastball and changeup-driven. Back in April, Lambert threw 4.1 innings and allowed two runs.
As for the Orioles’ Kremer, this will be just his start of the year, due, first to his not making the team out of spring training, and then an injured quad. It’s nice to have him back, under the circumstances. In four starts so far, he’s allowed 12 runs in 22 innings. He’s leaning heavily on a pitch that’s new for him, a splitter. So far, so good: hitters are batting just .176 against it. Against these Astros, Kremer has pitched well, although the fearsome Yordan Alvarez has reached base against him in six of 10 PAs, and Jose Altuve is 9-for-20.
Orioles lineup
- Gunnar Henderson SS
- Adley Rutschman C
- Taylor Ward LF
- Pete Alonso 1B
- Samuel Basallo DH
- Dylan Beavers RF
- Colton Cowser CF
- Coby Mayo 3B
- Jackson Holliday 2B
Astros lineup
- Jeremy Peña SS
- Yordan Alvarez DH
- Isaac Paredes 3B
- Christian Walker 1B
- José Altuve 2B
- LaMonte Wade Jr. LF
- Cam Smith RF
- Lucas Spence CF
- Christian Vázquez C
