The Orioles could have won last night, but they didn’t. A night where Adley Rutschman returned and hit two home runs, but the Orioles still won, would have been a pretty decent outcome in my book. Brandon Young did his part. Pete Alonso, Luis Robert, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand homered. But the bullpen blew it.
It wasn’t ideal for Yennier Cano to give up a run, but he’s pitched well enough that it made sense to bring him into a close game. But what the heck is Craig Albernaz doing with Luis De
León? I am happy to see the rookie on the team, but he struggled in Triple-A Norfolk before his call-up, and now Albernaz has thrown him into back-to-back high-leverage situations. He has not delivered, and now the poor guy has two Major League appearances and two Major League losses.
I know this bullpen is kind of a shambles. But it’s not such a shambles that there is no better choice than Luis De León.
But enough about yesterday. Nothing to do but more forward and hope better decisions are made. But speaking of bad decisions, Samuel Basallo is not starting for the second straight night. I guess he doesn’t start against lefties? Why do you give a guy a huge contract, trade away the other guy who plays the position, and then refuse to play him against both lefties and righties? It makes no sense!
Basallo has struggled since his return from the IL. An if the Orioles had another catcher, one who could hit at all (*coughAdley*), then ok. But you do not. You have Carlos Carlos Narváez! Carlos Narváez, whose OPS+ as an Oriole is NEGATIVE TEN. What is even happening here?
Tonight’s starter is Shane Baz, who managed to get some run support and get a win in his last start. It was his first win since June 12th. His teammates still owe him a few more. Maybe tonight will be the night.
For the Red Sox, it’s Ranger Suarez. A lot of fans, including me, wanted the Orioles to sign Suarez. He is in the midst of a pretty good season, with a 3.64 ERA in 24 starts.
Orioles lineup
Blaze Alexander (R) RF
Coby Mayo (R) DH
Luis Robert Jr. (R) CF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B
Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Leody Taveras (S) LF
Red Sox lineup
Roman Anthony (L) DH
Mickey Gasper (S) 1B
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Nick Sogard (S) 2B
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Eli White (R) CF
Let’s go O’s!
