What a difference a week makes. Just a few days ago it felt like the Orioles season was circling the drain. They had lost five of six, including three embarrassing displays down in Tampa. Now, they are winners of three out of four and the magic is emanating from them.
But as the saying goes, momentum is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. In the Orioles case, that’s Shane Baz, and the O’s haven’t won a start of his since April 28. That’s not all Baz’s fault. He allowed just one run over
six innings against these Rays in his last outing, and tossed seven solid frames against the Nationals in the start before that. Those two efforts have brought his season ERA from 5.48 to 4.87.
The Orioles won’t have Dietrich Enns to help them out of the bullpen. He was DFA’d earlier today in order to make room for Nick Raquet. The swap of lefties seems like an effort to add flexibility and a fresh arm after the 13-inning affair on Monday. Raquet has options. Enns doesn’t. Hopefully Raquet can replicate his Triple-A success (3.24 ERA, 2.86 FIP over 16.2 innings) in Baltimore. His three MLB games from earlier this year did not go well. Enns might still stay in the organization, but he will need to get through waivers first. His $2.625 million salary might allow that to happen.
Orioles lineup
- Taylor Ward, LF
- Gunnar Henderson, SS
- Pete Alonso, 1B
- Samuel Basallo, C
- Leody Tavares, CF
- Jeremiah Jackson, DH
- Colton Cowser, RF
- Blaze Alexander, 3B
- Jackson Holliday, 2B
RHP Shane Baz (1-5, 4.87 ERA)
Rays lineup
- Chandler Simpson, LF
- Junior Caminero, 3B
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B
- Yandy Díaz, DH
- Richie Palacios, 2B
- Cedric Mullins, CF
- Victor Mesa Jr., RF
- Hunter Feduccia, C
- Taylor Walls, SS
RHP Griffin Jax (1-2, 3.54 ERA)
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