The Orioles are flying high after taking two out of three from a talented Dodgers team. They’ll look to carry the momentum into a three-game set against the last place Angels tonight. On paper, this is a golden opportunity to take care of business and climb toward the elusive .500 mark. That being said, I can’t blame anyone for fearing that Baltimore will play down to its competition over the next three days.
The Orioles traded close games with the Dodgers before securing a convincing win on Sunday.
The backend of the bullpen looks a little dicey with Ryan Helsley working his way back from injury, but the Orioles should be able to win any game if the offense swings it like it did yesterday.
The Angels will enter the series firmly in last place of the AL West at 32-47. However, they’re capable of taking a series at any given point. The Halos topped the Athletics 9-7 yesterday after securing a 7-0 win the day prior.
Mike Trout had been healthy and playing like one of the best players in baseball again, but the Angels placed him on the injured list with a hamstring strain last week. Former Oriole Grayson Rodriguez is also on the injured list with low-back inflammation.
Monday’s game will mark a return to The Big A for Taylor Ward. Ward spent his entire career with the Angels before getting shipped to Baltimore over the offseason.
Game 1: Monday, June 22, 9:38 pm
RHP Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.00 ERA) vs. LHP Sam Aldegheri (2-2, 4.50 ERA)
Kyle Bradish can lower his ERA into the threes with a successful start tonight. The righty suffered some ups and downs early in the season, but he’s been the pitcher the Orioles need him to be of late. Bradish pitched into the eighth inning his last time out against Seattle. Another deep start could go a long way in setting up Baltimore for success in this series.
Sam Aldegheri is a 24-year-old lefty that was born in Verona, Italy. He’s only started in three of his six appearances this year and has yet to complete six innings, so the Orioles should find their way into an LA bullpen that ranks 25th in the league with a 4.65 ERA.
Game 2: Tuesday, June 23, 9:38 pm
RHP Shane Baz (4-7, 4.04 ERA) vs. TBD
Bradish and Tuesday’s starter Shane Baz will enter the series with nearly identical records and ERAs. Baz took the loss his last time out despite holding Seattle to three earned runs over seven innings. The former Ray has completed six innings or more in seven starts already this season, and he should have another opportunity to work deep into the game on Tuesday.
The Angels have yet to announce starters for Tuesday or Wednesdays games.
Game 3: Wednesday, June 24, 4:07 pm
RHP Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.81 ERA) vs. TBD
Trey Gibson will get at least one more opportunity to start for the Orioles this week. Both Dean Kremer and Cade Povich kicked off rehab assignments over the weekend, but it remains to be seen how long Kremer will need before rejoining the rotation. Gibson has done a decent job as a rookie still attempting to figure things out at the big league level. He coughed up a few early runs his last time out against the Dodgers but found a way to settle and still give the O’s five innings of three-run ball.
As the MASN booth loves to point out, the moment rarely looks too big for Gibson. The Orioles believe he’s a guy that can help this team for years to come, and he’ll have another opportunity to display his talent against a struggling Angels team on Wednesday.
