The Orioles needed last night's game. They almost had it. They left the tying run on third base with one out in the ninth, then gave up four runs on an error in the tenth, and now they're down a game in a series they have no margin to lose. Full recap of Friday's 7-6 loss →
Baltimore (50-54) hosts the Atlanta Braves (61-42) tonight in game two of three at Camden Yards. First pitch is 7:05 PM ET. The Orioles have won their last two series against Atlanta — sweeping them in Atlanta last season and taking two of three at Camden Yards in 2024 — but Friday's 7-6 loss in ten innings put the Braves in the driver's seat for this one. Atlanta has won five of six and sits atop the NL East with the best record in the National League.
The good news for Baltimore is that tonight's starter is Brandon Young. Hes been steady, and the Orioles are 13-3 in games he starts. He is 8-2 with a 3.25 ERA and has already proven he can bounce back quickly — his last outing was seven innings of one-run ball in Houston, coming directly after the worst start of his season.
The Pitching Matchup
Brandon Young — who made headlines last week participating in the Baseball Kick World Cup — was drafted by the Orioles as a 17th-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette. He stood out as a big, projectable righty — 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds — with a delivery and stuff that suggested more than his draft position implied. He went through Tommy John surgery in 2022, spent 2023 and 2024 grinding through the minor league system and the Norfolk Tides, and made his MLB debut in April 2025. That debut season was rough — a 6.24 ERA in 12 starts. But 2026 has been a different story entirely.
Young allowed one run over seven innings in his last outing as the Orioles extended their season-best winning streak to seven games with a win over the Houston Astros. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven. He has 74 strikeouts across 91.1 innings this season and his 1.31 WHIP, while not elite, is a significant step forward from last year. The Orioles offense is 4.8 runs per game in his starts. There is something about how he commands the room.
Bryce Elder starts for Atlanta. The numbers require context. His season ERA is 4.06 over 108.2 innings, but through his first 11 starts of the season, Elder had a 1.97 ERA and .190 average against. In eight starts since then, he's allowed 12 home runs, put up a 7.65 ERA and given up a .321 average against. He is two pitchers in one this year, and the version Baltimore sees tonight may depend heavily on which one shows up.
Elder was reportedly dealing with some fatigue recently and had a better start coming out of the All-Star break. He throws a cutter and sinker combination that he's leaned on more heavily in June and July. Elder excels at keeping the ball on the ground but has struggled with the long ball, with a 1.4 HR/9 over the past two seasons. Camden Yards is not a forgiving park for pitchers who allow fly balls to the pull side.
Elder has faced the Orioles once previously — 5.1 innings, four hits, one earned run, four walks, four strikeouts. Baltimore scratched him enough to make him work. They'll need to do that again tonight.
What to Watch
The Orioles' offense has been carried by a small group. Pete Alonso leads the team with 21 home runs and 66 RBI; Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who had four RBI including a 10th-inning homer Friday, is hitting .400 since his callup; Leody Taveras leads the team with 10 stolen bases. Gunnar Henderson has been coming on of late, but went 0-for-4 in the series opener. Against a right-hander who has been hittable for a month, this lineup should have opportunities.
Probable Starters
Atlanta Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (6-6, 4.06 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Brandon Young (8-2, 3.25 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 7:05 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 82°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)
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