Baltimore needs this one. A win would hit different.
After losing Friday's series opener 7-6 in ten innings on a gut-punch error in extras, the Orioles came back Saturday with a walk-off 3-2 win on Dylan Beavers' ninth-inning single.
Now it comes down to Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards — winner takes the series, and with eight days to the August 3 trade deadline, every game matters.
Shane Baz gets the ball for Baltimore. After a rough start to the season that included a 5.48 ERA through his first eight outings, Baz has been a different pitcher over the last three months — a 3.21 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across his last 11 starts, including four straight quality outings. The strikeouts are there (99 on the season) and the walk rate has come down sharply. His five-year, $68 million extension signed in March looks better with each start.
Atlanta counters with Reynaldo López, who has had his own split-season story. He's allowed seven runs over 18 innings with a 15:4 K:BB across four starts since rejoining the rotation, with a 3.60 ERA in July. The 32-year-old Dominican righty missed all of 2025 after shoulder surgery and is operating on careful pitch management. He's effective but unlikely to go deep — Baltimore should see the Atlanta bullpen early.
The Orioles enter at 51-54 with playoff aspirations that depend on stringing wins together -- we project winning around 60% of games from here on out -- before the deadline defines what kind of team they are. A series win over the NL East-leading Braves would be a statement of what the Orioles are capable of the rest of the season.
Probable Starters
Atlanta Braves: RHP Reynaldo López (4-3, 3.95 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Shane Baz (4-9, 4.05 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 1:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 83°F, Partly Cloudy
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)