Baltimore is 51-55. Detroit is 50-56. Neither team can afford to lose this series.
After dropping two of three to Atlanta at home — including Sunday's 3-2 loss in eleven innings when the Orioles had the bases loaded with nobody out in the tenth and couldn't score — the Birds head to Comerica Park for what amounts to something of a playoff series in July.
Jackson Holliday put it plainly after Saturday's walk-off win over the Braves, before Sunday's loss took some of the air out of it: "It's time for us to bear down and win some games here. We unfortunately got to see what the other side of everything looks like last year. I know I don't want to experience that. I want to have a chance to play in the playoffs."
Kyle Bradish takes the mound for Baltimore. He's 7-9 on the year but the record undersells him — 110 strikeouts over 113⅓ innings, a 3.49 ERA, and a .235 opponent average. His last start was six innings of one-run ball against Boston, and Bradish is enjoying the honeymoon phase a five-year, $90 million new contract.
Detroit counters with Keider Montero, who has been quietly excellent: a 1.80 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over his last ten outings covering 40 innings. He pitches to contact rather than missing bats, but he doesn't need to miss them when he's locating like this. Opponents are hitting just .206 against him on the season.
Detroit's lineup has real threats. Dillon Dingler leads the Tigers with 22 home runs and 68 RBI; Riley Greene is batting .282 with 15 homers. Pete Alonso (22 HR, 67 RBI) and Gunnar Henderson (18 HR) anchor the Baltimore side. The pitching matchup is the story tonight — both staffs are playing well, and if the wind is blowing in, this has low-scoring game written all over it.
Ahead of the game, the Orioles designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment and recalled recently-acquired Yohel Pozo from Triple-A Nortfolk. Huff was fine defensively but struggled mightily at the plate, including being the final out in both of Baltimore's extra-inning losses to Atlanta on Friday and Sunday.
The Orioles are looking for just some production at catcher with Adley Rutschman (left wrist) and Samuel Basallo (right shoulder) on 10-day IL stints.
Probable Starters
Detroit Tigers: RHP Keider Montero (7-5, 3.14 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-9, 3.49 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 6:40 PM ET at Comerica Park, Detroit
TV: MASN, DSN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)
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