The Orioles (61-66) host the New York Yankees (71-55) in Thursday's series finale at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, looking to avoid a sweep after dropping the first two games of the set. Baltimore has won five of its last ten games overall but enters the night on a four-game losing streak, while New York has won six of its last ten and arrives riding its own three-game winning streak.
Wednesday's 5-3 loss saw Chris Bassitt work 5.2 innings with six strikeouts but surrender three earned runs to absorb the defeat. Pete Alonso hit a home run -- and, really hit another that would have given the O's a late lead but it was called foul even after review -- and Dylan Beavers solo shot that accounted for Orioles' three runs.
Cam Sanders struggled in relief, allowing two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning to effectively seal the outcome.
Bassitt didn't sound like a pitcher ready to write off the stretch afterward. Asked if he was still confident things would turn around, he pointed to the way the team has actually been playing rather than the recent results.
"We're playing a good team and they beat us. I thought we played overall pretty clean. I thought we pitched pretty well, I thought we hit fine," Bassitt said. "I think we're playing really good the last two weeks or so, where it's just — we're playing clean, playing together. I don't think it matters that you lost a game or two. It's more so how are you playing, and I'm happy with how we're playing."
Weather could complicate Thursday's finale as much as anything either lineup does. Camden Yards is forecast for an 82-degree evening with a real chance of rain, and any delay would add one more wrinkle to a series Baltimore is trying not to let slip away entirely.
The Yankees present a stiff challenge tonight. Gerrit Cole takes the mound for New York at 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA. Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.65 ERA) goes for Baltimore. A win Thursday would prevent a series sweep and halt a four-game skid for the O's, carrying added weight for a club sitting five games under .500, but with a postseason berth still not far from reach given the state of the rest of the American League.
Probable Starters
New York Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (6-6, 3.22 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.65 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 6:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 82°F, Overcast, 48% chance of precipitation
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)