The Orioles (64-68) go for a series win over the Cardinals (66-67) on Wednesday at Busch Stadium, a day after Baltimore's most lopsided win in weeks put the Orioles in position to take control of the set.
Tuesday's 13-1 rout was carried by Pete Alonso's 4-for-4, four-RBI night and Chris Bassitt's strongest start since joining Baltimore, though Alonso didn't finish the game after being pulled in the fifth inning for what manager Craig Albernaz called simple maintenance. Whether Alonso is back in the lineup Wednesday will be worth watching given the calf issue that's lingered since Baltimore's trip through Tampa Bay earlier this month.
Kyle Bradish gets the ball for Baltimore, now a month and a half into pitching under the five-year, $90 million extension he signed in July that runs through the 2031 season. His most recent outing was a mixed bag: he faced the minimum through two innings before a three-run third, battled back with two scoreless frames, then gave up a pair of solo homers in the sixth that ended his night. It snapped a streak of two straight quality starts and was his third loss in his last four outings, leaving him at 7-12 with a 3.70 ERA on the year. Bradish has stayed healthy for a full season for the first time since 2023, when he finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting — a track record that makes his up-and-down 2026 as much about durability paying off as results.
Michael McGreevy takes the mound for St. Louis at 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA, a first-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara in 2021 who's settled into a rotation that's been in flux most of August. With fellow starter Andre Pallante on the injured list, St. Louis has used McGreevy in a mix of roles recently, including a relief outing against the Cubs where he worked six scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He's more contact manager than strikeout artist — 91 punchouts in 132.2 innings — and looked especially sharp earlier this season, running a sub-1.00 WHIP over a nine-start stretch.
Both clubs enter Wednesday looking to salvage something from otherwise difficult stretches. Baltimore remains 2.5 games back of Cleveland for the final American League wild-card spot, while St. Louis, despite Tuesday's loss, is still fighting to stay within range of the National League picture. A Baltimore win would secure the series and continue a road trip the Orioles need to use as a launching pad rather than another false start.
Probable Starters
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-12, 3.70 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.54 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 7:45 PM ET at Busch Stadium
Weather: 93°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)