The Orioles (67-69) wrap up a three-game series in Sacramento on Sunday against the Athletics (53-83) at Sutter Health Park with a chance to sweep a struggling club near the bottom of the AL West.
Baltimore took Saturday's game 5-3 behind Shane Baz, who went 5.2 innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out four, and timely hitting from Leody Taveras. He carried the offense, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI. Colton Cowser added a solo home run, and Yennier Cano locked down 0.2 innings with two strikeouts and no runs allowed to help close it out.
Oakland sits second-to-last in the AL West, and the Athletics send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound — Springs is 3-12 with a 6.08 ERA on the season. Chris Bassitt takes the ball for Baltimore, coming off arguably his strongest outing of the year. With the Orioles sitting just one games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild-card spot, a win Sunday would give them a three-game sweep and potential movement in the standings on the same afternoon.
“We’re just showing up every day and trying to compete and put up the best effort we can and wherever we end up, we end up,” Cowser said after Saturday night’s win. “We’re a little aware of what’s going on, but winning baseball cures everything. That’s our mission.”
Probable Starters
Athletics: LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-12, 6.08 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Chris Bassitt (5-4, 4.74 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 4:05 PM ET at Sutter Health Park
Weather: 91°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)