The Orioles (69-75) open a three-game home series against the Cleveland Guardians (73-71) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday, having dropped six consecutive games and falling four games back of the American League wild card spot.
The team that holds that spot? Cleveland.
Baltimore's pitching kept it competitive Sunday against Boston despite the 3-1 loss, which completed a Red Sox sweep of the Orioles. Kyle Bradish threw four scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and Cam Sanders and Anthony Nunez each added scoreless outings — Sanders striking out three in one inning, Nunez fanning three across two. The offense managed little, though Christian Encarnacion-Strand delivered a double and Pete Alonso went 2-for-4.
“We just need to take a breath right now," Gunnar Henderson said on Sunday after the Boston series. "There’s still 20 games. We can still make up some ground. Can’t try to force it all at once. It’s pretty much now or never and we got to get it going.”
At 73-71, the Guardians present a genuine challenge to a Baltimore club that cannot afford more losses. LHP Joey Cantillo (9-8, 3.81 ERA) takes the ball for Cleveland. LHP Trevor Rogers (9-9, 4.30 ERA) goes for the Orioles. A win Monday would begin chipping away at a four-game deficit for the final AL wild-card spot, and mean more with direct matchups against the Guardians.
At this point in September, each game is a direct exchange in the standings. “Cleveland’s coming in," Henderson. "They’re ahead of us right now.”
Probable Starters
Cleveland Guardians: LHP Joey Cantillo (9-8, 3.81 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: LHP Trevor Rogers (9-9, 4.30 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 1:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 81°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)