While the Nats have disappointed, no team has underachieved more than the Baltimore Orioles
It’s rivalry week in Major League Baseball, which means it’s time for another round of the good ole “Battle of the Beltway” series. In April, the Nats took two out of three from Baltimore. That of course was in the friendly confines of Nationals park, now it will be on the road at historic Camden Yards.
Where the Nationals are 22-36 all-time in the “charm city”, the Nationals have 15 losses on the road this year which is tied for this most in the MLB.
Both teams come into this series down on their luck. The Nationals have lost eight out of their last nine, included in that was a seven game losing streak. The Orioles lost three straight earlier in the week to Minnesota and have now lost four of their last five.
Baltimore Team Stats
Baltimore is having a underwhelming season, the expectation was to be a contender. The way the O’s have been playing is no where near contender level. It’s still early but it’s shocking to see Baltimore sitting at last in the AL East with 15-27 record.
As a team the struggle has been everywhere, on the pitching side they have the 3rd worst team ERA in baseball at 5.34, WHIP is 4th worst at 1.46 and batting average against (BAA) is 2nd worst at .276.
Offensively, they’ve managed just 156 runs (26th). While posting a .226 team batting average 26th, a .295 on-base percentage, and a .381 slugging percentage 19th. When your most productive hitter has been Outfielder Cedrick Mullins who is slashing a (.232/.335/.451) that is very concerning. Budding stars, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman are still trying to figure out their slow starts.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1 – Friday, 7:15 EDT
WAS – MacKenzie Gore (2-4) – 9 GS, 3.59 ERA, 75 SO, 1.16 WHIP
The southpaw generated 13 whiffs in his last start against St. Louis, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. One of his runs was scored on a single given up by reliever Andrew Chafin.
Gore threw 101 pitches showing no signs of lingering affects from the ankle injury he suffered on the fourth of may.
Fun fact: The O’s have a .179 batting average against left handers which is the worst as a team in baseball so far this year.
BAL – Cade Povich (1-3) – 7 GS, 5.55 ERA, 29 SO, 1.54 WHIP
The lefty’s best start this year was against Washington. He threw 6.2 innings giving up one run and struck out five. Picking up his only win this year, go figure. Since then Povich has had two bad outings, Baltimore just hopes Povich can eat some innings. He has gone at least six innings in three of his seven starts.
Game 2 – Saturday, 4:05 EDT
WAS – Jake Irvin (2-1) – 9 GS, 4.00 ERA, 34 SO, 1.19 WHIP
In Irvin’s last outing he allowed three runs over six innings and only striking out one. It was the fourth time this season that he has allowed seven or more hits in a game.
In mid April, Irvin had a stretch against PIT, COL and NYM where he looked dominate. Since then he has been struggling. He looks to turn it around against a boring O’s offense.
BAL – Kyle Gibson (0-2) – 3 GS, 13.11 ERA, 9 SO, 2.49 WHIP
Whew! This version of Kyle Gibson stinks! Gibson his whole career has been a consistent option for clubs. This year it has all fallen apart, Gibson is in danger of losing his starting spot if he doesn’t pick things up.
Gibson has gone four innings or less in each of his three starts. The Nationals should jump on him as soon as the game starts.
Game 3 – Sunday, 1:35 EDT
WAS – Michael Soroka (0-2) – 2 GS, 6.43 ERA, 15 SO, 1.29 WHIP
In his first start against his former club Soroka gave up two runs on four hits against Atlanta. In the two starts since recovering from a bicep strain and returning to the Nationals rotation, Soroka has been charged with six runs in nine innings with a 12:3 K:BB. Soroka is still generating whiffs, 12 strikeouts combined in his two starts.
BAL – Zach Eflin (3-1) – 4 GS, 3.13 ERA, 13 SO, 0.96 WHIP
In Eflin’s first game back from injury (lat), Eflin allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, securing the win against the Angels. In his rehab start before facing L.A. he was capped out at 58 pitches. Manager Brandon Hyde let him work up to 83 pitches. Against the Nationals, Eflin should have no limit on how deep he goes into the game. This is Baltimore’s only favorable pitching matchup this weekend.
Final Thoughts
The Nationals should not walk away from this series, they should run away with it. Baltimore panic level is at one hundred, everyone on the offense is pressing and the pitching matchups are very favorable. The Nationals as of late are struggling themselves and do not play good on the road. It’s time for that to change and to get at least 2 curly W’s.