There’s a double dose of Orioles baseball today. Aren’t we lucky?
After an unexpected reprieve from the Orioles thanks to last night’s rainout in Boston, the two teams are in action for a day-night doubleheader this afternoon. Can the Orioles manage to avoid losing twice? I’m not optimistic, but anything is possible. They are riding a one-game winning streak, after all.
Cade Povich, who had been Thursday’s scheduled starter before the rainout, pitches the matinee today. His season debut came against the Red Sox on March 31, the Orioles’ home opener, and he lasted only 4.1 innings but struck out eight in an eventual O’s win. Povich also faced the Sox twice last year as a rookie, throwing one quality start (6.1 IP, 2 ER on Aug. 17) and one less than stellar (4.2 IP, 4. ER on Sept. 9). Lefty-killer Rob Refsnyder has particularly torched Povich with four hits in seven at-bats, including a home run. Refsnyder is batting cleanup today.
Look for interim O’s manager Tony Mansolino to give all 13 of his position players at least one start today, except possibly Ramón Laureano, who is still day-to-day after tweaking his left ankle in the Brewers series. In Laureano’s absence, the O’s are fielding a truly terrifying defense in the outfield corners with Ryan O’Hearn in front of the Green Monster and Heston Kjerstad manning the short wall in right. Good luck. Gunnar Henderson gets a half-day off by DH’ing the first game, giving Jorge Mateo a rare start against a righty.
The O’s will take on Sox righty Brayan Bello, who has four career wins against the Orioles, tied for his most against any team. The only current Oriole who has hit him particularly well is Henderson, who has three extra-base hits — a dinger and two doubles — in 15 at-bats versus Bello.
Orioles lineup:
2B Jackson Holliday
C Adley Rutschman
DH Gunnar Henderson
1B Ryan Mountcastle
LF Ryan O’Hearn
3B Ramón Urías
CF Cedric Mullins
RF Heston Kjerstad
SS Jorge Mateo
LHP Cade Povich
Red Sox lineup:
LF Jarren Duran
DH Rafael Devers
3B Alex Bregman
RF Rob Refsnyder
SS Trevor Story
C Carlos Narváez
1B Nick Sogard
2B Kristian Campbell
CF Ceddanne Rafaela
RHP Brayan Bello