Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Maverick Handley represent the latest O’s to suffer injuries in 2025. The Birds will continue to test out their “next-man-up” mentality against the Rangers.
Sunday’s defeat marked the latest setback for an Orioles team running out of time. The Birds dug a deep hole early in the year, and the odds of reaching .500 before the trade deadline decrease with every loss.
Good teams lose close games all the time, but it’s difficult to remain patient with such little margin for error. A series win in New York would have marked another step forward. Instead, the team will return home losers of two straight.
The offense will look to snap out of a funk this week against Texas. The Orioles managed only one hit on Saturday and failed to build on an early two-run lead yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without Adley Rutschman. Jordan Westburg’s status remains unclear moving forward.
The Orioles announced that Rutschman will be out until at least the All-Star break. The club remains optimistic that Westburg can avoid the injured list, but Maverick Handley’s availability is not certain after a scary collision near home plate. Injuries have been a constant story in Baltimore this year, and the book does not appear to be ending anytime soon.
Game 1: Monday, June 23, 6:35 pm. MASN
LHP Trevor Rogers (0-0, 3.12 ERA) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (4-6, 3.91 ERA)
Speaking of letting games slip away with a small margin for error, Trevor Rogers’ last start definitely made the list. Rogers failed to deliver despite being spotted an eight-run advantage. An 8-0 lead should lead to a victory every time, but the Birds desperately need to convert at this point in the season.
Rogers provided reason for optimism in his first start this year. The Orioles still hope that he can become a contributor moving forward, but the time is now for the 27-year-old left-hander.
Rogers would love to have the bounce-back season that Texas starter Patrick Corbin has put together. The 35-year-old struggled in his final years with Washington, but the two-time All-Star has a sub-four ERA in 13 starts this year. The Orioles could use Westburg’s right-handed bat against the southpaw, but the O’s may have to count on guys like Ramón Urías and Ramón Laureano later today.
Game 2: Tuesday, June 24, 6:35 pm. MASN
RHP Charlie Morton (4-7, 5.64 ERA) vs. TBD
In the interest of efficiency, Charlie Morton is coupling his struggles and bounceback season in the same year. Morton became a lightning rod during Baltimore’s early struggles, but the 41-year-old has given Baltimore a chance to win over the last month and a half. Morton holds a 4-0 record and a 2.42 ERA over his last five starts.
The Rangers had yet to announce a starter for Game 2 as of Monday morning.
Game 3: Wednesday, June 25, 6:35 pm. MASN
TBD vs. TBD
Neither team had officially announced a starter for the finale as of Monday morning.
Tomoyuki Sugano left after only 3.2 innings against the Yankees on June 20. The 35-year-old rookie has failed to complete five innings in his last three starts and could likely benefit from an extra day of rest.
The Rangers bullpen features a pair of old friends. Shawn Armstrong (2-2, 3.27 ERA) and Jacob Webb (4-3, 4.24 ERA) both call Texas home these days.