Mayo is back as the O’s look for a series win over the visiting White Sox.
The Orioles find themselves one win away from a series win yet again. It would be cool if they could actually cash in on that this time, but winning consecutive games this season has proved challenging for this crew.
The headline coming into this game is the return of Coby Mayo. He is replacing Ryan Mountcastle, who heads to the IL with a hamstring strain. The injury forced Mountcastle out of Friday’s win. While the Orioles have slow played many of their recent injuries, there was no hesitation here. Mounty goes right on the shelf.
Mayo will DH tonight, hoping that this promotion will be the one were he finally breaks through. The scouting industry does still like Mayo quite a bit, even if the shine has worn off a touch since his initial debut last summer.
May has not exactly been a good month for Mayo in Norfolk. In 23 games at Triple-A he is hitting .157/.231/.265 with just two home runs while striking out 33 times and working eight walks. Perhaps some tweaks to his swing have taken place? His last five games have been pretty good (7-for-20, one double, one home run, five strikeouts), so any adjustments that have been made could be breaking through.
If Mayo rakes these next two days, the Orioles could be forced into hanging onto the 23-year-old. The offense could use any jolt they can find. But Jordan Westburg’s return is lurking. He may not be ready as soon as Colton Cowser, who is expected back on Tuesday, but shortly thereafter seems to be possible.
On a side note, Adley Rutschman appears to be in the clear health wise. The O’s DFA’d Chadwick Tromp today and added outfielder Jordyn Adams from Norfolk. The Adams addition is a little weird, but at least he gives the team some premium speed and another center field option. It probably won’t matter by Tuesday, when Cowser is active once again.
Let’s go get a win!
Orioles lineup
- Jackson Holliday, 2B
- Adley Rutschman, C
- Gunnar Henderson, SS
- Ryan O’Hearn, 1B
- Ramón Urías, 3B
- Coby Mayo, DH
- Heston Kjerstad, RF
- Dylan Carlson, LF
- Jorge Mateo, CF
RHP Dean Kremer (4-5, 5.02 ERA)
White Sox lineup
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Miguel Vargas, 1B
- Andrew Benintendi, DH
- Luis Robert Jr., CF
- Joshua Palacios, LF
- Lenyn Sosa, 2B
- Josh Rojas, 3B
- Korey Lee, C
- Vinny Capra, SS
RHP Davis Martin (2-5, 3.45 ERA)