Albert Suárez hopes to snap a streak of rough outings by O’s starters and avert a sweep in Houston.
If ever there were an argument against the existence of momentum in baseball, we’re seeing it now.
The O’s seemed to be on top of the world three days ago, capping an exhilarating series win at Yankee Stadium with a 17-5 destruction of the Yanks in the finale. They set a new MLB record for playing the most consecutive division series without losing, their offense seemed unstoppable, and they were just half a game back of the AL East lead with three games to play against the struggling Astros. Everything was coming up Orioles.
And now…woof. The O’s have lost two games in a row in Houston and are fighting to avoid a rare sweep this afternoon. Even though the Birds’ 106-series sweepless streak ended in St. Louis a month ago, they still haven’t been swept by an American League team in their last 86 such series. Let’s not give the Astros the satisfaction.
One thing that might help is for the Orioles to get a quality start from their starting pitcher, something that hasn’t happened in exactly a week. The O’s just went through a full turn of the rotation with mostly terrible results. Corbin Burnes at least got through seven innings yesterday, but gave up a season-high four runs. The rest of the crew hasn’t been so fortunate on this road trip. Albert Suárez, Cade Povich, Cole Irvin, and Grayson Rodriguez combined to allow 16 earned runs in 18 innings (8.00 ERA) while issuing a galling 14 walks. The O’s managed to go 2-2 in those games, but it seems that cracks are starting to form in the Orioles’ injury-ravaged pitching staff.
Wrapping up the road trip today is Suárez, the guy who started this cycle of pitching futility last Tuesday, when he surrendered three runs and 12 baserunners in 3.2 innings in a loss to the Yankees. He also drilled Aaron Judge in the hand. I don’t know if you heard about that, it kind of flew under the radar. That was his first truly disastrous start of his O’s career, so hopefully he’ll get back on the horse in Houston today.
The O’s are unveiling a new-look lineup against Astros lefty Framber Valdez. Adley Rutschman, who has reached base 12 times in the last three games, moves to the leadoff spot for the first time this year. It’s a spot he occupied 41 times last season, so he’s not unfamiliar. Ryan Mountcastle bats second for the second time this year, and Gunnar Henderson gets a half-day off by DHing for the second time.
Orioles lineup
C Adley Rutschman
1B Ryan Mountcastle
RF Anthony Santander
DH Gunnar Henderson
2B Jordan Westburg
LF Austin Hays
SS Jorge Mateo
3B Ramón Urías
CF Colton Cowser
RHP Albert Suárez
Astros lineup
2B Jose Altuve
3B Alex Bregman
LF Yordan Alvarez
DH Yainer Diaz
SS Jeremy Peña
1B Mauricio Dubón
RF Joey Loperfido
CF Chas McCormick
C César Salazar
LHP Framber Valdez