The Orioles look for a four-game sweep in front of a national audience
If there is any drawback to being a fan of a good team, it’s the increase in national broadcasts. It’s worth it, of course, don’t get me wrong. I’ll take it over 100 losses every day of the week. But national announcers are frustrating in their lack of knowledge of our team, and any Orioles game without Kevin Brown, Ben McDonald, or Jim Palmer is a letdown. And that doesn’t even touch on the fact that it can make it harder for a lot of people to watch the game at all.
But anyway, Sunday Night Baseball! It’s here, and a national audience will have the opportunity to watch the Orioles attempt to go for a four-game sweep of the Texas Rangers. Nothing will make up for the ALDS last year, but watching the Orioles beat the Rangers in three straight games since Thursday has been a little bit good for the soul.
Cole Irvin is starting tonight and he’s had some troubles in his past few starts. But just as Albert Suárez bounced back, I hope the same will happen with Irvin. It’s a lefty duel as the Rangers are sending veteran Andrew Heaney to the mound.
As of now, there is no word why Ryan Mountcastle isn’t in the lineup against a lefty pitcher, but after he also got a day off yesterday I have to assume he’s dealing with an injury of some sort. Unless….we’re on hug watch? It couldn’t be, but I will keep my eyes peeled anyway.
Per Jacob Calvin Meyer, Mountcastle was not on the field doing infield practice and Ramón Urías was taking reps at first base. Maybe we’ll have something soon. At any rate, Ryan O’Hearn is now getting his first start against a lefty starter this year.
Orioles lineup
- Gunnar Henderson – SS
- Adley Rutschman – C
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Jordan Westburg – 3B
- Austin Hays – LF
- Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
- Jorge Mateo – 2B
- Heston Kjerstad – DH
- Colton Cowser – CH
SP: LHP Cole Irvin
Rangers lineup
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Josh Smith – SS
- Robbie Grossman – DH
- Adolis García – RF
- Wyatt Langford – LF
- Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
- Derek Hill – CF
- Andrew Knizner – C
- Davis Wendzel – 3B
SP: LHP Andrew Heaney
Let’s go O’s!