Is today the day the Orioles win a second game in a row?
If the Baltimore Orioles win tonight, two 2025 hurdles will be crossed. They will win two consecutive games for the first time this season as well as their first series. Can they do it? Man, I dunno. It seems like they SHOULD be able to do it.
One of the biggest issues for the Orioles in this young season is their starting pitchers’ inability to pitch deep into games. Tonight’s starter, Tomoyuki Sugano, is part of the problem. He has failed to complete five innings in two of his three starts.
In his most recent start, against the Toronto Blue Jays, Sugano allowed one run in each of the first three innings. He was ultimately pulled with two outs in the fifth inning with 73 pitches thrown.
I am a little more patient with Sugano than the other pitchers in the rotation. Moving from NPB to MLB is a big adjustment and he has yet to get blown up in a game. But for the sake of the team, he needs to stretch it out soon. Could be tonight be the night?
Cedric Mullins and his hot bat have moved up to the leadoff spot tonight. Makes sense to me. Tyler O’Neill is presumably still battling his neck discomfort, but I like the look of this lineup against righty Tanner Bibee. Other than normal concern over Ryan O’Hearn manning right field, of course.
Speaking of Bibee, his season ERA of 4.40 is a small sample size distortion. In two of his three starts, he hasn’t allowed a run. In the third, he gave up seven. Over his two-plus season career, he is split-neutral between righty and lefty batters (.673 OPS vs .688).
Tonight is Autism Acceptance Night at Camden Yards. Check out some of the stories put out today in preparation for it. The Banner has a great story featuring Jim Palmer and Rob Long, both of whom have Autistic children. Birdland Insider on MLB.com has a feature on Jacob Nupp, an Orioles’ super fan with a season ticket plan in section 78.
The National Anthem will be performed tonight by Maddox Salay, a 17-year-old violinist with Autism. Marcus Moore will throw out the first pitch. He is an entrepreneur who started his own business and his pretzels are sold at Camden Yards and throughout Maryland.
The Orioles donated tickets to several organizations that advocate for individuals with Autism. If you happen to be attending tonight’s game, you can visit the bullpen picnic area and learn more about these organizations. They include the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake, Itineris Baltimore, Pathfinders for Autism, and Bitty & Beau’s.
Orioles lineup
- Cedric Mullins (L) CF
- Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
- Adley Rutschman (S) C
- Ryan O’Hearn (L) RF
- Jordan Westburg (R) DH
- Heston Kjerstad (L) LF
- Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
- Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
- Ramón Urías (R) 3B
SP: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano
Guardians lineup
- Steven Kwan (L) LF
- José Ramírez (S) DH
- Carlos Santana (S) 1B
- Gabriel Arias (R) 3B
- Nolan Jones (L) RF
- Lane Thomas (R) CF
- Daniel Schneemann (L) 2B
- Austin Hedges (R) C
- Brayan Rocchio (S) SS
SP: RHP Tanner Bibee
Let’s go O’s!