Tomoyuki Sugano takes the mound looking to reverse his recent struggles and secure a win in the rubber match in Arlington
Where to watch: MASN/MASN+
Probable pitchers: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (6-4, 4.06 ERA, 52 Ks) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 1.87 ERA, 75 Ks)
The Orioles have faced a fair amount of rubber matches lately with mixed results. They pulled out a win in the rubber match last series vs. Tampa, but were shut out in the decisive Game 3 when the Rangers came to Baltimore a week ago.
If the O’s want to take a series win with them to Atlanta, they’ll need a better effort from starter Tomoyuki Sugano. The 35-year-old Japanese rookie has begun to struggle as the calendar turned to the summer months. Sugano had a 6.20 ERA in June and is coming off his worst outing of the season—allowing seven runs over five innings last time out vs. the Rays.
Playing with the roof closed in Texas could prove to be the advantage Sugano needs to get back on track. He’s clearly struggled to deal with the heat after spending most of his career in Japan pitching in domed stadiums. That won’t be a factor tonight as he faces the Rangers for the first time.
Opposing Sugano is fellow 35-year-old, Nathan Eovaldi. The long-time former Red Sox was one of the pitchers many Orioles fans hoped the front office would lure to Baltimore last offseason, and it’s easy to see why. After signing a new deal with Texas, the right-hander is off to the best start of his career, currently sporting a 1.87 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and .195 BAA.
Colton Cowser, Gary Sánchez and Ramón Laureano have all taken Eovaldi deep before, but it’s really star SS Gunnar Henderson who’s found the most success against the 14th-year vet. Henderson is 5-for-5 with a double in two previous matchups against the two-time World Series winner. Eovaldi relies heavily on his splitter, which may prove advantageous for Ryan O’Hearn. Turn and Burn O’Hearn is hitting .462 with a .615 slugging percentage against splitters this season.
Orioles Lineup
- Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
- Ramón Laureano (R) RF
- Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
- Ryan O’Hearn (L) 1B
- Gary Sánchez (R) DH
- Colton Cowser (L) LF
- Ramón Urías (R) 3B
- Cedric Mullins (L) CF
- Jacob Stallings (R) C
Rangers Lineup
- Josh Smith (L) 1B
- Corey Seager (L) SS
- Marcus Semien (R) 2B
- Adolis García (R) RF
- Alejandro Osuna (L) CF
- Jonah Heim (S) C
- Jake Burger (R) DH
- Billy McKinnney (L) LF
- Ezequiel Duran (R) 3B