The Orioles try to salvage a split against a Marlins team that is much weaker than it was a day ago.
The Orioles didn’t have much luck against the Marlins in last night’s opener of the two-game series. But after today’s flurry of trade activity, the Fish have given the O’s more of a puncher’s chance.
With the trade deadline two days away, the 44-57 Marlins began their selloff by trading their best hitter, Starling Marte, to the Athletics this afternoon. Marte was the club’s leader in average (.306) and OBP (.407) and had contributed seven homers, 25 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 63 games. Tuesday against the Orioles, in what turned out to be his Fish finale, he reached base three times and had a run, RBI, and steal. Now the pending free agent is off to the contending A’s, with the Marlins getting a significant return in promising 23-year-old lefty Jesus Luzardo.
Within hours, the Marlins made another big move, trading closer Yimi Garcia to the Astros. The 30-year-old righty had 15 of the Marlins’ 18 saves this year, posting a 3.47 ERA. It’ll be interesting to see who gets the ball the next time the Fish hold a ninth-inning lead, but hopefully the Orioles won’t have to find out tonight.
Though the Birds scored just three runs last night, they’re running back the exact same lineup tonight against rookie righty Jordan Holloway, who has never faced the Birds. Jorge Lopez is on the hill for the Orioles, seeking to win his first game since June 6 and to complete five innings for the first time since June 22. Perhaps a Marte-less Marlins lineup is just the tonic he needs.
Marlins lineup:
SS Miguel Rojas
2B Isan Diaz
DH Jesus Aguilar
RF Adam Duvall
3B Brian Anderson
1B Lewin Diaz
C Jorge Alfaro
LF Lewis Brinson
CF Magneuris Sierra
RHP Jordan Holloway
Orioles lineup:
CF Cedric Mullins
LF Austin Hays
DH Trey Mancini
1B Ryan Mountcastle
RF DJ Stewart
SS Ramon Urias
C Pedro Severino
3B Maikel Franco
2B Domingo Leyba
RHP Jorge Lopez
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