The Orioles fly into Seattle for a 3 game series against the Mariners
Neck and Neck with the Yankees for leadership of the AL East, Baltimore is a mighty but not an unbeatable opponent.
![Minnesota Twins v Seattle Mariners](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4034,h_2269,x_0,y_282/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/65/01j1r8hvhhmgxhfynnae.jpg)
Orioles Pitching
In June, Baltimore lost three starting pitchers—Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, and John Means—to UCL injuries and Tommy John surgery. The team also lost star relieving pitcher last season, Félix Bautista, for the same reason.
In our last series with the Orioles in May, the Mariners lost 9-2 in the first game with Means on the mound, scoring both runs when Means pitched. In the second game, Seattle won 4-3 and scored runs on relief pitchers Coulombe and Suarez rather than starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. In the final, Seattle lost 6-3 when Corbin Burnes was the starting pitcher for six innings. Seattle scored one run off Burnes and the other two when Jacob Webb pitched.
Starting Pitchers
Grayson Rodriguez pitches tonight. If Baltimore continues its most recent rotation, Corbin Burnes should pitch tomorrow, and Albert Suárez on Friday
Rodriguez has a 9-3 record and an ERA of 3.72 for the season. In 82.1 innings pitched, Rodriguez has allowed 35 runs and 25 walks and has struck 89 batters out.
Former Milwaukee pitcher, RHP Corbin Burnes has an ERA of 2.28. In 106.2 innings pitched, he has allowed 32 runs and 24 walks. He has struck out 99 batters and has a WHIP of 1.03. Burnes just returned from Paternity Leave. I hope Dad power is limited to batters.
RHP Albert Suárez has a 2.43 ERA and a WHIP of 1.25. In 59.1 innings pitched, he has allowed 17 runs and 22 walks. He has struck out 45 batters. Although Suarez has recently struggled, he pitched extremely well against the Rangers this past Friday.
George Kirby will pitch tonight for Seattle. Logan Gilbert will take the mound tomorrow. Bryce Miller will pitch Thursday, July Fourth.
Orioles Batting
The 2024 Orioles remind me of the 2023 Rangers. Six Rangers made the American League All-Star team last year. Five Orioles are currently in the finals for the league’s All-Star team.
Baltimore is not a team with one or two valuable players. All of their players are excellent, a reality I see reflected in these top statistics.
- Ryan Mountcastle (1B) leads with 21 doubles.
- Jordan Westburg (3B) has hit five triples.
- Gunnar Henderson (SS) hit the most home runs with 26 and leads with 58 RBIs. He has the highest OPS at .988.
- Cedric Mullens (CF) stole 16 bases.
- Adley Rutschman (C) has the highest BA at .294.
Do not discount other members of their lineup including Jorge Mateo (2B); Colton Cowser (LF); Anthony Santander (RF), and Ryan O’Hearn (DH)!
Fun Fact: Luis Urías’ brother, Ramón, plays for the Orioles.
Go, Mariners!
Luckily, the initial report is that DH Mitch Garver's wrist is not broken. Hopefully, there is good news about Luke Raley's foot as well.
In the last two weeks, Houston swept Baltimore. We have five wins against Houston and only one loss this year. Let’s take the Baltimore series!