Fresh off a pair of series defeats, the Orioles will look to set things right against the team that ended their season in 2023.
So let’s just get this one out of the way. The Rangers knocked the Orioles out of the playoffs last year. Texas only needed three games to secure the series, even though Baltimore hadn’t been swept all season. You remember, I remember, now let’s try to forget about it.
The Orioles are focused on this season. Unfortunately, the Birds have struggled over the past week. Baltimore appeared to finally run out of gas after an emotional series win over the Yankees. The club dropped consecutive sets against Houston and Cleveland.
Texas fell to 37-43 after its walk-off loss on Wednesday, but the Orioles should not expect a lack of fight. The Rangers possess a playoff-caliber roster that still holds World Series aspirations. Baltimore struggled against a similar AL West opponent last week.
The series will be on full display with multiple nationally-televised games. Fox will broadcast Saturday’s contest, and ESPN will feature the finale on Sunday Night Baseball.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:05, MASN
RHP Corbin Burnes (8-3, 2.35 ERA) vs. RHP Jon Gray (3-3, 3.03 ERA)
Texas likely holds the starting-pitching advantage over the four-game set, but the Birds will turn to their ace right away. Burnes finally allowed more than three earned runs his last time out, but he still provided the O’s a chance to win. The free-agent-to-be allowed four runs on five hits over seven innings against the Astros.
The Orioles acquired Burnes for games like these. Baltimore could really use a strong performance from their top arm to start the series off on the right foot.
The Rangers will counter with the talented Jon Gray. Gray uses his fastball and slider an overwhelming amount of the time while occasionally mixing in a curveball and changeup. Gray may have been tipping his pitches in a blowout loss to the Mets on June 18, but he responded with six shutout innings his last time out against the Royals.
Game 2: Friday, 6:35, MASN
RHP Albert Súarez (3-2, 2.70 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Speaking of aces, the Rangers will send out Max Scherzer for the second time this year. Scherzer underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk over the offseason, but he shined in his big league debut last week. Scherzer limited Kansas City to only one hit over five innings.
Scherzer complained of thumb soreness after the game, but the Rangers said they expect Scherzer to be ready to start on Friday. Dane Dunning could be available after moving to the bullpen to make room for the former Cy Young winner.
Súarez has stumbled after a tremendous return to Major League Baseball. The 34-year-old failed to complete four innings against New York and allowed five runs his last time out against Houston. With Dean Kremer potentially making his final rehab appearance later today, Súarez could be running out of time to prove he belongs in the rotation long term.
Game 3: Saturday, 7:15, Fox
LHP Cade Povich (0-2, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-3, 3.04 ERA)
Cade Povich has met expectations in his first four starts with the Orioles. The rookie has pitched better at home, and he’ll look to pick up his first major league victory against the Rangers on Saturday.
Michael Lorenzen has had a pleasant June with a 2-0 record and 2.51 ERA over five starts. Lorenzen features a deep pitching arsenal, with MLB’s Statcast tracking a four seamer, sinker, changeup, cutter, slider, curveball, and sweeper all thrown this season.
Game 4: Sunday, 7:10, ESPN
LHP Cole Irvin (6-4, 3.74 ERA) vs. LHP Andrew Heaney (2-9, 4.17 ERA)
Andrew Heaney and Cole Irvin will square off on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. It’s always nice to win on the national stage, but Irvin just wants to get back on track after a few rough outings. He allowed four runs over four innings his last time out against Cleveland after stumbling through 4.2 frames against the Yankees. Similar to Súarez, Irvin could return to the bullpen if he continues to struggle every fifth day.
Andrew Heaney holds a brutal record for a player with a 4.17 ERA. The Orioles will look to tack on Heaney’s 10th loss of the season this weekend.