Kyle Bradish is on the bump as the Orioles chase a four-game sweep in Chicago.
It has not been the smoothest of weekends for the Orioles, but the outcomes of all three games have all been in their favor anyway. While many will still complain about the offense’s streakiness, the fact is that they have scored 19 runs across three games, and have plated at least five runs in each game. Typically, if you score five runs in a game you are going to win.
Kyle Bradish will be on the bump today, looking for his first win of the season. The righty has been remarkably consistent to this point, going four to five innings and allowing two or fewer runs in each start. He was on track to pitch into the sixth inning last week in St. Louis, but the weather didn’t cooperate. Perhaps he can manage that feat in the series finale here.
Brandon Hyde would probably prefer to stay away from his big three (Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, and Craig Kimbrel) at the back of the bullpen if he can. None of them pitched on Saturday, but all three of them pitched in the first two games of the series. Typically, Hyde likes to avoid using a pitcher in three out of four games.
That does not mean they will overextend Bradish. The team has been slow playing him following the arm injury, and they will need him for the long haul. He has maxed out at 90 pitches this season, and the Orioles don’t seem inclined to push him much further.
Hopefully the offense has a big day, Bradish shuts down the White Sox, and late-game pitching management is of little concern. It won’t be easy for the bats, though. Garrett Crochet is a top-tier arm that has not allowed an earned run in his last three starts while striking out 21 over 17 innings.
Orioles lineup
- Jordan Westburg, 3B
- Adley Rutschman, DH
- Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
- Gunnar Henderson, SS
- Anthony Santander, RF
- Austin Hays, LF
- Jorge Mateo, 2B
- James McCann, C
- Colton Cowser, CF
RHP Kyle Bradish (0-0, 2.41 ERA)
White Sox lineup
- Tommy Pham, DH
- Andrew Vaughn, 1B
- Gavin Sheets, RF
- Corey Julks, LF
- Korey Lee, C
- Bryan Ramos, 3B
- Nicky Lopez, 2B
- Zach Remillard, SS
- Dominic Fletcher, CF
LHP Garrett Crochet (5-4, 3.75 ERA)