BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:
BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN: The Orioles defeated the Giants, 8-3, in Sunday’s series finale at Oracle Park…Improved to 6-4 in rubber matches this season. Tyler Wells tallied a career-high nine strikeouts in the victory; he has now struck out at least seven batters in five straight games, tied with Erik Bedard (2007) for the second-longest streak in Orioles history (since 1954), behind an eight-game streak by Connie Johnson in 1957; entering this season, Wells had only recorded seven strikeouts in a game once, on July 3, 2022 at Minnesota. James McCann led off the sixth inning with his third home run of the season.
SERIES-LY: Sunday’s win clinched Baltimore’s 13th series victory this year…Last season, the Orioles didn’t secure their 13th series win until their 28th series on July 13, which completed a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field and was the final victory during a 10-game winning streak…The O’s didn’t win more than 12 series in any of the three full seasons from 2018-21 (12-32-8 in 2021, 10-34-8 in 2019, and 9-39-5 in 2018).
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: Of Baltimore’s 59 games this season, 52 have been decided by four or fewer runs, second-most in MLB behind Los Angeles-AL with 53…The O’s have gone 33-19 in those games, the most wins and second-best winning percentage (.635) in the majors behind Tampa Bay (.636, 28-16)…The O’s are 24-13 in games decided by three or fewer runs, the best winning percentage (.649) and tied for the most wins in
MLB with the Cleveland (24-22) and Miami (24-17).
Baltimore is 11-6 (.647) in one-run games, tied with four other teams for the third-most wins in games decided by one run this season; only Miami (16-4) and Cleveland (12-16) have more one-run victories.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The O’s are in the middle of a six-game road trip, which began with three games in San Francisco (2-1) over the weekend…After an off day yesterday, the Orioles play three games in Milwaukee beginning tonight…Baltimore is 20-10 (.667) away from Oriole Park, tied with Atlanta (20-10) for the best road record in MLB this season…The Birds went 38-43 (.469) on the road last year, 14th-best in MLB, after going a combined 114-237 (.325) away from Camden Yards from 2017-21. This season is tied for the second-best road start through 30 games by the Orioles in team history (since 1954), trailing only the 23-7 start in 1969 (see box at right).
AGAINST THE BREWERS: The Orioles and Brewers are squaring off for the first time this season…The O’s hosted the Brewers at Oriole Park for their first home series of the 2022 campaign; the Birds won their Home Opener but dropped the next two games… The Orioles are playing in Milwaukee for the first time since 2017, when they were swept in three games from July 3-5.
WHAT’S TRENDING: The O’s have won 28 of their last 43 games, 31 of 47, and 32 of 50… The 37-21 overall record is the third-best in MLB to start the season (see box at right)… Entering today, the Orioles are one of eight teams with at least 35 wins, along with the Rays (43-19), Rangers (39-20), Astros (36-24), Yankees (36-25), Diamondbacks (35- 25), Braves (35-24), and Dodgers (35-25)…They are one of five teams with less than 25 losses, along with the Rays, Rangers, Astros, and Braves. Last season, the Birds did not collect their 37th win until their 81st game on July 4 (37-44).
THE MOUNTAIN AND THE ROCK: Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano have combined to go 4-1 with 19 saves, a 1.07 ERA (7 ER/59.0 IP), 32 hits, 11 total runs allowed, two home runs, 19 walks, two hit batters, and 87 strikeouts while opponents have hit .158 (32-for-202)… The pair have pitched in the same game 16 times this season with the O’s going 14-2.
BIG TIME RUTSCH: Adley Rutschman leads the AL with 43 walks and ranks tied with Texas’ Marcus Semien for the AL lead with 104 times on base (61 H, 43 BB)…He’s also fourth in the AL with a .402 on-base percentage…He ranks among MLB switch hitters in OBP (1st), OPS (2nd, .836), and batting average (3rd, .285), and among primary catchers in OBP (1st) and OPS (3rd).
HAYS OF OUR LIVES: Austin Hays was named the Fielding Bible Award Co-Defensive Player of the Month for May with Toronto’s Kevin Kiermaier by Sports Info Solutions after he led MLB with 10 Defensive Runs Saved last month…Hays has four outfield assists this season, tied for fourth in the AL…His 21 outfield assists since the start of 2021 are tied for the second-most in the AL and fifth-most in MLB during that time.
He ranks seventh in the AL with a .301 batting average. His .400 batting average in the seventh inning or later leads MLB and he’s the
only qualified player currently over .400 in those spots this season; he also leads MLB with a .421 average with two outs.
ROSTER MOVES: The Orioles today reinstated left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe from the Bereavement List…In a corresponding move, infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
SCORING CHANGE: MLB has made the following scoring change affecting the Orioles:
In the bottom of the first inning on May 20 at Toronto, Bo Bichette reached on what was originally scored a fielding error by second baseman Adam Frazier… The ruling has been changed to a base hit.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #48 KYLE GIBSON RHP
QUICK HITS: Scheduled to make his 13th start of the season, eighth on the road, and eighth career start against the Brewers tonight…Became the first O’s pitcher in club history (since 1954) to start and win each of his three first appearances with the team…Started a season 4-0 for the second time in his career, joining a 6-0 start with Texas in 2021; became the fifth Oriole starting pitcher since 2004 to begin a year 4-0, joining John Means (4-0 in 2021), Bud Norris (4-0 in 2013), Wei-Yin Chen (4-0 in 2012), and Erik Bedard (4-0 in 2006)…Tossed 7.0 shutout frames on May 25 at New York-AL, becoming the oldest O’s pitcher (35-214) to work 7.0-or-more scoreless innings in a start since Freddy García (36-236) also tossed 7.0 scoreless frames on May 30, 2013 vs. Washington…Also marked his first shutout start of 7.0-or-more innings since also tossing 7.0 scoreless frames on August 27, 2022 vs. Pittsburgh with Philadelphia…In 279 career appearances (273 starts), Gibson owns a 96-94 record with a 4.49 ERA (786 ER/1575.2 IP)… The O’s signed Gibson to a one-year contract on December 5, 2022…He has
also spent time with the Twins, Phillies, and Rangers across 10 Major League seasons.
LAST TIME OUT: Earned his third straight win in his last start on May 30 vs. Cleveland…Allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 5.2 innings…Retired the first 10 batters in order before allowing a one-out single to Amed Rosario in the fourth inning…Marked his seventh win of the season; last season, he earned his seventh victory in his 21st start on August 5 vs. Washington with Philadelphia…Threw 95 pitches, 60 strikes.
CAREER AGAINST THE BREWERS: Making his eighth career start against the Brewers tonight…Did not factor into the decision in his last start against Milwaukee with Philadelphia on September 8, 2021 at American Family Field… Allowed three runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts in 4.2 innings…Threw 103 pitches, 59 strikes…Owns a 1-2 record with a 5.67 ERA (25 ER/39.2 IP) through his first seven career starts against the Brewers.
CAREER AGAINST THE NL CENTRAL: Making his 19th career start against the NL Central…Has pitched to a 4-7 record with a 5.22 ERA (59 ER/101.2 IP) through his first 18 outings against the division…Dealt the loss in his last start against the NL Central on May 14 vs. Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on seven hits with three walks, a wild pitch, and five punchouts in 5.0 innings…Threw 95 pitches, 57 strikes…Recorded a career-high-tying 11 strikeouts on August 16, 2022 vs. Cincinnati with Philadelphia.
LIFE ON THE ROAD: Making his eighth road start of the 2023 campaign tonight… Owns a 4-1 record with a 4.25 ERA (20 ER/42.1 IP) through his first seven outings away from Oriole Park this season…Earned the win in his last road start on May 25 at New York-AL after working 7.0 shutout innings on two hits with four walks and three strikeouts…Marked his team-leading sixth quality start and sixth win of the season…Threw 96 pitches, 56 strikes…Has completed 7.0 innings in each of his last two assignments away from Oriole Park.
INTERLEAGUE SOLDIER: Making his second Interleague start of the 2023 season…Dealt the loss in his last start against the National League on May 14 vs. Pittsburgh…Has gone 6-15 with a 5.45 ERA (101 ER/166.2 IP) and 10 quality starts in 30 career Interleague starts…Has lost three straight starts against the National League since June 21, 2022.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
On The Mend
LHP Eric Lauer is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this evening with Triple-A Nashville as the team visits Jacksonville (Marlins)…..Lauer has been on the 15-day injured list since May 22 with a right shoulder impingement…..RHP JB Bukauskas is also scheduled to begin his rehab assignment tonight with Nashville….. he has been on the 15-day injured list since May 18 with a cervical strain.
Rare Birds
The Brewers are hosting the Orioles at American Family Field for just the fourth time (2008, 2014 and 2017)….. the team is 7-2 all-time here against Baltimore, winning the last 5 games.
Baseball Brothers
This series marks the first meeting between the Brewers’ Luis Urías and the Orioles’ Ramon Urías in the big leagues…..the brothers were slated to play against each other last season at Camden Yards, but that plan was foiled as Luis was on the injured list at that particular point in time…..Ramon (1994) and the younger Luis (1997) were both born on June 3 in Mexico.
One More To Go
Freddy Peralta will face the Orioles for the first time tonight, leaving the Yankees (and Brewers, of course) as the only Major League team that he has not pitched against in his career.
Four Goodness Sake!
The Brewers are a Major League-best 28-4 (.875) when scoring at least 4 runs in a game.
Sealing The Deal
The Brewers are 32-0 when leading (27-0) or tied (5-0) after 8 innings.
Devinly Body
Devin Williams has gone 10-for-10 in save opportunities…..he is unscored upon in 18 of his 19 outings, posting a 0.46 ERA…..opponents are batting just .119 (8-for-67, 1hr) and he has a 0.86 WHIP with 26 K in 19.2 innings.
The Brice Is Right
Rookie infielder Brice Turang has yet to commit a Major League error in 191 total chances (165 at 2B/26 at SS).
Most Regular Season Wins
National League – Since 2017
Team Wins
Los Angeles ……………………………………597
Atlanta ……………………………………………..518
Milwaukee ……………………………………513
TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 1 of a 6-game homestand against Baltimore (3g) and Oakland (3g)…..the Brewers are coming off a 4-3 trip to Toronto (1-2) and Cincinnati (3-1)…..following this homestand and an off day next Monday, the team takes a 2-game trip to Minnesota.
IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: SS Willy Adames (concussion), RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP JB Bukauskas (neck), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), 1B Darin Ruf (right knee), OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow), OF Jesse Winker (neck) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list…..Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Ruf, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 9-10-0 in series play.
Game 1: 8-11, Game 2: 12-7, Game 3: 10-9, Game 4: 2-1
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)
AT HOME: The Brewers are 16-12 at home, going 5-4-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.
ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 16-16 on the road, going 4-6-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 10 replay challenges this season, going 5-5…..their last challenge (lost) came on May 25 vs. San Francisco as a foul tip (Joey Wiemer) stood.
