If the Orioles are going to make a run and escape last place in the division, this would be an ideal time to start.
They’re 12 games below .500 for the first time since the conclusion of the 2021 season and 9 ½ out of first place. The Nationals, in town for a weekend series, are 18-27 and in fourth place in the National League East after losing eight of their last nine.
Tonight’s game sets up a rematch between left-handers Cade Povich and MacKenzie Gore.
The pair started on April 24 in D.C. Povich allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings and Gore allowed two runs with eight strikeouts in six innings. The Orioles won 2-1 to avoid a sweep.
Povich hasn’t pitched since May 6 in Minnesota. He’s allowed eight runs in his last two starts totaling 10 2/3 innings.
Povich has a 6.91 ERA in the first four innings this season and a 1.08 ERA in the fifth inning or later.
Gore has five quality starts this season. He’s posted a 3.59 ERA in nine outings and struck out 75 batters in 52 2/3 innings, most in the majors. He has a 2.92 ERA and 0.811 WHIP in four home starts and a 4.18 ERA and 1.464 WHIP in five road games.
Left-handers hit .272 with an .810 OPS against Gore in his career and right-handers hit .251 with a .725 OPS. He’s faced the Orioles twice and allowed five runs in 12 innings.
Ramón Laureano is 6-for-8 with two doubles against Gore. Emmanuel Rivera is 2-for-6 with a home run.
Gore has struck out at least five batters in 12 consecutive starts, the longest active streak in the majors.
Gunnar Henderson is the designated hitter tonight and batting first. Henderson is hitting .329 with a .947 OPS in his last 18 games after posting a .203 average and .623 OPS in the first 17.
Jorge Mateo is the shortstop. Laureano is in left field and batting cleanup. Ramón Urías is the third baseman.
Per STATS, the Orioles have fewer than 12 hits in 33 consecutive games, tied for their second-longest streak since moving to Baltimore in 1954. They had 35 straight games in 1988 and 33 in 1968.
The Orioles are 58-43 against the Nationals since 2006.
The Nationals are 8-15 on the road this season. Their 5.37 ERA is 28th in the majors, one spot behind the Orioles’ 5.34. Washington’s 6.75 bullpen ERA is last in the National League and 29th in the majors.
The combined .379 winning percentage between the two teams is fourth-lowest to begin the series, per STAS. The worst is .354 in May 2009.
The Orioles have allowed 95 runs with two outs, third-most in the majors. The Nationals are fourth with 93.
For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Ramón Laureano LF
Ramón Urías 3B
Jackson Holliday 2B
Tyler O’Neill RF
Cedric Mullins CF
Jorge Mateo SS
Cade Povich LHP