Orioles discover positives heading into collection with Cardinals

The Baltimore Orioles lastly have one thing to construct off, and so they’ll be again residence making an attempt to take action.

The Orioles tackle the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday afternoon to start out a three-game collection.

“The last two games were right where we should be,” Baltimore pitcher Dean Kremer mentioned. “It’s something to build off of, and all we can do is continue to move forward after that.”

By profitable 5-1 in Boston on Sunday, the Orioles have received consecutive video games for the primary time since April 30 and May 2.

“It’s always exciting when you see the wins starting to come together,” Baltimore outfielder Dylan Carlson mentioned. “The hard work starting to roll, starting to pay off. It makes the game that much more fun.”

Carlson, a former Cardinals participant, hit his first residence run with the Orioles in Sunday’s recreation.

“Just to come through and help the team win a game,” he mentioned. “That’s always the goal.”

All the information wasn’t good for the Orioles, nonetheless. Catcher Adley Rutschman left Sunday’s recreation a few innings after he was struck on the masks by a foul ball. Interim supervisor Tony Mansolino mentioned Rutschman can be re-evaluated when the staff returned residence, however his standing for Monday’s recreation is certain to be in query.

Maverick Handley, a rookie with lower than a month of expertise within the main leagues, stuffed in for Rutschman.

St. Louis nipped visiting Arizona 4-3 on Sunday for its third consecutive victory and seventh win in its final 10 video games.

The Cardinals are hoping that outfielder Jordan Walker can get on a roll after back-to-back two-hit outings throughout the weekend.

“There is a very high ceiling and that is why you have to be patient,” St. Louis supervisor Oliver Marmol mentioned of Walker. “I love the combination of his work and his mindset right now. That is what gives us hope that this is headed in the right direction.”

St. Louis first baseman Willson Contreras has missed consecutive video games with again discomfort, although Marmol has mentioned it is believed to be a day-to-day state of affairs.

The Cardinals have right-hander Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.77 ERA) lined up as their beginning pitcher within the collection opener. He’s 2-0 throughout 4 begins in May. The no-decisions got here in his final two outings — 5 2/3 shutout innings at Philadelphia on May 14 and 5 innings through which he gave up 4 runs to Detroit final Tuesday.

This will likely be Fedde’s eleventh begin of the season after making solely 10 begins in 2024. In 4 profession matchups (three begins) towards the Orioles, he is 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA, giving up one run throughout 23 2/3 innings.

Baltimore’s rotation has been jumbled, notably after rain created postponements for 2 days whereas in Boston. The Orioles hadn’t named a starter as of Sunday night time.

The Orioles made a transfer previous to Sunday’s recreation by activating utility man Cooper Hummel, who had been signed as a free agent.

The Cardinals will start a six-game street journey. It’s additionally the primary of 9 consecutive video games for St. Louis towards American League groups, with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to observe on the schedule.

The Cardinals swept the Orioles in three video games final May at residence.

–Field Level Media