After surprisingly winning two of three in Atlanta, the Orioles will now return home to take on the Mariners for a three-game set.
The Orioles (23-53) have been playing much better in recent times by winning four of their last seven contests. The bats also seem to be heating up as they’ve scored an average of six runs a game during that span, and they’ll be looking for more of the same during their upcoming seven-game home stand.
The Mariners (47-31) head into town in second place in the AL West and currently hold a six-game advantage over the Angels for the second wild card slot in the American League. Despite going just 1-6 over their last seven games, they’ll be confident that the minor snag in the road will come to pass after going 12-3 over the first fifteen games in June.
Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.72 ERA) will take on Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.14 ERA) in tonight’s series opener.
Cashner blanked the Nationals over four innings before a lengthy rain delay ended his night in his last outing, but he will be looking to pick up where he left off against the Mariners. He’s allowed just six runs over his last sixteen innings combined over three starts.
Hernandez was no-decisioned despite holding the Yankees to one run over five innings in his last start, and has been steadily returning to form as of late. He owns a stout 3.13 ERA over 23 innings pitched through four starts in June.
Kevin Gausman (3-6, 4.38 ERA) will get the nod against James Paxton (6-2, 3.72 ERA) on Tuesday.
Gausman turned in a solid performance by allowing just two runs over six innings against the Nationals during his last outing, and will be looking to keep the ball rolling versus Seattle. Gausman has gone winless over his last seven starts while going 0-4 with a 6.03 ERA during that span.
Paxton took just his second loss of the season after allowing four runs over five innings versus the Yankees, and will be looking for a bounce back at Camden Yards. After going 3-0 with a sparkling 1.67 ERA over six starts in May, Paxton owns a 5.73 ERA through four starts in June.
Alex Cobb (2-9, 6.56 ERA) will take the mound against Wade Leblanc (3-0, 3.26 ERA) on Wednesday.
Cobb was denied a deserved win after silencing the Braves to just one run on four hits over seven innings in his last start, but will be looking for a repeat performance against the Mariners. He’s gone 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA through four starts in June.
Leblanc was lit up for six runs on eleven hits over just 4 2/3 innings during his last start in Boston, and will be looking to avoid the same fate against the Orioles. After going 1-0 with a stellar 1.72 ERA over six starts in May, Leblanc has posted a 4.64 ERA through four starts in June.
Dylan Bundy (6-7, 3.75 ERA) will match up (ed note: maybe not) against Mike Leake (8-4, 4.11 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday.
Bundy earned his sixth win of the season after holding the Braves to two runs over 6 1/3 innings in his last start, and will be looking to stay red-hot against Seattle. Over his last seven starts, Bundy has gone 4-2 with a stellar 2.98 ERA while striking out 53 over 48 1/3 innings.
Leake picked up his eighth win of the season after shutting down the Red Sox to the tune of three hits over eight shutout innings in his last start, and will be looking to continue his current run of excellence against the O’s. Over his last seven starts, Leake has posted a 4-1 record and a phenomenal 2.17 ERA over 49 2/3 innings.
That’s it for now, folks!
Here’s to a few more in the win column.
