The Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds have similar records as they go into Sunday afternoon’s series finale in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n
They’re trying to set themselves up for a good final week prior to the All-Star break.<\/p>\n
It hasn’t been easy for Reds manager Terry Francona’s team, which has dropped six of its last seven games.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Orioles try to stretch their winning streak to four games after winning the first two games of the series by three-run margins. Saturday night’s 8-5 decision came despite Cincinnati building an 11-10 edge in hits.<\/p>\n
Both teams had something positive to digest Saturday when members of their clubs were selected for the All-Star Game.<\/p>\n
Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman was named an All-Star for the American League despite landing on the injured list twice this season.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a goal of mine to go to the All-Star Game and to be able to get back there, so I feel very blessed,” said Rutschman, who also was selected in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n
Rookie catcher Samuel Basallo, who also fills the designated hitter slot for some games, has homered in each of the past two games for the Orioles.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati’s All-Stars are infielder Sal Stewart and pitcher Chase Burns on the National League side.<\/p>\n
“I’m obviously shocked because I just didn’t expect this,” said Stewart, a rookie who’s batting .254 with a team-high 17 home runs.<\/p>\n
The Orioles will send right-hander Kyle Bradish (5-8, 3.77 ERA) to the mound Sunday in an effort to complete a series sweep. He had a personal two-game winning streak end when he gave up four runs (three earned) in last Sunday’s 6-4 home loss to the Washington Nationals. He has won his last two road outings.<\/p>\n
With 96 strikeouts, Bradish is in range to reach the 100-strikeout mark for the first time since his career-high mark of 168 in 2023.<\/p>\n
Bradish has faced the Reds only once in his career, allowing two runs in five innings in a no-decision as a rookie in 2022.<\/p>\n
Baltimore’s pitchers have done the job so far in this series. Other than Cincinnati’s three-run second inning Saturday, the Reds have managed just single runs in two of the other 17 innings.<\/p>\n
“We have really good pitching,” Orioles first-year manager Craig Albernaz said. “I’m biased, obviously.”<\/p>\n
Francona said that the Reds’ starting rotation has been altered with Rhett Lowder taking a spot in the bullpen. The right-hander came through with three shutout innings in Saturday night’s game. So there’s still more to sort out.<\/p>\n
“When we get to next Sunday, we’ll see where we’re at and map it out from there,” Francona said. “We’re not trying to make Lowder a bullpen guy. We’re trying to figure out ways to protect our staff, win games and get through this next week.”<\/p>\n
Cincinnati has lined up left-hander Nick Lodolo (2-2, 5.05) as its starting pitcher for the series finale. He’s unscored upon in his last two starts covering a total of nine innings.<\/p>\n
The Reds went 0-5 in Lodolo’s five June starts, though he was charged with a loss in only one of those. In two career starts against the Orioles, he’s 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA covering 11 innings.<\/p>\n
–Field Level Media<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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