Baltimore Orioles: Series Outlook Against Cleveland Indians

The Baltimore Orioles travel to Cleveland for a four-game series against the Indians at Progressive Field beginning on Monday

The Baltimore Orioles aim to rebound from their sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays as they head to Cleveland for a four-game series against the Indians. In their last meeting only ten days ago, Baltimore took two out of three from the Indians in which one of those was an 18-5 routing for the O’s. The Oriole lineup that was one of the hottest in baseball in June seemed to cool down back to reality after facing the Rays. They will look for their veteran leaders to help restore some consistency in Cleveland.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BATTER: Trey Mancini (.274, 12 HR, 47 RBI) With the Baltimore lineup’s production slowing down, look to their leader Mancini to help right the ship and provide some much-needed run support for the Oriole pitching staff.

PITCHER: Matt Harvey (3-7, 7.41 ERA) The pressure is mounting for Harvey as in his last five fully rested scheduled starts, he has allowed five or more earned runs. Harvey still looks to improve and maintains good spirits as he struggles to find consistency in 2021. One can only think how long can the struggle continue for Matt Harvey in an Orioles uniform.

Monday, June 14, 2021 @ 7:10pm

Projected Starting Pitchers:

BAL: TBD

CLE: Jean Carlos Mejia (1-1, 4.15 ERA)

The Orioles have yet to determine who they are going to send to the mound to start this four-game set against the Indians. Cleveland is sending out Jean Carlos Mejia, who pitched against the O’s on June 4th and went three innings with two strikeouts while allowing no earned runs. Whether Baltimore is planning on using a pitcher by committee method or obtaining solid innings from one of their starters will determine if they can keep the Indians’ lineup at bay and get the Orioles off to a good start in the series.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 @ 7:10pm

Projected Starting Pitchers:

BAL: Matt Harvey (3-7, 7.41 ERA)

CLE: Cal Quantrill (0-2, 3.21 ERA)

The story of this game is simple, is Matt Harvey going to be able to break out of this pitching slump? Harvey started 2021 in good spirits and pitching well enough to solidify himself as the #2 pitcher in the Orioles’ rotation. Recently the performances have been frankly awful. The command isn’t there, the earned runs are up, and it’s hard to wonder how much longer we will see him in an Orioles uniform. He faces off against a bullpen pitcher in Quantrill who has yet to pitch over three innings in any of his appearances this season. If Harvey can get to five or six innings pitched and keep the damage to a minimum, the Orioles will look to take the Tuesday matchup and help Harvey gain some confidence.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 @ 7:10pm

Projected Starting Pitchers:

BAL: Keegan Akin (0-1, 4.13 ERA)

CLE: Aaron Civale (9-2, 3.17 ERA)

Baltimore is in a tough matchup on Wednesday night as they send Keegan Akin against the Cleveland right-hander Aaron Civale. Akin in his last start went four innings allowing three earned runs, however, Akin did pitch against the Indians on June 4th and went five innings allowing zero earned runs with four strikeouts. Civale is coming off an eight-inning no runs earned appearance against the Mariners. If the Orioles are going to have a chance in this one, Akin will have to find the command of his pitching he had against the Tribe on June 4th.

Thursday, June 17, 2021 @ 1:10pm

Projected Starting Pitchers:

BAL: Jorge López (2-7, 5.64 ERA)

CLE: TBD

Jorge López gets the nod in the finale of this four-game series in Cleveland. He got roughed up a bit in his last outing against the Rays, allowing five earned runs in only four innings pitched. When you face the division leaders that is bound to happen. Baltimore will be in good spirits in the series finale if the 28-year-old right-hander can give the Orioles solid innings pitched and allow under three earned runs.