After a quick two-game Beltway Series with the Washington Nationals, the Baltimore Orioles hit the road for a four-game series in the south side of Chicago, taking on the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. Here’s everything you need to know before entering the series.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The White Sox enter the series this weekend, riding a bit of momentum. Despite losing on Wednesday, they just came off a series win, taking two of three games from one of the Baltimore Orioles division rivals, that being the Toronto Blue Jays. The White Sox have won six of their last 10 games and are just one game under .500 on the season, sitting in 3rd place in the AL Central with a 33-34 record.
WHO’S HOT?
The White Sox enter this series with a slew of hitters performing well this season. Tim Anderson recently activated from the 10-Day IL, is still hitting at a .358 clip in 42 games. Luis Robert is playing well, with a big home run on Tuesday to up his average to an even .300 mark entering the series. Andrew Vaughn and Josh Harrison also had good days in their last series, with both coming in hot.
LAST MEETING
The last time the Orioles and White Sox met was back in July of 2021 at Camden Yards for a three-game series. It was all White Sox that series, as they swept the Baltimore Orioles, winning by scores of 12-1, 8-3, and 7-5, respectively. It’s the first time both teams meet this season, and they’ll play again in August for three games in Baltimore.
Baltimore Orioles vs Chicago White Sox series preview
PITCHING PROBABLES
Thursday, 6/23: Dean Kremer vs. Johnny Cueto
The series opener pits Kremer against Cueto. Kremer enters his fourth start of the season with a 2.35 ERA in 15 1/3 innings pitched, having allowed just one home run, but that will be put to the test against a potent White Sox offense. Kremer has struck out 10 hitters and walked four.
On the other hand, Cueto has had a bit more action this season than Kremer, entering with a 2.95 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, totaling seven starts. Cueto enters this start with 33 strikeouts to 11 walks and has allowed four home runs this season.
Friday, 6/24: Kyle Bradish vs Michael Kopech
Game two of the series pits the Orioles rookie Bradish against the White Sox flamethrower Kopech. Bradish has 10 starts under his belt this season, authoring a pretty high 7.38 ERA in 46 1/3 innings. The long ball has haunted Bradish this season, as he has only had one start where he has not allowed a homer this season.
Kopech enters this game on a nice run to start the season. In his first entire season of starting pitching, Kopech has a 2.38 ERA, has struck out 55 hitters over 56 2/3 innings, and is averaging 8.7 strikeouts every nine innings. The long ball, like Bradish, has not hurt Kopech has, as Kopech has only given up four home runs, two of which came in his last start against the Houston Astros.
Saturday, 6/25: TBD vs. Lance Lynn
The Baltimore Orioles don’t have an announced starter for this series as of Wednesday night, but they have a few options they can go with. Austin Voth got the start on Sunday in their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, and he performed well on short notice.
Baltimore Orioles vs Chicago White Sox series preview
Spenser Watkins could get the ball, as he was limited in his most recent start with Norfolk, so he could be available on Saturday if needed. They could also go to Denyi Reyes, who made a spot start earlier this season against the Boston Red Sox.
Lynn enters this start having made just two starts, recently being activated from the IL. In 9 1/3 innings this season, Lynn has a 5.79 ERA and has allowed two home runs and eight total runs, six of them being earned. He has nine strikeouts compared to two walks, with both of his walks in his most recent start against the Blue Jays.
Sunday, 6/26: Jordan Lyles vs. Dylan Cease
The series finale pits Lyles against Cease. Lyles enters this start having made 14 on the season, with a 4.92 ERA in 78 2/3 innings of work. Lyles has allowed three home runs in the month of June to go with 16 earned runs in four starts this month. He has 66 strikeouts compared to 27 walks.
Cease enters this game with the same number of starts as Lyles but has a better ERA, posting a 2.68 mark in 74 innings pitched. Cease has no trouble when it comes to the long ball, as he’s only given up five and hasn’t allowed a homer since May 24th, when he gave up two to the Red Sox.