Baltimore Orioles series preview vs Los Angeles Angels

To finish their longest homestand on the season, the Orioles have four games against Ohtani, Trout and the Halos.

Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Los Angeles Angels

Baltimore, at home, had only one series loss in 2023. In their current homestand, they are 4-2 and have won 3 of the last 4 games. They had made some moves, calling up SS Joey Ortiz and carrying 12 pitchers total. To finish in a high note before taking the North, they have a tough series matchup against the Halos at OPACY.

On injured list: INF Ramon Urias (10-day IL, strained hamstring), LHP John Means (60-day IL, Tommy John surgery), RHP Mychal Givens (15-day IL, knee discomfort), RHP Dillon Tate (15-day IL, strained flexor).

The opponent

The LA Angels sits on second place in AL West (21-19), in a tight race alongside Houston and Seattle for second spot. They come to Baltimore after a three game series against Cleveland to wrap up the seven road game trip.

They're led by Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani. He's leading the MLB in bWAR (2.5) alongside Wander Franco. He's one of the best in 2023 in both sides: hitting (.287/.361/.513, 8 Home Runs, 26 RBI, 22 Runs, 5 stolen bases, 139 OPS+) and pitching (4-1, 2.74 ERA, 66 K, 3.59 FIP, .913 WHIP, 164 ERA+ in 8 starts). Curiosity: he wore a Lamar Jackson's jersey before a game in 2022, by the way.

They have Mike Trout and a resurgent Hunter Renfroe on offense and defense. Another surprise on pitching is the closer, Carlos Estevez. The 30-year-old had a 0.96 ERA and 9 saves in 2023. A tricky series for sure.

On injured list: C Logan O'Hoppe (60-day IL, torn laburn), C Max Stassi (10-day IL, hip discomfort), C Chad Wallach (7-day IL, concussion), 1B Jared Walsh (10-day IL, headaches/insomnia), RHP Davis Daniel (60-day IL, strained shoulder), RHP Chris Rodriguez (60-day IL, shoulder surgery), LHP Jose Suarez (15-day IL, strained shoulder), LHP Aaron Loup (15-day IL, strained hamstring), RHP Jose Marte (60-day IL, elbow stress reaction), LHP Jose Quijada (60-day IL, Tommy John surgery), RHP Austin Warren (60-day IL, Tommy John surgery).

Game 1: Monday, 5/15 - Grayson Rodriguez vs Shohei Ohtani

Grayson will come after his first home win in MLB. Against the brutal Rays offense, the righty had his longest game in majors (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) and he could be built to keep it up against another dangerous lineup.

Ohtani will pitch for the second time in OPACY. In his lone career start versus Baltimore, in 2021, he was the starter on the game that Baltimore snapped their 19-game losing streak that year. Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and DJ Stewart went deep against him. On offense, he hit six home runs (two at OPACY) even with a .212 batting average.

Game 2: Tuesday, 5/16 - Dean Kremer vs Chase Silseth

Kremer bounced back and appeared to regain his confidence. His last two games were superb (12.0 IP, ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 7 K), much needed for him, the Orioles and the starting rotation. Just keep it going.

The probable starter for Los Angeles will make his first start in 2023. In four games, the righty threw 8.1 innings with 6 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), 5 walks and 5 strikeouts. Most of this numbers came in his last game on May 7th against Texas.

Game 3: Wednesday, 5/17 - Kyle Bradish vs Griffin Canning

Like Kremer, Bradish had a great matchup against Pittsburgh, allowing three hits and striking out six in 6.0 IP. In six starts, he doesn't have an earned run in three of them.

On the other hand, Canning didn't have the same luck. In five games, he has allowed at least two runs. In his last two games, the Cardinals and Astros had five runs each. A good matchup to pile up runs against a struggling pitcher.

Game 4: Thursday, 5/18 - Tyler Wells vs Tyler Anderson

The Tyler's duel on Thursday's matinee. Wells was brilliant last Saturday with an one-hit game in 7.0 innings. The lowest WHIP in majors made his own not only in Orioles' rotation, but put his name on MLB radar for actual great pitchers.

Anderson hasn't repeated his 2022 season on the other side of Los Angeles freeway. He hasn't won a game since his debut in early April, but he doesn't have a loss all season. The lefty has a 5+ ERA. His last game in Cleveland, he threw 6.0 IP and allowed 6 hits and 3 earned runs.