Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Milwaukee Brewers

Following a weekend trip to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco Giants, the Orioles are heading back east, albeit it's only to the midwest. After a series win in San Francisco, the Orioles face the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin for three games.

Baltimore Orioles vs Milwaukee Brewers series preview

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Brewers enter this series having just split a four game set with the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. They are somehow just a half game back of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the NL Central lead despite a -21 run differential and are an even 5-5 in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Orioles have a +30 run differential.

SEASON SERIES

The last time the Brewers and Orioles met was actually in 2022, with the Orioles playing their first home series of the year against Milwaukee. It was the Brewers who won the series, winning two games of three, with the Orioles winning game one 2-0 before the Brewers one game two 5-4 and game three 4-2.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Tuesday, 6/6: Kyle Gibson vs Freddy Peralta

A couple of veterans in Gibson and Peralta square off to open the series. Gibson's last start came against the Cleveland Guardians, getting the win after allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings. On the season, he has a 3.89 ERA, 4.07 FIP, and 1.312 WHIP in 12 starts, throwing 71 2/3 innings.

Peralta enters his 12th start of the season with 60 1/3 innings under his belt, with a 4.62 ERA and 4.76 FIP to go with a 1.409 WHIP, averaging 3.7 walks per nine. The Orioles can get some offense going off Peralta. That WHIP? Tyler Wells could never.

Wednesday, 6/7: TBD vs Corbin Burnes

The Orioles have not announced a starter for the middle game. The last time this spot came up, they went with a bullpen game with Keegan Akin being an opener. However, thanks to the day off on Monday, Dean Kremer would be on regular rest to start this one after pitching the series opener in San Francisco.

Kremer to this point has a 4.43 ERA and 1.415 WHIP, but he has turned things around in a big way after a brutal start to the season. His last start saw him allow two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out six hitters in six innings against the Giants.

Burnes has 12 starts this season, pitching to a 3.75 ERA, but a 4.59 FIP suggests he's been the benefactor of good luck. His walks per nine is 3.6, just 0.1 less than Peralta. While a better pitcher than Peralta, Burnes is also someone the Orioles could get too if they have the right approach.

Thursday, 6/8: TBD vs Colin Rea

The Orioles starter for the series finale has also not yet been announced, but as was the case with Kremer, Kyle Bradish would also be on regular rest for this one thanks to the off day.

Bradish enters what would be his 11th start of the season with a 4.13 ERA, 3.99 FIP, and 1.354 WHIP over those 10 starts, tossing 48 innings. His last start didn't go so well, getting the loss with the Giants tagging him for seven hits, one walk, and three runs over four innings pitched.

Aside from one relief appearance, Rea has been in the starting rotation all season. He is decidedly worse than both Peralta and Burnes, posting a 1.268 WHIP, 4.94 ERA, and 5.40 FIP over 47 1/3 innings in 10 games. Rea is someone the Orioles offense can tee off on, in a game that could decide the series.

After a series win to start the road trip, the Orioles could use another one to end it. Against a capable foe in the Brewers, it would be icing on the cake. Let's play some ball!