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Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Philadelphia Phillies

The Orioles play another interleague series, this time against the Phillies

By Michael Najarian|
Jul 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) hits a ball in a game against the Minnesota Twins
Jul 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) hits a ball in a game against the Minnesota Twins | Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

After taking on the always tough Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles leave Florida behind and head north to the city of brotherly love to face the Philadelphia Phillies for three games as they resume their slate of interleague games in 2023.

Baltimore Orioles resume interleague slate with three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Phillies enter this game in the midst of a downward skid, having lost four straight and six of 10 before salvaging the final game of the series against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. They've lost two of three series out of the All Star Break and are a half game out of a wild card spot.

SEASON SERIES

The last time the Orioles and Phillies matched up was in September of 2021 in Philadelphia. The Orioles won the first game of the series 2-0, but the Phillies won game two 3-2 and game three 4-3 to win the series.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Monday, 7/24: Dean Kremer vs Cristopher Sánchez

Kremer starts the opener for the Orioles on the heels of a shaky outing. Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he allowed five runs on four hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. His ERA now sits at 4.80, with a 5.06 FIP and 1.344 WHIP accompanying it.

Sánchez has made seven starts this season, sporting a 3.06 ERA, 3.94 FIP, and 1.047 WHIP over 35 1/3 innings of work. He averages 1.5 walks per nine and 7.6 strikeouts per nine so far, with a strikeout to walk ratio of exactly 5.0.

Tuesday, 7/25: Kyle Gibson vs Taijuan Walker

Gibson had a solid enough start for the Orioles against the Rays his last time out, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings, a 4-3 win for the Orioles. He now has a 4.76 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and 1.355 WHIP over 21 starts and 121 innings pitched.

Walker has had an average season for the Phillies in year one of a multi year contract. He has a 4.11 ERA, 4.37 FIP, and 1.258 WHIP over 20 starts, also averaging 7.9 strikeouts per nine and 3.6 walks per nine in 107 1/3 innings. He's certainly a pitcher the Orioles can get too with his high walk rate and low strikeout rate.

Wednesday, 7/26: Kyle Bradish vs Ranger Suárez

Bradish, one of the Orioles best starters this year, gets the series finale. He took the loss against the Rays in his last start, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk, striking out five over six innings, with his record now 6-5 on the season.

So far in his second big league season, Bradish has a 3.05 ERA, 3.53 FIP, and 1.130 WHIP through 18 starts this season. He is averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine and 2.3 walks per nine over 97 1/3 innings, being able to reach 100 innings in this start should there be no hiccups.

Suárez is entering what would be his 14th start of the season thus far. He's thrown 73 innings over 13 starts, authoring a 4.07 ERA, 1.397 WHIP, and 3.85 FIP to go with 3.3 walks per nine and 8.3 strikeouts per nine, with a 2.48 strikeout to walk ratio.

This series is a good opportunity for the Orioles to boost their interleague record on the season, the first year they face the other 29 teams in the league. They're also catching the Phillies at the right time, as they're in the middle of a skid. Let's play some ball!

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