Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Washington Nationals
![Apr 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer (64) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5257,h_2957,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/11/01gyaj3wgz27e3ajdm2w.jpg)
Following a series win on the road against the Chicago White Sox, the Baltimore Orioles travel back to the DC-Maryland area, getting set for a quick two game edition of the Beltway Series against the Washington Nationals.
9-7. 5-11. 90. . 7:05 PM ET. 11. MASN. April 18-19
Baltimore Orioles face the Washington Nationals in the Beltway Series
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Nationals are a predictably bad team this season, sitting at 5-11 and are 1-4 in their last five games after salvaging a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Jeimer Candelario's three home runs and nine RBIs lead the team in both categories, while Lane Thomas leads the team in batting average with a .323 clip, although Stone Garrett has a .563 average in just a four game sample.
SEASON SERIES
In four meetings last season, the Orioles went 3-1 against the Nationals. They lost the first game of the season 3-0 in June, then won the second game of that series 7-0. They met again in September, with Baltimore winning both of those games by scores of 4-3 and 6-2.
PITCHING PROBABLES
Tuesday, 4/18: Dean Kremer vs Josiah Gray
The series opener pits Kremer against Gray. Kremer has had a bumpy season, with a 9.49 ERA in three starts. He didn't make it out of the fifth inning in his most recent start, allowing four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics.
Gray is seen as one of the young stars of a future Nationals rotation. Gray has made three starts this season, recording a 4.32 ERA in 16 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs while striking out 13 hitters.
Wednesday, 4/19: TBD vs MacKenzie Gore
For the series finale, the Orioles have not yet announced a starter, but it appears to be Kyle Bradish. Being placed on the IL after being drilled by a comebacker in his first start of the season, he is first eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday. If he does indeed start, it will be his second of the season.
Like Gray, Gore is seen as an up and coming star in the Nationals rotation, acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto deal. Gore has made three starts, allowing five runs on 10 hits and 18 strikeouts in 15 innings, giving him an even 3.00 ERA.
Entering this series with two straight series wins, the Orioles will look to make it three in a row against their neighbor down I-95. Let's play ball!