Orioles vs. Cardinals Rain Delay - 5/22/24: Updates, start time, John Means' velocity
Not again.
Sorry, Orioles fans, but it seems though Baltimore isn't meant to play in St. Louis this week. After finishing up a suspended game earlier on Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals have entered a second rain delay in 24 hours. This stinks.
Game 1 of today's doubleheader at Busch Stadium ended with a 3-1 Orioles loss. Jacob Webb was saddled with the L despite not even pitching on Wednesday afternoon. Webb came on in relief of starter Kyle Bradish on Tuesday before the game was suspended.
When the game resumed Wednesday afternoon — with a runner on first and two outs — the Cardinals' first batter sent a 1-2 fastball into the bleachers to break the 1-1 tie. St. Louis turned to closer Ryan Helsley in the top of the ninth inning and that's all she wrote.
Orioles vs. Cardinals Rain Delay
But there was supposed to be enough of a break in the cruddy St. Louis weather for the O's and Cards to play two on Wednesday afternoon. That turned out not to be the case, as play was stopped in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Orioles nursing a 3-0 lead.
The Orioles have a date with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, so pushing the game until tomorrow is no-go. With Game 2 of the doubleheader still in the fourth inning, MLB rules won't even allow the score to go final. As of this moment, it appears as though the game will resume at 3:20 p.m. CT (4:20 if you're in Baltimore).
Orioles starter John Means injury concerns
While Orioles fans just want to see their team get out of the Gateway City with at least one win, there's probably more concern surrouding John Means. As Orioles beat writer Matt Weyrich points out, Means' velocity was down during today's game.
It also seemed as if Means was already done for the day having thrown just 51 pitches. MASN captured footage of Means heading to the clubhouse with the O's pitching coach, and it would seem that Albert Suarez will be coming on for Means if/ when the game restarts. The lefty was also spotted grimacing after completing his delivery, as spotted by catcher James McCann.
The Orioles can't get out of St. Louis soon enough.