The Baltimore Orioles (24-13) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-17) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series. The Pirates are heading on the road after a difficult six-game homestand (1-5).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rockies, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at PNC Park. Andrew McCutchen was 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Tucupita Marcano added a solo home run.
The Orioles are in the midst of a 10-game homestand. They won two of three against the Rays in their last series, taking the finale 2-1 on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Austin Hays went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Orioles won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Johan Oviedo (2-3, 5.59 ERA) is set to start for Pittsburgh. The RHP allowed seven runs (six earned) over five innings in his last start, an 8-2 road defeat against the Blue Jays on Saturday.
He was charged with the loss, yielding 10 hits while striking out three and walking three. Righty Kyle Bradish (1-1, 5.95 ERA) gets the start for Baltimore.
In his last start on Saturday, Bradish took a no-decision on the road against the Braves. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two in the 5-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.328/.415. Connor Joe leads the team in OPS at .912. The left fielder is slashing .274/.374/.538 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, and 19 runs over 33 games.
Over the last five games, though, Pittsburgh has averaged only 1.8 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.196/.293/.327). Against righties like Bradish this season, the Bucs have a .730 OPS.
Bryan Reynolds is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.013 OPS in 100 at-bats. Baltimore is slashing .252/.334/.416 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game. Hays leads the team with ann .856 OPS.
The center fielder has four home runs, 13 RBIs, and 19 runs scored with a slash line of .304/.352/.504. Baltimore is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.198/.276/.293).
The O’s have a .720 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .847 OPS over 82 at-bats, Adley Rutschman has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 11-8 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 5.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.5 runs.
Baltimore has gone 11-5 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In the last 10 meetings at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 6.1-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates lead the NL Central by zero games over the Brewers. The Orioles are second in the AL East, four games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
