The Baltimore Orioles (43-25) take one of the top lineups in the AL on the road to face the Chicago Cubs (31-37) at Wrigley Field on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.
The Orioles just wrapped up a productive six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Blue Jays, taking the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Adley Rutschman was 3 for 5 with a solo home run. The Cubs are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Pirates, taking the finale 7-2 on Thursday at Wrigley Field.
Ian Happ went 3 for 5 with a triple and a double. He scored two runs and drove in two. Christopher Morel went 3 for 3 with a triple, one run, and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Orioles won three of the four games between the teams, although they were swept in their most recent meeting, a one-game set at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in August.
ON THE MOUND
Cole Irvin (1-2, 7.85 ERA) is slated to get the start for Baltimore. The southpaw allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 6-1 road win over the Royals on Saturday. He got the win, giving up six hits while striking out five.
For Chicago, right-hander Kyle Hendricks (1-2, 3.09 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Saturday, Hendricks got the win on the road against the Giants. He threw eight scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out three and walking one in the 4-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Baltimore offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, third-best in the American League, with a slash line of .254/.323/.427. Four Orioles hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Austin Hays (.851). The center fielder is slashing .306/.344/.507 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs, and 36 runs over 62 games.
Over the last five games, however, Baltimore has averaged 6.6 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.324/.376/.559). Against righties like Hendricks this season, the O’s have a .743 OPS.
Gunnar Henderson is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .894 OPS in 145 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .248/.329/.395 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Seiya Suzuki leads the team with a .812 OPS.
The left fielder has six home runs, 21 RBIs, and 25 runs scored with a slash line of .276/.369/.443. Chicago is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.290/.362/.409).
The Cubs have a .770 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.024 OPS over 52 at-bats, Cody Bellinger has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 21-12 away from Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Chicago has won three in a row at their home ballpark.
The Cubs are 18-16 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In eight games between the teams at Wrigley Field, each club has won four, though Baltimore has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.6-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, five games behind the division-leading Rays. The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, three games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
