The Baltimore Orioles (43-27) are on the road to face the Chicago Cubs (33-37) at Wrigley Field on Sunday with the home team in position for a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Cubs lead the series 2-0 after winning 3-2 on Saturday, their fifth straight victory overall. Justin Steele went five innings for the win, giving up two runs on five hits, and Adbert Alzolay earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.
Nico Hoerner went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs in the win. Adley Rutschman was 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Orioles.
ON THE MOUND
Dean Kremer (7-3, 4.74 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Baltimore. The righty is tied for fifth in the AL in wins. Kremer allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, an 11-6 home win over the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
He was credited with the win, yielding eight hits while striking out six. For Chicago, right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-4, 6.70 ERA) gets the ball.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Orioles. Taillon made four appearances against the Orioles in 2022, all starts, striking out 10 and walking six over 17 innings (1-0, 4.76).
In his last start on Tuesday, Taillon got the win at home against the Pirates. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out four and walking two in the 11-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Baltimore has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.9. Against right-handed pitchers like Taillon this season, the O’s have a .741 OPS, the highest in the league.
Gunnar Henderson is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .871 OPS in 149 at-bats. Chicago is averaging 8.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with an improved slash line (.327/.408/.494).
The Cubs have a .711 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the highest in MLB. With a .847 OPS over 183 at-bats, Ian Happ has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 21-14 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Chicago has won five in a row in front of their home fans.
The Cubs are 20-16 at home this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 meetings at Wrigley Field, Chicago is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, six games behind the division-leading Rays. The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, three games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
