Orioles Hope to Extend Win Streak Against Mariners

Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Orioles continue their West Coast swing this week as they seek to extend their current win streak against the Seattle Mariners. The Orioles’ impressive performance so far this season has fans hopeful for their first playoff appearance since 2016.

As of now, the Orioles hold a record of 32-26, placing them at the top of the competitive American League West, though that lead is razor-thin. Just 10 days ago, they were 3.5 games ahead of the second-place team, but recent challenges have seen their lead dwindle to only half a game.

The Mariners boast a strong offense, ranking fifth in the league with a 111 wRC+. They have hit 79 home runs this season, which is sixth overall in Major League Baseball. At the forefront of this power is catcher Cal Raleigh, who has hit 23 home runs, tying him with baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Support from other key players is evident with J.P. Crawford, Dylan Moore, and Jorge Polanco all performing well above average. The collective strength of the offense is bolstered by six roster members maintaining an above-average wRC+ with over 140 at-bats.

On the pitching side, Mariners’ closer Andrés Muñoz has converted 17 saves in 21 opportunities, maintaining a 1.40 ERA while striking out 33 batters over 25.2 innings. Relief pitcher Gabe Speier stands out with a notable 1.96 FIP, showcasing his exceptional skills on the mound.

Despite their successes, the Mariners will be without several key players due to injuries, including Luke Raley, Victor Robles, and Logan Gilbert. A newcomer for fans to watch is 21-year-old Cole Young, the 43rd ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, who recently made his debut and already recorded a walk-off single.

The matchups for this series will feature RHP Tomoyuki Sugano against RHP George Kirby, as well as LHP Cade Povich versus RHP Emerson Hancock, and RHP Zach Eflin against RHP Bryan Woo. These games promise excitement as both teams vie for crucial wins.

The series kicks off tonight, setting the stage for a fierce battle as both teams aim to solidify their positions in the league.