Orioles Struggle Early as Diamondbacks Eye Redemption

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Baltimore Orioles are facing early season challenges, sitting at 4-6 after ten games, as they prepare to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series starting Tuesday at Chase Field.

Despite the early struggles, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde remains optimistic. “It’s not time to panic yet,” he said. The team is dealing with injuries to key players, including outfielder Colton Cowser and pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, as they look to regain momentum following a difficult road trip.

Last week, the Orioles managed only one win in their three-game set against the Kansas City Royals. After an encouraging return of rookie Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles still suffered setbacks. “We need to start better in games,” Henderson noted.

In contrast, the Diamondbacks are coming off a disappointing weekend series, having lost two games in Washington, where they struggled defensively, allowing multiple runs in the first innings of each game.

The Orioles will not face Corbin Burnes during this series. Burnes, recently acquired by Arizona, has shown remarkable skill in his early outings, raising concerns for opposing teams.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have struck long-term deals with their young stars, Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte. Carroll signed an eight-year, $111 million contract in 2023, while Marte secured a six-year, $116.5 million extension just last week. “We’re excited about what they bring to the team for years to come,” said Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen.

With a powerful lineup featuring Eugenio Suárez, who has already hit five home runs this season, the Diamondbacks are looking to bounce back. They traded for Josh Naylor over the offseason to replace Christian Walker, solidifying their offensive capabilities.

The match-up on the mound features the two starting pitchers, Zac Gallen for Arizona and Zach Eflin for Baltimore. Gallen, a centerpiece of trade rumors, has been consistent, striking out 13 batters over 6.2 innings in his last outing. Eflin has shown promise, earning a win on Opening Day but struggled in his latest start against the Boston Red Sox.

“It’s crucial for us to capitalize on solid pitching performances,” Hyde emphasized as the team seeks to find stability amid inconsistent shows on the mound.

The Orioles’ Charlie Morton has not started well, failing to deliver quality starts in his appearances so far this season. Morton expressed the need to refine his game, stating, “I need to figure things out quickly.”

In the shadows of these two teams, Dean Kremer is expected to step up for Baltimore. Without Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish, Kremer faces increased pressure. He needs to find consistency after allowing five runs in his previous outing.

On the other hand, the Diamondbacks also look to solidify their rotation, having recently signed pitcher Brandon Pfaadt to a five-year, $45 million extension. Pfaadt, who has faced challenges early in his big league career, remains a development focal point for the D-backs’ management.

As the series approaches, both teams realize the importance of these games. For the Orioles, a strong showing would help regain confidence; for the Diamondbacks, a series win could restore momentum after a challenging weekend.