Orioles Head Across Town for a 3 Game Set With The Nats

After a 24-2 blowout by the Cincinnati Reds the Orioles head to Washington D.C. for a 3 game series that could put the birds right back on track.  Dean Kremar, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Cade Povich are set to start, and the 9-13 Nationals could be just what the guys need to start finding their stride early in the season.

Game 1 Preview - Dean Kremar RHP 2-2 6.41 ERA vs Mitchell Parker LHP 2-1 1.85 ERA

The O’s are facing one of the most promising young pitchers in the game.  Parker offers a 4 pitch mix including a 4-seam, split, curve, and slider.  His numbers may not jump out at you as he doesn’t get a ton of Ks.  His stuff isn’t overpowering, but to start the season he’s had elite barrel %.  Meaning when hitters make contact it tends to be soft.

Expect the skipper, Brandon Hyde, to roll out a lineup that features primarily right handed hitters in this matchup.  Ramón Laureano will most definitely start in the outfield alongside Tyler O’Neill.  Center will most likely be Ceddy.  Around the horn expect Mounty, Mateo or Urias, Gunnar, Westy.  And behind the dish could be either Adley or Gary Sanchez.  DH will be Adley, Westy, Sanchez.  Kjerstad, Holliday, and O’Hearn will be most likely pinch hitters, or positional replacements.

Brandon Hyde might get heat from fans for not playing the “best guys” every day, but he knows this season is a marathon not a sprint.  The past couple years the Os have come out hot, and fizzled late.

The Nationals lineup features promising young guns from trading many World Series stars.  Juan Soto has netted them one of the best young shortstops in the game in CJ Abrams who slashed .246/.314/.433 with 20 bombs, and 32 stolen bags in 2024. Abrams will be sure to keep the keystone duo on their toes if he can get on base, and the lefty will have the edge against Deano.

The other young star the National lineup features is James Wood.  The 22 year old has elite power, and great ability to draw walks.  His average might be deceiving, but this dude mashes.  He’s got 7 bombs on the year already.  Look for Kremar to mix in more breaking pitches to confuse the young beast.

Game 2 Preview - Tomoyuki Sugano RHP 2-1 3.43 ERA vs Trevor Williams RHP 1-2 5.95 ERA

Tomoyuki Sugano has been a fan favorite to start the year.  His ERA has been good by Orioles standards, but his advanced metrics have been screaming that he’s due for negative regression.  His 6 pitch mix might take a bit of time to fully figure out with a new system, and the need for a translator for communication.  However, Sugano’s biggest feather in his cap has been his ability to not walk people.  Other than that, Baseball Savant has his xBA at .319, meaning he’s been bailed out by hard hit balls to fielders, or great defense.  Sugano will most likely need time to figure it out as the 35 year old has only 4 MLB starts under his belt.  It’ll be interesting to see if Sugano pitches better as the season progresses.

On the other side Trevor Williams is another junk throwing pitcher.  With his average 4-seam fastball coming in at 87.6 MPH.  His 5 pitches keep hitters off balance, and with a pretty even distribution it's hard to key in on one pitch.  The Orioles will look to manufacture runs featuring a left handed heavy lineup.  Expect starts from Kjerstad, Mullins, Cowser in the outfield.  O’Hearn, Holliday, Gunnar, Westy or Urias.  Adley behind the plate.  DH will be tough to say as Hyde will look to get a guy ABs.

Expect a good showing from the Os in this one if they can get on base early.  Long balls might be hard to come by with the low velo pitcher, but you never know…

Game 3 Preview - Cade Povich LHP 0-2 6.38 ERA vs MacKenzie Gore LHP 2-2 3.41 ERA

The rubber match between the beltway teams features two young pitchers.  On the Nationals side Gore is another piece that came over in the Juan Soto trade with the San Diego Padres.  The 26 year old southpaw has posted elite whiff rate, and elite strikeout rate.  But when he can’t get the ball past the hitter - they tee off.  His 5 pitch mix leverages primarily high heat, and a curve at the bottom of the zone.

The Os will roll out a righty heavy lineup against a pitcher that they need to hit hard early.  Ramón Laureano Tyler O’Neill.  Center will probably feature Cedric Mullins.  Around the horn expect Mounty, Mateo or Urias, Gunnar, Westy.  And behind the dish could be either Adley or Gary Sanchez. Adley will likely get a game off behind the plate in either game 1 or game 3 with a road matchup against the Detroit Tigers set to face off on Friday.

Cade Povich has not made a great case to stay on the major league roster when the Orioles hopefully get pitching reinforcements.  The 25 year old left hander will hope to put together a solid outing against a team that has struggled to string together consistently good baseball to start the year.  In his 4 starts Povich has been pretty disappointing, but he is young… and there hasn’t been much consistency with the Orioles starters at all.

Series Prediction Orioles Take 2, Get Series Win

The Orioles are going to be back on track with this one.  The crowd will be mixed between Orioles and Nationals fans, and the O during the anthem will get the boys ready for a battle against a National league team that doesn’t impact our playoff hopes.  A much needed day off, and a light travel day will allow the guys to show up fresh in the first, and toughest matchup. Wouldn’t be surprised at a sweep, but with the way the Orioles are playing right now - you can’t count on it.

Our prediction for series MVP is Heston Kjerstad who has been absolutely destroying the ball of late.  He may only start two games, but the 26 year old Arkansas product has been destroying baseballs.

The Orioles start a 3 game set with the Detroit Tigers on the road on Friday after the series conclusion with the Nats on Thursday.