Orioles Sweep White Sox, First Sweep of the Year

Pitching Powers Os Past White Sox

Zach Eflin’s Friday Night Masterclass Anchors Series Opener

Veteran right-hander Zach Eflin turned in what may be his best outing as an Oriole, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over the White Sox that set the tone for Baltimore’s first sweep of the season.

Eflin scattered four hits and one walk while striking out six. He worked efficiently, mixing all six of his pitches — sinker, sweeper, cutter, four-seam, changeup, and curveball — each at least 9% of the time, which kept hitters off balance and generated weak contact throughout the night.

Against lefties, Eflin leaned on his sinker and changeup, while righties saw a steady dose of sweepers and sinkers. His pitch diversity and sequencing were key, especially in a tight game where every out mattered.

The veteran continues to build back to full strength after his early-season IL stint, and this performance offered a clear reminder of what he brings to the table: control, poise, and a deep arsenal that can navigate any lineup.

Dean Kremer Stays Hot, Delivers Quality Start in Game 2

Dean Kremer is quietly becoming one of the most reliable arms in the Orioles rotation, and Saturday’s 4-2 win over the White Sox was just the latest proof.

Kremer delivered six strong innings, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks, while striking out seven. He earned his third win of May, lowering his ERA this month to an impressive 2.72 over 36.1 innings across six starts.

The right-hander executed his game plan with precision: left-handed hitters saw a heavy mix of splitters and sinkers, while righties got a steady dose of sinkers, cutters, and four-seamers, a pitch mix that kept opponents guessing all spring.

With nine straight starts of at least 5.0 innings, Kremer is doing more than eating innings — he’s keeping the O’s in games and giving the bullpen a breather. After a rocky April, his bounce-back in May has been critical as Baltimore tries to stay afloat in the wild card race.

This version of Dean Kremer, attacking, confident, and consistent, is exactly what the Orioles need down the stretch.

Charlie Morton: Sunday Brings Uncle Charlie

Charlie Morton looked every bit the veteran ace on Sunday, delivering 6.2 innings of one-run ball (unearned) in the Orioles’ 5-1 win over the White Sox to cap off their first sweep of the season.

It was the latest, and best, sign that Morton’s early-season struggles are behind him.

April was brutal. Morton went 0-5 with a 9.26 ERA, allowing 30 hits and 24 earned runs across 23.1 innings. He couldn’t find a rhythm, and fans wondered if age had finally caught up with the 41-year-old.

But since the calendar flipped to May, it’s been a different story. Morton posted a 3.98 ERA across six May appearances, and he’s now kicked off June with his longest and sharpest outing of the year, striking out seven, walking just one, and allowing six hits over 6.2 innings — all without surrendering an earned run.

He worked in all five of his pitches — four-seam fastball, sinker, curve, cutter, and changeup — and had the White Sox hitters guessing all afternoon. His curveball in particular had sharp bite and was his most-used pitch in strikeout situations.

Morton’s ERA has dropped from 10.89 to 6.20 in just over a month, and his WHIP sits at a much-improved 1.05 over his last two starts.

After a nightmarish start to 2025, the Orioles may finally be getting the version of Uncle Charlie they were hoping for when they signed him — one who can stabilize the middle of the rotation, mentor younger arms, and keep the Birds in games.

Bullpen Bounces Back: Bautista and Baker Slam the Door

The Orioles bullpen delivered when it mattered most this weekend, with Félix Bautista and Bryan Baker locking down back-to-back wins to complete Baltimore’s first sweep of the year.

Félix Bautista picked up two more saves against the White Sox, bringing his season total to 10. While May featured a few bumps — a 5.59 ERA over 9.2 innings — Bautista now looks locked in. Across Friday and Saturday, The Mountain struck out five, allowed just one baserunner, and looked every bit the dominant closer who can take over a game.

For the season, Bautista holds a 3.86 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. His signature splitter and 97+ mph fastball are back in sync — and so is the fear factor when he steps on the mound.

Bryan Baker followed with a clean ninth inning on Sunday, earning his second career save and first of 2025. It was a well-deserved milestone for the 29-year-old, who’s been quietly excellent all season.

Baker now boasts a 2.77 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 26.0 innings, with 33 strikeouts and just 5 walks. His command, versatility, and calm in high-leverage situations have made him a crucial bridge to Bautista — and a reliable option when the closer is unavailable.

With Cano battling inconsistency and Kittredge easing back in, the late-inning duo of Bautista and Baker is starting to look like a winning formula.

If Baltimore is going to climb in the Wild Card race, it’ll be on the back of starting pitching, and a bullpen that’s finally starting to dominate.