Probable pitchers: LHP Trevor Rogers (6-7, 4.70 ERA, 65 Ks) vs. LHP David Peterson (4-7, 6.75 ERA, 68 Ks)
Where to watch: MASN/MASN+
There have been grey clouds hanging over Baltimore since Fourth of July weekend, and there continues to be a figurative grey cloud hanging over Birdland. After building some hope with two wins in Cincinnati, the O’s are back in the midst of their ninth three-plus-game losing streak of the season—including two close losses to start this series vs. the Cubs.
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The threat of rain has moved Game 3 up from 6:35pm to a 1:35pm, matinee start time. After being let down by the offense in Game 1 and slugged to death in Game 2, Trevor Rogers and the O’s will try and salvage a win in the series finale. Baltimore’s Opening Day starter has been on a heater over the last five weeks, posting a 1.77 ERA across 35.2 IP while limiting opponents to a .188 average. In his most recent outing, he pitched five shutout innings against the Reds, leading the O’s to a 3-0 victory.
Rogers’ only other career start vs. the Cubs was one of the best (and unluckiest) starts of his Orioles career. The stingy southpaw tossed an eight-inning complete game in Wrigley Field, allowing only four hits and one run while punching out eight. Unfortunately for Rogers and Birdland, he took the L that day as the O’s lost 1-0.
Opposing him is soft-tossing lefty David Peterson. The longtime former Met is making his third start since joining the Cubs at the end of June and is coming off a really rough start vs. the Cardinals. Peterson only lasted into the 4th inning against the Red Birds, allowing 9 H, 10 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB and 3 Ks.
The O’s have struggled against even the worst left-handed starting pitchers this season. After a poor performance against Matthew Boyd on Tuesday, Baltimore is down to 24th in OPS against left-handed starters. And in contrast to his recent struggles, Boyd does have a strong recent history against the Orioles.
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In a start last season in Camden Yards, the 30-year-old lefty limited the Orioles to one run and five hits over seven innings. Baltimore won that game thanks to an 8th inning homer from Gunnar Henderson off the Mets bullpen, but will need more offensively today against the Cubs.
Orioles lineup
Cubs Lineup
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