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(Photo credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images)
Everything is enjoyable for the Baltimore Orioles at the moment despite their last-place position in the American League East.
They have been in a good groove for more than a week, largely because of thrilling finishes — including four walk-off victories in the past five games.
Baltimore will go for a three-game sweep of the National League Central-worst Pittsburgh Pirates to wrap up a homestand on Thursday afternoon.
‘It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing ball,’ Baltimore rookie outfielder Dylan Beavers said. ‘So keep it going. Winning’s fun.’
The Orioles (68-77) won in 11 innings and 10 innings in the first two games of the series, with the 2-1 outcome on Wednesday sealed by Beavers’ game-ending single.
The Pirates (64-82) have dropped five consecutive games since a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pittsburgh has had two longer losing skids this year, both of those prior to the All-Star break.
Beavers has played in 20 major leagues games since getting called up to the Orioles last month. He has experienced a fair share of critical game situations.
‘I try and control my breath, and I feel like that’s the key for me,’ said Beavers, who is batting .305. ‘No matter what I’m thinking about, if I’m breathing and my heart rate’s down, I can go out and perform.’
That’s what Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino likes seeing up and down the lineup as newcomers adjust to this level. While there is not the pressure of a pennant race, there are opportunities to make progress.
‘Our guys are hanging in there,’ Mansolino said. ‘They’re battling, they’re playing defense, they’re taking care of the ball right now, keeping us in the game, getting the big hit when we need it.’
Pirates manager Don Kelly is hoping that center fielder Oneil Cruz can put together a strong finishing stretch. Cruz is batting .130 (3-for-23) this month without a home run. He has 19 homers this season.
‘That’s what I want to see, the freedom and the joy of competing,’ Kelly said. ‘When you go through those struggles, it’s tough. These guys, they feel it every day.
Baltimore will turn to Cade Povich (3-7, 5.16 ERA) as its starting pitcher on Thursday. The left-hander will be looking to notch victories in back-to-back starts for the first time after beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 on Sept. 3. He had a shutout through five innings but was charged with four runs without recording an out in the sixth.
That outcome was the first time the Orioles won in one of Povich’s starts since June 15. He will be facing the Pirates for the first time.
Baltimore’s pitching should be in good shape in terms of availability despite the consecutive extra-inning games. The Orioles’ starters went into the seventh inning in both games of this series.
Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo (2-0, 2.70) is set for his sixth start of the season after missing all of last year following Tommy John surgery. He threw five innings in each of his past two starts, allowing only one unearned run and one hit on Friday in a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Oviedo has made just one appearance against the Orioles in his career, when he allowed one run in five-plus innings in a no-decision on May 12, 2023.
–Field Level Media
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