The Seattle Mariners are one of the hottest teams in the major leagues, so they’re the last team that the Baltimore Orioles probably want to see.
The teams begin a three-game series Tuesday night in Baltimore.
The Mariners have won seven straight games and nine of their last 10.
“Now it’s time to take it on the road and just continue the momentum,” said Seattle manager Dan Wilson.
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh smacked his MLB-leading 45th home run Sunday.
“First thing that pops out is offense playing really well,” Raleigh said. “Guys are getting on base and setting the tone.”
Baltimore, which remains in last place in the American League East, has won only two of its last seven games.
The Orioles, who are 28-29 in home games, produced a total of 12 hits in a weekend series while losing two of three to the visiting Athletics.
Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino is counting on solid pitching to keep the team in games until the offense can get straightened out.
“I hope our starters go seven every night,” Mansolino said. “That would be wonderful. The reality is that might not happen, which means if you’re in the bullpen, you’re going to pitch.”
The Mariners and Orioles both had Monday off. It was a chance for Baltimore’s bullpen to take a breather — for now.
“We’ve had a lot of off-days here recently and we’ve been able to just rely on a few guys,” Mansolino said. “That’s going to go away here shortly.”
But the best stretch of the season for the Orioles came in late May and early June. Part of that featured a three-game sweep in Seattle when they pulled off a pair of one-run victories and posted a cumulative scoring margin of 12-6.
The Mariners have right-hander George Kirby (7-5, 4.04 ERA) ready to pitch on Tuesday. Kirby, who’ll work on five days’ rest, has won three consecutive starts and owns a 6-1 record with a 2.83 ERA since the last day of June.
The Orioles topped Kirby on June 3, scoring two runs in five innings while compiling eight hits. He’s 1-5 with a 3.80 ERA covering 42 2/3 innings in seven all-time starts vs. Baltimore.
Right-hander Dean Kremer (8-8, 4.35 ERA) will start for the Orioles. He has surrendered 12 runs across 17 innings in his last three outings. That includes taking the loss last Tuesday at Philadelphia.
In five career starts against the Mariners, Kremer is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA. He has fanned 25 batters in 28 innings.
The Orioles are counting on leadership from the few veterans still on the roster. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle returned Friday from a 10-week stint on the injury list. He celebrated with his first homer since April 30.
“He just got back and I know he’s looking around right now and he’s kind of coming to the same conclusion that he’s one of the guys now, he’s one of the leaders in that clubhouse,” Mansolino said. “And he’s got such a good way about him, and it’s so good to have him back, just in the clubhouse and just how he is.”
–Field Level Media
