The Baltimore Orioles’ season has taken on a different tone with some success over the past couple of weeks.
Now they could enjoy some restocking of the lineup in time to take on the visiting Detroit Tigers, who arrive to begin a three-game series Tuesday night.
The Orioles will go from facing one of the worst teams in the majors to the team with the best record in the big leagues. While Baltimore is coming off a 4-2 road trip, it dropped two of three to the lowly Athletics.
“It’s on to the next series,” Orioles infielder Coby Mayo said. “If you’re worrying about this past series or the series before that, you’re going to find yourself not worrying about what’s in front of you. Obviously, you got a really good team coming into town on Tuesday, just got to be ready for that.”
Baltimore could have infielder Jordan Westburg and outfielder Cedric Mullins ready to return to action this week after spending several weeks on the injured list.
Speculation might be focused on Mayo, whose role could be heightened with first baseman Ryan Mountcastle going on the IL.
“I don’t really know exactly what’s going to be happening in the next few days,” Mayo said. “If it is me staying here, then I’m going to do everything I can to put a good product on the field.”
Interim manager Tony Mansolino suggested that Mayo might be in line for an uptick in opportunities.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Mansolino said. “I think everybody sees it. We’re really excited about Coby.”
The Tigers are fresh off taking two of three games against the Chicago Cubs in front of three home sellout crowds during an intense series between divisional leaders.
Detroit has received an array of contributions while seeing players produce in various ways. For example, right fielder Kerry Carpenter, who has hit 13 home runs this season, threw out a runner at the plate Sunday.
“I’m seeing him become more confident and obviously more productive in the outfield,” said Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, who picked up his 350th victory as Tigers manager Sunday.
The Orioles listed left-hander Cade Povich (1-4, 5.11 ERA) as Tuesday night’s starting pitcher. He had a solid outing in Wednesday’s no-decision at Seattle. While he gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, it marked the first time Baltimore won one of his starts since April 30.
Povich faced Detroit twice last season in consecutive outings, both won by the Tigers. (He was the losing pitcher in just one of those games.) Combined, he logged 10 innings and gave up four runs while striking out 15 batters.
The Tigers are expected to send right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 7.36 ERA) to the mound. It will be his second appearance of the season and the sixth big-league outing of his career. He went 3 2/3 innings and gave up three runs to the host Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
Gipson-Long’s lone victory came in his major league debut on Sept. 10, 2023.
–Field Level Media
