Where one win streak ends another can begin. The Orioles dropped the opener to this series on Friday, but this still feels like games that they should be winning. Let’s hope that happens tonight in Sacramento.
Charlie Morton is back on the bump for the Birds. The 41-year-old has won two consecutive starts, allowing two earned runs over 12.2 innings. It’s just the latest in what has been a solid turnaround for the veteran. His season ERA has lowered from 9.38 on May 10 to 6.20 entering this game. With each outing that passes, he looks more like the rotation rock they thought they had signed.
Luis Severino will be on the other side. He is coming off his worst start of the season. Over 5.2 innings against the Twins he allowed eight runs on nine hits, one walk, and one strikeout. That ballooned his season ERA my more than half a run. The A’s have not won a Severino start since May 5, and Severino himself has just one win on the year (April 19). Although that is a result of how bad the A’s have been rather than Severino himself.
Gunnar Henderson is back in the lineup tonight, hopefully providing a needed jolt to an offense that failed to cash in on several opportunities in Game 1.
Heston Kjerstad will take a seat yet again. The returns of Colton Cowser and Ramón Laureano, plus the continued superb work from Dylan Carlson has pushed Kjerstad into a reserve role. Can he even stay on the roster once Cedric Mullins gets back? That’s something to consider once the Orioles are back on east coast.
Orioles lineup
- Jackson Holliday, 2B
- Adley Rutschman, DH
- Gunnar Henderson, SS
- Ryan O’Hearn, 1B
- Ramón Laureano, RF
- Colton Cowser, CF
- Ramón Urías, 3B
- Dylan Carlson, LF
- Maverick Handley, C
RHP Charlie Morton (2-7. 6.20 ERA)
Athletics lineup
- Lawrence Butler, RF
- Jacob Wilson, SS
- Brent Rooker, DH
- Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
- Seth Brown, CF
- Willie MacIver, C
- JJ Bleday, LF
- Logan Davidson, 3B
- Max Schuemann, 2B
RHP Luis Serverino (1-5, 4.54 ERA)
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