Man, remember when the Birds finally broke through? They had just snagged a four-game win streak before the All-Star break, something they hadn’t pulled off all season. It felt like they finally figured something out, you know? But now, as they fly the coop for three games against the Houston Astros, they’re showing up a bit battered and bruised, and it’s not looking easy.
Orioles Battered, But Kremer’s Got a New Trick
Talk about a gut punch to that win streak momentum. The Orioles are missing some serious firepower. Late-inning firemen like Ryan Helsley and Keegan Akin are both on the shelf, which is a huge blow to that bullpen. And then, the absolute worst: Blaze Alexander, who was on fire at the plate, is sidelined with a fractured hand. Thanks a lot, KC’s Lucas Erceg, for that wild pitch. It’s a tough break for a guy who was their hottest hitter.
Tonight, righty Dean Kremer (1-2, 4.09 ERA) takes the mound for Game 1. This is just his first start of the year! Think about that. He didn’t even make the team out of spring training, then he had a quad injury. But he’s back, under challenging circumstances. So far, in his four starts, he’s allowed 12 runs in 22 innings. The big news? He’s leaning heavily on a new pitch, a splitter. And so far, so good: hitters are batting just .176 against it. Can this new weapon be the difference-maker against a tough lineup, especially since he’s pitched well against the Astros generally? We’ll need that splitter to be electric.
Houston’s Surprise Threat and a Fearsome Lineup
Across the diamond, Houston’s got Peter Lambert (8-5, 3.14 ERA) starting. This guy’s a fifth-year journeyman, and he’s only in the rotation because of a surfeit of starter injuries. He owned a career 6.28 ERA to date, but now? He’s a genuine nice surprise for the Astros! He’s done a good job of limiting contact, holding opponents to an excellent .204 average. The dude’s got a really extensive eight-pitch mix, primarily fastball and changeup-driven, and it’s working for him. Back in April, Lambert threw 4.1 innings and allowed two runs. He’s found something, and the Orioles need to figure it out fast.
And then there’s that Astros lineup. Fearsome Yordan Alvarez is batting DH, and he’s a beast: he’s reached base against Kremer in six of 10 plate appearances. Jose Altuve, at second base, has Kremer’s number, batting a crazy 9-for-20 against him. The Orioles’ pitching staff is going to have to navigate these guys with surgical precision. The Orioles’ lineup features Gunnar Henderson at SS, Adley Rutschman catching, Pete Alonso at first, and Jackson Holliday at second. The Astros counter with Jeremy Peña at SS, Isaac Paredes at third, and Christian Walker at first.
Tonight is Game 1. Can the Orioles, battered and bruised, overcome their injuries and Lambert’s surprising success? Kremer’s new splitter is going to be key, especially against that dangerous Houston lineup. It’s going to be a battle from the first pitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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