The Baltimore Orioles seem to have their ducks in a row, while the Atlanta Braves are in desperate need of a reboot as they prepare to face off Tuesday night in Baltimore. Fresh off a stellar 6-2 road trip, the Orioles capped it with a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, concluding with a solid 5-2 win on Monday night. Now, after a grueling 14-game stretch against American League East rivals, Baltimore is gearing up for six straight interleague games.
In contrast, the Braves are limping into Baltimore with a 2-4 record on their nine-game road trip. After splitting two games in Boston, they dropped three of four to the Washington Nationals and enjoyed a day off on Monday to lick their wounds.
This series had all the ingredients of a blockbuster showdown until Atlanta hit a skid. Baltimore racked up 42 hits against Tampa Bay, with 21 of them going for extra bases, making it clear that the Braves might find Camden Yards an unfriendly place to stage a comeback.
The Braves are trying to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season, a four-game slide from May 15-20. Their offense has been sputtering like an old lawnmower, averaging fewer than three runs per game over the past five contests.
On the flip side, the Orioles have been on a tear, winning 14 of their last 18 games. Leadoff batter Gunnar Henderson has been setting the tone, doubling and hitting his 21st home run of the season on Monday night.
Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher
The Braves will send left-hander Max Fried (6-2, 2.93 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can extend his personal winning streak to four starts. Fried is coming off an 8-3 victory over the Red Sox, where he fanned 13 batters and allowed just three runs (two earned) in seven innings. He has been a workhorse, going at least seven innings in his last three starts. Fried’s track record against Baltimore is a mixed bag with a 1-1 record and a 3.00 ERA in two starts.
Baltimore Orioles Starting Pitcher
Baltimore will counter with right-hander Albert Suarez (2-0, 1.83 ERA), who has been rock-solid since reclaiming a starter role in his last three outings. Suarez’s only experience against the Braves dates back to his rookie season in 2016 with the San Francisco Giants, where he went 0-1 in two starts, allowing six runs over 9 1/3 innings.
The Orioles have been keeping their bullpen fresh with strong performances from their starters. On Monday, starter Corbin Burnes went seven innings, followed by Yennier Cano and Craig Kimbrel (who notched his 15th save) each pitching an inning to seal the deal.
Atlanta Braves vs Baltimore Orioles Pick 6/11
The Baltimore Orioles seem to be firing on all cylinders, fresh off a successful road trip and a dominant sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. Their offense is clicking, and they’ve shown a knack for extra-base hits, which will be a significant challenge for the Braves’ pitching staff. Gunnar Henderson is on a tear, setting the table for the rest of the lineup with his power and consistency.
On the mound, the Orioles have the advantage with Albert Suarez, who has been a reliable force since returning to the starter’s role. With a bullpen that’s well-rested and effective, the Orioles have the pitching depth to maintain their momentum.
The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, are struggling to find their groove, having lost four of their last six games. Max Fried has been a bright spot with a strong recent performance, but he will need run support, which has been lacking. The Braves’ offense has been inconsistent, and they’re averaging fewer than three runs per game over the last five contests.
Given the current form and the home advantage, the Orioles are likely to take the series. While the Braves have the talent to turn things around, their recent struggles make it tough to bet against the red-hot Orioles. Expect Baltimore to capitalize on their momentum and the Braves to face an uphill battle to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season.
Final Prediction: Orioles win the series 2-1
This is not an official pick, this pick is for entertainment purposes only. Be sure to sign up below to receive today’s official pick, for free, sent straight to your email address. So far this season here at Elite Sports Beat I am 21-12 (63%) https://elitesportsbeat.com/2023-24-sports-record/
Discover more from Elite Sports Beat
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
No Comments Yet