The Orioles head into Tuesday night’s matchup in St. Louis with a chance to turn a big opening statement into something more. After hammering the Cardinals 13-1 to begin the nine-game road trip, Baltimore now gets another look at a Cardinals staff led by right-hander Michael McGreevy.
McGreevy has put together a 3.54 ERA across 25 starts this season, but there are openings for hitters to exploit. He has allowed 18 home runs in 137.1 innings and doesn’t miss bats at a big rate, sitting at 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
He’s spent his entire short career with St. Louis, and the only player who has faced him before is Pete Alonso, who went 0-for-2.
Baltimore will counter with Kyle Bradish, who did enough to keep the Orioles in the game in his last outing against the Yankees on August 20, even without his best stuff. He allowed traffic on the bases and gave up two home runs, but the loss wasn’t on him.
The Orioles are also making a few lineup adjustments for the right-handed McGreevy. Alonso is back at designated hitter, with Samuel Basallo starting at first base. Left-handed bats Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers are both in the lineup, while Coby Mayo begins the night on the bench.
There’s also a roster wrinkle involving Tyler O’Neill, who left after his game-saving catch last Saturday with a shoulder injury. An MRI on Monday showed a rotator cuff strain, and Luis Vázquez is set to take his spot on the roster, though that move was not official as of 6:25. O’Neill hasn’t been on the injured list since April.
Baltimore’s lineup puts Jackson Holliday at second base, Alonso at DH, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Basallo at first, Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third, Beavers in left, Leody Taveras in right, Cowser in center, and Carlos Narváez behind the plate.
St. Louis counters with JJ Wetherholt at shortstop, Iván Herrera at DH, Alec Burleson at first, Jordan Walker in right, Nathan Church in center, José Fermín at second, Nolan Gorman at third, Bryan Torres in left, and Jimmy Crooks catching.
First pitch is set for 7:45 EDT on MASN/MASN+.
In Other News...
Orioles Suddenly Need Answers On Tyler O'Neill's Shoulder
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Luis Vzquez was traveling to join the club as a potential roster replacement, a sign the Orioles are preparing for at least some short-term shuffling while they sort out ONeills status. For a team already trying to keep its lineup intact, the next update on the shoulder could determine whether this is a brief interruption or a deeper concern. [Read more 🡒]
Jackson Holliday Has A Personal Reason This Busch Stadium Game Hits Different
Jackson Holliday is set to lead off and play second base for Baltimore at Busch Stadium, and this one figures to feel a little different than a normal road game. It will be his first time playing there, even though the ballpark has been part of his life for years because his father, Matt Holliday, spent a memorable run with the Cardinals. For Jackson, the setting comes with the kind of built-in history most players only pick up by accident.
He has been around St. Louis enough to have childhood memories tied to the stadium, including the 2011 World Series and visits to his childhood home. So while the Orioles are just trying to get through another game on the schedule, Holliday is walking into a place loaded with family, familiar scenes and old memories. It gives this matchup a personal layer that goes well beyond the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Jackson Holliday Just Gave Orioles Fans Another Reason To Believe
Busch Stadium brought back a lot for Jackson Holliday long before he stepped into the batters box there this week. The 22-year-old Orioles infielder grew up making trips to St. Louis during his father Matt Hollidays playing days, and this one had a different feel with family watching from the stands as Jackson took another turn on a stage that has long been part of his baseball story.
He gave them plenty to enjoy. Holliday reached base multiple times in the game, another encouraging sign for an Orioles lineup looking for steady production from one of its most important young pieces. Matt Holliday said he is proud of his sons progress and has tried to be a supportive parent first, and nights like this only add to the sense that Jackson is settling into the big leagues on his own terms. [Read more 🡒]