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Baltimore Orioles Strong Start to 2024 Season

Originally posted on The Forkball | By Mo Arslan | Last updated 4/2/24

Baltimore Orioles‘ pitchers aim to maintain their successful performance in the beginning of the 2024 season as they face the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series starting on Monday.

Series Opener: Kremer vs. Wacha

In the opening game of the series, Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer (13-5, 4.12 ERA in 2023) will face off against Royals veteran pitcher Michael Wacha (14-4, 3.22).

Orioles’ Performance Against the Angels

Orioles starting pitchers Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez both delivered solid performances, each pitching six innings and allowing only one run. The Orioles secured victories of 11-1 and 13-4 against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday and Saturday. Tyler Wells also put in a strong effort on Sunday, pitching six innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits. He recorded seven strikeouts without issuing any walks.

Orioles’ Rotation Quality

“We have a quality rotation, and I think that it’s going to continue to show itself,” Wells said. “I think that it’s going to be a strong suit for the team this year.”

Orioles’ Offense Against the Angels

Baltimore Orioles did not maintain their undefeated record as they faced the Angels in the the 2024 season. Despite strong offensive performances in the first two games, the Orioles struggled against the Angels pitchers on Sunday, only managing to collect three hits and five walks. They left eight runners on base and their only run in the 4-1 loss was scored on a bases-loaded walk.

James McCann’s Take on the Game

“That’s baseball, right?” Baltimore catcher James McCann said. “Just because you have two really good games offensively doesn’t mean you’re going to have three.

“That’s the beauty of 162 games is you’re going to have your ups, you’re going to have your downs as an individual and as a team. Today, we just didn’t click.”

Kremer’s Performance in 2023

Kremer, who is 28 years old, started 32 games last season and posted a 2-0 record with a 2.60 ERA in his last seven appearances. Baltimore had a 6-1 record in those games. He also won his single previous start against the Royals in 2022, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings.

Wacha’s Career and Injury

Wacha, 32, signed with the Royals in December, getting a two-year, $32 million deal with an opt-out after 2024. He made 24 starts for the San Diego Padres last season and won his last three appearances. Wacha exited his final spring training start after being hit on the pitching hand by a liner up the middle.

“We are really lucky, he is really lucky,” manager Matt Quatraro said of Wacha, whose X-rays on his middle finger came back negative. “We feel fortunate that it wasn’t anything worse.”

Wacha is 3-1 with a 5.19 ERA in 10 career starts vs. the Orioles.

Source: REUTERS

This article first appeared on The Forkball and was syndicated with permission.

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