Former All-Star SP's long-awaited return comes at perfect time for Orioles

Baltimore enters Means' return a few games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East, but the divisional foes aren't going away quietly, winning four games in a row.

Following the final two contests of the three-game series against the Cardinals on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Orioles will host a critical four-game set against the Rays starting on Thursday.

Things won't get any easier after that, as Baltimore then travels to face the defending World Series-champion Houston Astros in another big series from Sept. 18-20. Means is currently lined up to square off against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in the opener of that showdown on Monday.

If the 30-year-old can show some of his pre-surgery form for the stretch run, the Orioles should be in good shape to hold off Tampa Bay and win their first AL East crown since 2014.

Means made only two starts before his injury in 2022 and finished the 2021 campaign with an underwhelming 6-9 record but solid 3.62 ERA and elite 1.03 WHIP.

The former 46th-round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves burst onto the scene in 2019 when he went 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 121 batters across 155 innings pitched. Means made his lone All-Star team that year and finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.