Orioles find positives heading into series with Cardinals

The Baltimore Orioles finally have something to build off, and they'll be back home trying to do so.

The Orioles take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday afternoon to start a three-game series.

"The last two games were right where we should be," Baltimore pitcher Dean Kremer said. "It's something to build off of, and all we can do is continue to move forward after that."

By winning 5-1 in Boston on Sunday, the Orioles have won consecutive games for the first time since April 30 and May 2.

"It's always exciting when you see the wins starting to come together," Baltimore outfielder Dylan Carlson said. "The hard work starting to roll, starting to pay off. It makes the game that much more fun."

Carlson, a former Cardinals player, hit his first home run with the Orioles in Sunday's game.

"Just to come through and help the team win a game," he said. "That's always the goal."

All the news wasn't good for the Orioles, however. Catcher Adley Rutschman left Sunday's game a couple of innings after he was struck on the mask by a foul ball. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Rutschman would be re-evaluated when the team returned home, but his status for Monday's game is bound to be in question.

Maverick Handley, a rookie with less than a month of experience in the major leagues, filled in for Rutschman.

St. Louis nipped visiting Arizona 4-3 on Sunday for its third consecutive victory and seventh win in its last 10 games.

The Cardinals are hoping that outfielder Jordan Walker can get on a roll after back-to-back two-hit outings during the weekend.

"There is a very high ceiling and that is why you have to be patient," St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said of Walker. "I love the combination of his work and his mindset right now. That is what gives us hope that this is headed in the right direction."

St. Louis first baseman Willson Contreras has missed consecutive games with back discomfort, though Marmol has said it's believed to be a day-to-day situation.

The Cardinals have right-hander Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.77 ERA) lined up as their starting pitcher in the series opener. He's 2-0 across four starts in May. The no-decisions came in his last two outings -- 5 2/3 shutout innings at Philadelphia on May 14 and five innings in which he gave up four runs to Detroit last Tuesday.

This will be Fedde's 11th start of the season after making only 10 starts in 2024. In four career matchups (three starts) against the Orioles, he's 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA, giving up one run across 23 2/3 innings.

Baltimore's rotation has been jumbled, particularly after rain created postponements for two days while in Boston. The Orioles hadn't named a starter as of Sunday night.

The Orioles made a move prior to Sunday's game by activating utility man Cooper Hummel, who had been signed as a free agent.

The Cardinals will begin a six-game road trip. It's also the first of nine consecutive games for St. Louis against American League teams, with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to follow on the schedule.

The Cardinals swept the Orioles in three games last May at home.