As good as it gets — Phillies vs. Orioles series preview, June 14-16
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning in Game 1 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Phillies’ first series back in America after splitting the two-gamer in London did not go exactly as intended. The starting rotation was nowhere near as sharp as usual, as they dropped two of three at Fenway Park.
Now, they fly south to Baltimore to take on one of the beasts in the AL East, the Orioles.
Running into some trouble
The Phillies have run into some adversity. Since those back-to-back sweeps of the Nationals and Rangers, they are 9-8.
They obviously have not been their best recently, which may be a problem with their upcoming schedule three against the Orioles, Padres, and Diamondbacks, along with the Dodgers and Yankees looming in a month.
Cristopher Sanchez and Aaron Nola were both bad against the Red Sox and, well, that happens sometimes, especially with so much rest thanks to London. But if the Phils want to win this series, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, and Taijuan Walker need to be at their best against one of the best lineups in baseball.
If the pitching cannot get the job done, they may be in trouble since the lineup has not been spectacular recently without Trea Turner, Brandon Marsh, and J.T. Realmuto. Turner and Marsh are getting close to returning, as Marsh is currently rehabbing in Reading, but we may not get them back by the end of this series.
The best yet
The Orioles won 101 games in 2023, are 45-23 so far in 2024, and are on pace for 109 wins. This is, by far, the best team the Phillies have seen so far this season.
It is also the first time ever the Phils and O’s meet at Camden Yards when both clubs have a winning record, which is pretty wild.
The Orioles have been solid in almost every aspect so far. They rank second in the league in runs scored, and their pitchers have allowed the second least. The star so far has been shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who may follow up a Rookie of the Year campaign with an MVP award the next season, similar to Cal Ripken Jr. who did it in 1981-82.
The O’s are coming off a series win over the Braves, who are free, free-falling.
Welcome back to the jungle
There is a very good chance the Phillies will be running into an old friend this weekend.
Craig Kimbrel got a 1 year, $13,000,000 contract with Baltimore this offseason after imploding in the postseason last year.
A year ago this time, Kimbrel was electric with Jose Alvarado out with an injury. Kimbrel took on a heavy workload and saved a lot of close games for the 2023 Phillies. Now, he is pretty solid. After some instability in April, he has gotten the save on his last nine attempts.
As long as he does not get a light show with “Welcome to the Jungle” playing in the background, maybe he will stay solid.
In a complete bullpen outlook, though, the Orioles ‘pen is not great. So if they can get through some of these starters, especially the one on Sunday, they may be fine.
Battle of the Aces
How about this matchup on Father’s Day Sunday? Phillies’ ace Wheeler goes up against Orioles ace Corbin Burnes. That is a good gift saver if you did not get your dad anything.
Burnes was acquired in an offseason trade with the Brewers and has lived up to the hype with a 2.08 ERA.
That is going to be a ton of fun.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Friday, June 14, at 7:05 pm ET, on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP
Saturday, June 15, at 4:05 pm ET, on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP
Sunday, June 16, at 1:35 pm ET, on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Ranger Suarez (LHP, 10-1, 1.81 ERA) vs Kyle Bradish (RHP, 2-0, 2.62 ERA)
Game 2: Taijuan Walker (RHP, 3-1, 5.40 ERA) vs Grayson Rodriguez (RHP, 7-2, 3.27 ERA)
Game 3: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 8-3, 2.16 ERA) vs Corbin Burnes (RHP, 7-2, 2.08 ERA)
By the Numbers
- Records
- Phillies: 46-22
- Orioles: 45-23
- Run Differential
- Phillies: 103
- Orioles: 107
- Runs Scored Per Game
- Phillies: 5.07
- Orioles: 5.10
- Runs Allowed Per Game
- Phillies: 3.56
- Orioles: 3.53
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