Orioles Seek Four-Game Sweep vs. White Sox
The Baltimore Orioles are on a mission to complete a clean sweep against the Chicago White Sox after bagging victories in the first three games of the series.
Series Overview
The Orioles have been on fire this series, clinching wins in the first three games and now setting their sights on a sweep this Sunday afternoon. While these wins have given the Orioles a morale boost, they’ve been equally demoralizing for the White Sox.
Game Recaps and Key Moments
Saturday’s Comeback:
- On Saturday, the Orioles overcame a three-run deficit, making a dramatic comeback in the eighth inning. Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg highlighted the team’s never-say-die attitude: “We know we have a shot any time. We’re just trying to chip away.”
- Manager Brandon Hyde lauded the team’s comeback spirit: “That game offensively for us sucked for seven (innings). It was great to see us swing the bats that (eighth) inning.”
- Despite only having three singles through the first seven innings, the Orioles exploded with three home runs in the eighth.
Friday’s Rally:
- The Orioles showed their late-game strength again on Friday, rallying in the eighth inning to secure another win.
Thursday’s Controversial Win:
- The series kicked off with a dramatic and controversial finish on Thursday night, thwarting Chicago’s ninth-inning comeback hopes and setting the stage for Baltimore’s dominance.
Team Dynamics and Recent Performance
The Orioles have shown remarkable resilience and the ability to bounce back from tough spots in games. Their current streak of success follows their only three-game losing streak this season, underscoring their comeback prowess.
Jordan Westburg’s Insight:
- Westburg emphasized the team’s resilience: “Baseball is funny that way. The offense stays resilient. No matter what the score is, we think we have a shot. We’re going to keep trying.”
White Sox Struggles
The White Sox are trying to avoid their second sweep in three series, having been swept by the New York Yankees from May 17 to May 19. Their bullpen has been shaky, with Michael Kopech taking responsibility for the latest loss: “A tough one. Yeah, I’ve got to wear that one for a little bit.”
Pitching Matchup for the Finale
Orioles’ Starter – Kyle Bradish:
- Kyle Bradish (0-0, 2.41 ERA) will start for the Orioles. Since coming off the injured list at the beginning of May, he’s been solid, not allowing more than two runs in any of his four starts. In his last outing against St. Louis, he struck out six and issued only one walk over five innings. Bradish has never faced the White Sox in his career.
White Sox’s Starter – Garrett Crochet:
- Garrett Crochet (5-4, 3.75 ERA) will start for the White Sox. He’s on a 19-inning scoreless streak and aiming for a perfect May after going 4-0 in his past four starts. Crochet’s success is a turnaround after the White Sox lost five straight games he started. In his four-year career, Crochet has made two relief appearances against the Orioles, not allowing a run in two innings.
Key Players and Performances
Orioles’ Closer Situation:
- The Orioles are figuring out their closer role. Cionel Perez stepped up on Saturday, earning his first save of the year with what manager Hyde called “lights-out stuff.”
White Sox’s Offensive Contributions:
- First baseman Gavin Sheets has driven in five runs in the series.
- Third baseman Bryan Ramos, back from a quad strain, went 0-for-4 in his first game back since May 14.
Conclusion
The Orioles are looking to cap off a sweep and keep their momentum going, while the White Sox aim to avoid another series sweep and recover from their recent struggles. Sunday’s game is set to be crucial for both teams, with Baltimore hoping to keep their offensive edge and Chicago seeking solid performances from their starter and bullpen.
–Field Level Media