Gunnar Henderson and the Orioles Look to Power Past the Cardinals
Gunnar Henderson is turning heads in the MLB with his explosive hitting. After smashing 28 home runs in his first full season, he’s on a roll this year, bringing a four-game homer streak into Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles are counting on his momentum to bounce back from a tough series opener.
Henderson isn’t just hitting homers; he’s evolving as a player. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I knew I had more in me and better swings to take from last year.” His focused approach at the plate, aiming to get on base and contribute whenever he can, has paid off. Now, he’s tied with the Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker at the top of the home run leaderboard.
Orioles’ Pitching Prospects: Kyle Bradish
Kyle Bradish is set to take the mound for the Orioles on Tuesday. Despite a slow start due to a sprained UCL, Bradish has been solid, posting a 2.63 ERA in his first three starts. His last outing was impressive, allowing just two runs on four hits in a tight 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bradish has had success against the Cardinals before, notably on May 10, 2022, when he struck out 11, walked none, and allowed only two runs over seven innings. A repeat performance could be just what the Orioles need.
Cardinals’ Offensive Momentum
The St. Louis Cardinals are hot right now, winning six of their last eight games and averaging 7.3 runs in those victories. Key players like Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Alec Burleson are all on hitting streaks, adding to the team’s offensive firepower.
Monday’s win saw contributions from the lower part of the batting order, with Michael Siani hitting his first career home run—a three-run shot—and Masyn Winn driving in two runs with a double and a single. Manager Oliver Marmol praised Siani’s all-around game, noting his strong defense and timely hitting.
Pitching Matchup for the Cardinals: Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn will start for the Cardinals on Tuesday. With a 1-2 record and a 4.17 ERA, he’s struggled to go deep into games, pitching more than five innings only once this season. In his last game, he gave up four runs on eight hits in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Despite these recent struggles, Lynn has a solid track record against the Orioles, with a 3-2 record and a 3.57 ERA in nine career appearances. His experience and past success could be a tough challenge for the Orioles.
Roster Moves and Bullpen Adjustments
The Cardinals made some strategic adjustments before Monday’s game, calling up reliever Ryan Loutos from Triple-A Memphis and sending down Chris Roycroft. This move is part of their effort to keep the bullpen strong as they aim to maintain their winning form.
Conclusion
As Gunnar Henderson continues to impress with his power hitting, the Baltimore Orioles hope to ride his momentum and Kyle Bradish’s pitching to get back on track against the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cardinals’ recent offensive surge and strategic bullpen moves, this series is set to be a thrilling showdown.