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Orioles Look to Avoid Sweep Against Giants as Offense Struggles Continue
The Baltimore Orioles are desperate to avoid a three-game sweep as they face the San Francisco Giants in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. The Orioles (84-68), once firmly in playoff contention, have struggled mightily in recent weeks and find themselves slipping out of the race. San Francisco (74-78), out of postseason contention themselves, have played spoiler on their current road trip, taking the first two games of the series with relative ease.
Giants Dominate Early in Series
The Giants have set the tone from the start, winning the opener 10-0 on Tuesday and following it up with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday. Michael Conforto has been a key contributor, smashing a home run and tallying three hits in Wednesday’s game, while Mike Yastrzemski has been the spark, leading off both games with home runs. The Giants have capitalized on Baltimore’s lackluster pitching and early-game mistakes to secure the series.
“It’s been hard to stay positive with the way things are going,” said Orioles catcher James McCann after Wednesday’s loss. “But we’re just trying to stay upbeat and turn things around.”
Orioles Seek Offensive Spark
The Orioles’ recent skid has been a major cause for concern as they have lost eight of their last 10 games. Wednesday’s loss secured their fourth consecutive series defeat, dropping them further behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, now trailing by five games. Despite the losses, Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde saw some glimmers of hope in his team’s performance on Wednesday, particularly their ability to generate opportunities on offense.
“We created more traffic and walked more. Now we’re just waiting for some breaks offensively,” Hyde said. “We gave ourselves some opportunities.”
Baltimore’s offense has been inconsistent, stranding eight runners on Wednesday, continuing a troubling trend. The Orioles will need to find a way to capitalize on their chances if they hope to avoid another loss and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Pitching Matchup: Eflin vs. Webb
The Orioles will turn to right-hander Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.55 ERA) in the series finale, hoping he can stop the bleeding. Eflin has been solid since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in July, posting a 2.22 ERA over his last seven starts. However, the righty has lost his last two outings despite pitching well, including his most recent start where he allowed just one run over 6 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers.
Eflin will face off against Logan Webb (12-10, 3.53 ERA), the Giants’ All-Star right-hander. Webb is coming off his shortest start since May, lasting just four innings while allowing four runs (three earned) in a loss to the San Diego Padres last Friday. Webb has faced the Orioles once before, taking a loss in that matchup back in June.
This pitching duel will be key for both teams, as the Orioles look to spark their offense and avoid a sweep, while the Giants aim to continue their momentum on the road.
What’s at Stake?
The Orioles are at a critical juncture, needing to reignite their offense and avoid a sweep to stay relevant in the American League playoff race. With Zach Eflin on the mound and Logan Webb pitching for the Giants, the series finale promises to be a test of endurance for both teams. The Orioles will need to capitalize on scoring opportunities and hope that their star pitcher can hold down a Giants lineup that has thrived this series.
Meanwhile, the Giants will look to close out the series sweep, playing the role of spoiler as they build momentum for the future.
