Kyle Bradish gets the game ball against Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley, who’s been tough on the Orioles in a handful of outings against them.
On Friday the Orioles triumphed over adversity in two senses, mounting a comeback 3-1 win after failing to score a run against Tampa Bay’s Aaron Civale until the sixth, and getting five gritty innings out of Albert Suárez, a spot starter who’ll be making a lot more spot starts now that, as we learned, John Means and Tyler Wells are lost for the season with UCL damage. Elbow 3 8
Around the league starting pitchers are dropping like flies, and the Orioles just went from “How do we fit everyone in the rotation?” to “Is it too soon to start shopping for starters?”
To this point, the health of Kyle Bradish will be critical to the fortunes of this group.
So far, since getting held back for a month with an elbow strain, the right hander has been totally brilliant. Last week he no-hit the White Sox over seven innings, and only caution for his health and an elevated pitch count kept him from trying for the complete game. Bradish (1-0, 1.75 ERA) has had slight command issues in the five starts since he’s been back, but he’s also been a whiff machine, with a career-best 11.92 strikeouts per nine innings.
Tampa Bay’s stable of pitchers, meanwhile, is also a walking infirmary. Taj Bradley was sidelined in April with a pectoral strain, fortunately a more rehabbable injury than a UCL tear. In four starts, he’s 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA and lots of strikeouts (29 in 23 IP). Bradley had a fraught 2023, going 5-8 with a 5.59 ERA but he’s been considered one of the game’s elite pitching prospects and still has oodles of potential.
His four-seam fastball averages 96.1 mph in velo, but is still easily his most hittable pitch, with a .365 XBA and .804 XSLG against. He has a -2 run value on the pitch, but a positive metric on his other three offerings, a cutter, splitter, and curveball. Of the current O’s lineup, Gunnar is 3-for-6 with a homer off Bradley, Adley is 1-for-6, and Ryan O’Hearn 2-for-4.
The Orioles are stacking the box with lefties tonight, except for the people who man the bases, with Jordan Westburg (3B) returning to the lineup to join Ryan Mountcastle (1B) and a hot Jorge Mateo (2B) as the sole right-handed hitters in the lineup.
Can the O’s make it two in a row and bag a series win?
1. Gunnar Henderson SS (L) 2. Adley Rutschman C (S) 3. Ryan O’Hearn DH (L) 4. Ryan Mountcastle 1B (R) 5. Anthony Santander RF (S) 6. Colton Cowser CF (L) 7. Jordan Westburg 3B (R) 8. Kyle Stowers LF (L) 9. Jorge Mateo 2B (R)
RHP Kyle Bradish (1-0, 1.75 ERA)
1. Yandy Díaz 1B (R) 2. Brandon Lowe 2B (L) 3. Isaac Paredes 3B (R) 4. Jonathan Aranda DH (L) 5. Randy Arozarena LF (R) 6. Richie Palacios RF (L) 7. José Siri CF (R) 8. Ben Rortvedt C (L) 9. José Caballero SS (R)
RHP Taj Bradley (1-2, 3.13 ERA)
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NJ/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY), (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY / text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-522-4700 (NH), 888-789-7777 / visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Void where prohibited.
Flexible Elbow 21+ (18+ KY/NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA(select parishes)/MA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS).