​Probable pitchers: LHP Trevor Rogers (6-7, 4.70 ERA, 65 Ks) versus LHP David Peterson (4-7, 6.75 ERA, 68 Ks). Where to watch: MASN/MASN+. Clouds have hung over Baltimore since the Fourth of July weekend, and a figurative grey veil remains over Birdland as the Orioles try to shake off a rough stretch. After briefly flashing optimism with a pair of wins in Cincinnati, Baltimore has fallen back into a three-plus game skid for the ninth time this season, including two tight losses to begin this series against the Cubs.
The weather-induced change in start time has altered plans for Game 3, moving the matinee up from 6:35 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. After being stifled by their offense in Game 1 and overwhelmed in Game 2, Trevor Rogers and the Orioles will look to salvage the finale of the series. Opening Day’s starter has heated up over the last month, logging a 1.77 ERA across 35.2 innings while limiting opponents to a .188 average. In his most recent outing, Rogers worked five scoreless frames against Cincinnati, helping Baltimore to a 3-0 victory.
Rogers owns one prior start against the Cubs, but it remains one of his most memorable yet heartbreaking performances. In a gritty effort at Wrigley Field, the left-hander went eight innings, yielded four hits and one run, and struck out eight, but the Orioles were unable to plate a run and fell 1-0.
Opposing Rogers is veteran lefty David Peterson, known for his soft-tossing style. Peterson, who joined the Cubs from the Mets at the end of June, is making his third start since the trade. He comes off a rough outing against St. Louis, where he failed to get out of the fourth inning, surrendering nine hits, ten earned runs, a home run, and three walks while striking out three. The Orioles have had trouble this season against even left-handed starters, as their OPS against southpaws ranks 24th in the league after Tuesday’s game against Matthew Boyd. Chicago’s lefty’s recent woes, however, contrast with Boyd’s historical success against Baltimore, which could be instructive on how to approach this matchup.
Last season in Camden Yards, the 30-year-old Peterson limited Baltimore to one run over seven innings in a start that could have gone differently if not for a late eighth-inning homer by Gunnar Henderson off the Mets’ bullpen. Baltimore still won that game, but today’s offense will need to provide more run support than they did in recent showings if they hope to write a different ending against Peterson and Chicago’s lineup.
Key players to watch include Gunnar Henderson, who, despite recent struggles, remains a cornerstone of Baltimore’s lineup, and the left-handed duo of Rogers and Peterson, who will test a Baltimore offense that has struggled against left-handed arms this season. The Orioles have to reverse course at the plate, especially against left-handers, if they hope to snap their skid and claim the series finale. With a mix of bullpen depth and a lineup that has flashed potential in bursts, Baltimore will look for a stronger outing from its offense to complement Rogers’ steady start on the mound.
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