With just 2.5 games separating them, the Orioles and Blue Jays get set for an important three-game series to start the week in Toronto. The Orioles just lost two out of three to the Rays in Tampa over the weekend while the Blue Jays dropped two out of three to the Guardians in Toronto this weekend. The pitching matchup for Monday's opener will be righty Kyle Bradish (1-4, 6.42) of the Orioles taking on lefty Yusei Kikuchi (4-6, 5.13) of the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07pm EST.
The Orioles started strong against the Rays over the weekend with a 10-3 win on Friday night as the surprising O's briefly vaulted past the Rays into 3rd place in the AL East and 3rd place in the wildcard standings. The good times came to a close after the Orioles were only able to muster three runs in the final two games, losing both. On Sunday, the Orioles were nearly a part of baseball history as they sent up 24 batters and 24 straight went down and were just three outs away from being a part of Rays' pitcher Drew Rasmussen's perfect game. Jorge Mateo doubled to break up the perfect game and came around to score on a wild pitch to break up the shutout as well.
“We just stayed with the same game plan going into that last inning,” Mateo said through a translator. “We weren't trying to change anything. Credit to the pitcher. He pitched a really good game.”
Jordan Lyles, Filthy 79mph Breaking Ball. ?? pic.twitter.com/EBy2jymFR3
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 14, 2022
With their loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Orioles lost the season series to the Rays, 10-9. While that gives the Rays the tie-breaker edge should the two teams finished tied in the standings, the close record shows how far the Orioles have come in just one season. In 2021, the Orioles lost 18 of 19 games against the Rays. On the mound in the opener against the Jays will be right-hander Kyle Bradish. Bradish is 0-1 in two starts against the Blue Jays this season with an ERA of 7.45. He's only lasted 9.2 innings in the two starts and given up 14 hits. In his last five starts this season, Bradish is 0-1 with an ERA of 6.38 and has given up 33 hits in 24 innings pitched.