The Blue Jays appear destined for their first division title in a decade, while the Orioles sit firmly positioned at the bottom of the AL East.
The Blue Jays will arrive at Camden Yards perched atop the AL East. Baltimore hoped to compete for a division crown again this season, but plenty has gone wrong since Tyler O’Neill smacked his sixth-consecutive Opening Day home run in Toronto.
The Jays’ success has come despite a lackluster season from former Oriole Anthony Santander. Santander currently sits on the 60-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. The slugger slashed a disappointing .179/.273/.304 over 50 games before hitting the IL. The 30-year-old is in the first of a five year, $92.5 million contract.
So how are the Jays doing this? George Springer looks like his old self with a .292/.383/.512 line and a team-high 18 home runs. Vlad Guerrero Jr. holds 14 homers and 51 RBIs on the season, and Alejandro Kirk put together an All-Star caliber first-half. Unfortunately for Toronto, Kirk will miss this series after suffering a concussion and joining the 7-day IL.
While the Jays will lose their All-Star catcher for the series, the O’s are set to gain a two-time All Star backstop. Adley Rutschman and left-handed reliever Keegan Akin are both set to rejoin the O’s on Monday.
The Orioles will be thrilled to get both players back, but others could leave at any point. The trade deadline will dominate headlines this week with several players potentially playing in a home uniform for the final time at Camden Yards.
Game 1: Monday July 28, 6:35, MASN
RHP Zach Eflin (6-5, 5,78 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (11-4, 3.88 ERA)
Zach Eflin profiles as one of those trade candidate, and a strong showing could swing things in that direction. Eflin has disappointed for a large chunk of the season after taking the ball on Opening Day, but he’s still a veteran with postseason experience.
This will mark Eflin’s second start since spending nearly a month on the IL with low back discomfort. He limited Cleveland to two hits and two runs over five innings last week.
Bassitt is a bonafide big league starter in his third year with the Jays. The Orioles could have signed a guy like Bassitt prior to the 2023 season, but they opted against it. The righty is in the final year of a reasonable three year, $63 million contract.
Game 2: Tuesday, July 29, 12:35, MASN
TBD vs. TBD
This one is a makeup of a postponed game on April 11. The Orioles have announced that Charlie Morton will start one of the two games on Tuesday. Morton, similar to Eflin, is a free agent at the end of the season and could help a contender at the right price.
Morton could start either game at this point, or he could find himself in another uniform by Tuesday.
Game 3: Tuesday, July 29, 6:35, MASN
This technically game qualifies as both a “Game 3” and a “Game 2.” The Orioles will likely select a pitcher as their 27th man for the doubleheader. Baltimore could recall a starter or a reliever with a bullpen game in mind.
Baltimore originally penciled Cade Povich in for one more rehab start at Triple-A, but that remains subject to change.
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer and former Oriole Kevin Gausman will not be candidates to start after working over the weekend.
Game 4: Wednesday, July 30, 12:35, MASN
RHP Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. RHP José Berríos (7-4, 3.83 ERA)
There’s nothing like a day game after a doubleheader, right? Look for the Orioles to rely heavily on their bench for the final three games of the series. Baltimore will likely DFA one of Jacob Stallings or Alex Jackson when Rutschman returns. The survivor could easily catch two of these four games.
Dean Kremer has impressed for a majority of the season, but the starter left plenty to be desired his last time out. Kremer surrendered five runs in a loss to Colorado on Friday.
Berríos represents another quality starting option for the Jays. It’s a haves and have nots type of series with starting pitching this week in Baltimore.