Orioles Aim to Bounce Back Against Nationals in Battle of the Beltways

As the sun sets over Washington, D.C., the Baltimore Orioles are eager to shake off a frustrating loss and even the score in their first Battle of the Beltways series of the season. After a heart-wrenching 3-2 defeat on Friday night, where the offense showcased a staggering 16 hard-hit balls but only managed six hits, the Orioles are looking for redemption.

Friday’s game highlighted persistent issues for Baltimore, particularly with strikeouts and clutch hitting. The team struck out 10 times, pushing their season total to 414, which ranks as the fourth-worst in Major League Baseball. Compounding the frustration, they went a dismal 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, keeping their average with RISP at a mediocre .246. Despite the tough night, the quality of contact suggests that with a bit of luck, they could have easily stolen Game 1.

Tonight, the Orioles will face Cade Cavalli, a relatively unknown pitcher who was the Nationals’ first-round pick in 2020. Cavalli, who has battled injuries and undergone two Tommy John surgeries, will be making his 21st Major League appearance. The 27-year-old right-hander has struggled to go deep into games, averaging just 4.5 innings per start this season. Left-handed batters have particularly feasted on his fastball, hitting .525 with a .750 slugging percentage. Baltimore’s hitters will look to capitalize on this weakness early in the game.

On the mound for the Orioles is Chris Bassitt, a pitcher known for his inconsistency. At 37, Bassitt has shown flashes of brilliance, with four starts this season allowing one earned run or fewer. However, he has also had outings where he has surrendered 19 earned runs in just four starts. Despite this rollercoaster performance, the Orioles have a strong track record when Bassitt takes the mound, having won six consecutive games with him starting and averaging 6.8 runs per game in those contests.

Bassitt’s history at Nationals Park is impressive; during his two career starts there in 2022, he pitched 13 shutout innings, allowing just nine hits while striking out 12. In fact, he has yet to allow a run in 21 career innings against the Nationals. As the Orioles prepare to face Cavalli, they hope to harness their offensive potential and secure a much-needed victory in this cross-town rivalry.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.