The MASN Cup series between the Orioles and Nationals has been rebranded as both teams shift their broadcasting strategies. The Nationals are struggling at 21-23, while the Orioles sit at 20-24, both vying for playoff positions.
Key points
The MASN Cup series is now rebranded.
Nationals are 21-23, Orioles are 20-24.
CJ Abrams and James Wood are key players for the Nationals.
Shane Baz and Zack Littel are pitching in Game 1.
Chris Bassitt and Cade Cavalli are set for Game 2.
**RHP Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Littel (1-4, 6.94 ERA)**
It feels fair to say that Baz has had one genuinely good start in an Orioles uniform. That came against the Astros in late April. Over his two starts since, the power righty has allowed 10 earned runs over 10.1 total innings. Walks have been an issue for him. If he can avoid the free passes, things should work out alright. Thatâs easier said than done, of course.
Littel was brought in to be a dependable veteran arm in a Washington rotation that needed the structure. Instead, he has struggled mightily. He is walking (3.22 BB/9) and striking out (4.21 K/9) batters at nearly an identical rate. His 8.26 FIP is even worse than his 6.94 ERA.
Game 2: Saturday, May 16th, 4:05 p.m., MASN, FS1
**RHP Chris Bassitt (3-2, 5.21 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4.02 ERA)**
Two of the last three starts that Bassitt has made have gone well! He gave up just one run in six innings against the Athletics earlier in the week, and allowed one run over 6.2 frames against the Astros at the end of April. In between the two was a poor outing in Miami. But overall, it is improvement! The Orioles do not need perfection from Bassit. They need innings and solid quality. More recently, he has provided exactly that.
Cavalli has been a bright spot in the Nationals rotation, though he has waned recently. The 27-year-old is a hard thrower, but itâs his off-speed stuff that gets the best marks. Even still, itâs a fastball-heavy arsenal that should give the Orioles a chance to score some runs.
Game 3: Sunday, May 17th, 1:35 p.m., MASN
**RHP Brandon Young (3-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Miles Mikolas (1-13, 7.00 ERA)**
Itâs tough to complain about what Young has come in and provided this Orioles rotation. Heâs had one bad start in five attempts, and even in that one he was able to provide a little bit of length (four innings) despite an early meltdown. The Texas native has done nothing to change the perspective that he is simply a placeholder until Dean Kremer is back, but it feels like he has edged ahead of several others in the organizational depth chart when it comes to being the go-to spot starter when needed.
Mikolas allowed 11 earned runs in his second start of the year and has been fighting that in his ERA ever since. Overall, the veteran has been OK, I guess. The team doesnât ask him for much, usually three to five innings without allowing the game to slip away. Usually he is able to accomplish that. You can expect a lot of ground balls. Mikolas is among the league leaders in that department (54.4% ground ball rate).
How many games do you think the Orioles will win in this series? Let us know in the comments.
