RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesBALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 12: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Probable pitchers: RHP Shane Baz (4-9, 4.05 ERA, 105 Ks) vs. RHP Reynaldo López (4-3, 3.95 ERA, 60 Ks)
Where to watch: MASN/MASN+
Through two games against the NL East-leading Braves, we’ve gotten two thrillers that have felt an awful lot like playoff games. This afternoon, the Orioles will try to take the rubber match and move a step closer to a playoff spot.
Both Games 1 and 2 vs. Atlanta were one-run games that the Orioles had every chance to win. On Friday, Taylor Ward failed to capitalize on a bases-loaded, two-outs-in-the-9th opportunity, and defensive miscues ultimately cost the O’s in extras. Last night, Dylan Beavers did what Ward couldn’t, delivering a walk-off single to right to tie the series at one game apiece.
Baltimore badly wants to be playing baseball in October, but their lackluster first three months mean every game from here on out is a meaningful game. The O’s currently sit three games under .500 but only 2.5 games back from the final AL Wild Card spot. And while 2.5 games seems like a surmountable distance to overcome, Baltimore is one of five teams that are five games or less from that Wild Card spot.
The congested American League means simply playing good baseball isn’t enough; the Orioles are 12-6 in July but only two games closer to a playoff spot than they were at the beginning of the month. And so, while every game can’t be seen as a must-win, every series certainly is from here until October.
Looking to secure that series win for the O’s is right-hander Shane Baz. The 27-year-old hasn’t been quite as dominant lately as the likes of Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish and Brandon Young, but still consistently gives the Orioles a chance to win every time he toes the rubber. Over his last nine starts, Baz owns a 3.54 ERA, a .260 batting average against and is averaging just under six innings per start.
Starting pitching has been the Orioles’ calling card through the first two games against Atlanta, with Rogers and Young combining for 13.1 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 2 BB and 12 Ks across Games 1 and 2. Baz will look to continue that trend of dominance as he makes his first-ever start vs. Atlanta. Of the Braves’ normal starters, the right-hander has only faced Mauricio Dubón and Joey Bart, with the pair going 2-for-12 with no homers.
Taking the ball for Atlanta is former All-Star Reynaldo López. The 32-year-0ld right-hander struggled in his last outing, giving up nine hits and five runs over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Padres. He did, however, dominate the Orioles the last time he pitched at Camden Yards. Back in 2024, López tossed six scoreless innings in Baltimore, while striking out eight, in a 6-3 Braves’ victory.
Orioles lineup
Dylan Beavers (L) LF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Taylor Ward (R) DH
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B
Colton Cowser (L) CF
Leody Taveras (S) RF
Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
Chadwick Tromp (R) C
Braves lineup
Drake Baldwin (L) C
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Mauricio Dubón (R) LF
Dominic Smith (L) DH
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
Jim Jarvis (L) SS
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