The Cubs host a team from the AL East.
The Orioles were expected to contend this year after winning 101 games in 2023 and 91 last year. Instead, they got off to a horrific start and were 21-36 at the end of May.
Since then, they’ve played better, going 29-23 in June and July, but they still stand last in the AL East at 50-59. That mark is actually slightly better than the Cubs’ 27-23 since June 1. And they come into this series having won six of their last eight.
For more on the Orioles, please visit our SB Nation Orioles site Camden Chat.
Fun facts
The Cubs have played only 22 games vs. the Orioles, tied with the Rays for their fewest against any American League team. The Cubs are 15-7 against the Orioles, a winning percentage of .682. They have a higher percentage in interleague play only against the Athletics: .708 (17-7).
But the Cubs are just 6-5 at home vs. the Orioles. They won one of three games in 2008, swept three in 2014, lost two in 2022 and won two of three in 2023. The Cubs had a chance to sweep that series but lost the finale. Last year, they won all three games at Baltimore, outscoring the Orioles by 21-2: 9-2, 4-0 and 8-0. They also enjoyed a sweep in 2017, as they outscored their hosts, 27-11: 9-8, 10-3 and 8-0.
The Cubs have shut out the Orioles a total of four times on the road but never at home. They allowed one run at Wrigley Field twice, two days apart, Aug. 22 and 24, 2014.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Friday: Cade Horton, RHP (4-3, 3.67 ERA, 1.311 WHIP, 4.14 FIP) vs. Trevor Rogers, LHP (4-1, 1.49 ERA, 0.786 WHIP, 2.85 FIP)
Saturday: Ben Brown, RHP (5-7, 6.22 ERA, 1.483 WHIP, 4.26 FIP) vs. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP (8-5, 4.38 ERA, 1.330 WHIP, 5.20 FIP)
Sunday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (11-4, 2.47 ERA, 1.059 WHIP, 3.29 FIP) vs. TBD
Still TBD season for starters, I see. This is likely because the Orioles traded away Charlie Morton at the deadline.
Times & TV channels
Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Saturday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, FS1 (full national broadcast, no blackouts)
Sunday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
Even with the Orioles playing pretty well lately, they have not been a good road team this year (23-32, and have lost four of their last six away from Baltimore). I don’t see any reason the Cubs shouldn’t win two of three here, and if everything breaks right, perhaps a sweep is in order.
Up next
The Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series at Wrigley Field beginning Monday evening.