dailyloe.com – The Baltimore Orioles open a series against the Cleveland Guardians tonight at 6:10 PM ET. Manager Craig Albernaz faces his former club as the Orioles visit the reigning AL Central champions. The game will be broadcast on MASN and MASN+. Right-hander Shane Baz is the probable starter for Baltimore against Cleveland’s left-hander Parker Messick.
The Orioles enter the game with a 9-9 record through their first six series. They have scored 77 runs while allowing 78 runs this season. Their offense ranks 16th in runs per game and their team ERA ranks 14th. Eight of their nine losses have been by three runs or fewer.
Six of the team’s nine victories have also come by small margins. The talent on the roster is considered better than the record indicates. Mental lapses, poor defense, and occasional bullpen issues have been cited. Shane Baz takes the mound looking to push the team above a .500 winning percentage.
Baz has a 0-1 record with a 4.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts this season. He took a loss in his last start against the San Francisco Giants. In that game, he allowed three runs on nine hits across five innings. His only road start was 12 days ago in Pittsburgh.
In Pittsburgh, Baz pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. He walked three batters and struck out five in that appearance. The 26-year-old right-hander possesses a fastball that sits at 97 mph. His fastball can touch triple digits and is paired with a sharp knuckle curve.
Opponents are hitting .529 with an .824 slugging percentage against his fastball. Baz will make his second career start at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. His first start there last year resulted in a loss despite a quality start. He pitched six innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs in that game.
He also walked two and struck out seven batters in that 2025 outing. Cleveland’s starter is rookie left-hander Parker Messick. Messick holds a 2-0 record with a 0.51 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He is Cleveland’s number five prospect and a former Florida State Seminole.
Messick has allowed only one run over 17.2 innings in his first three major league starts. His last outing was 6.2 scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed four hits and struck out five batters in that start. The Orioles faced their first left-handed starter of the season yesterday.[]
Source: Camden Chat
