Vanessa: Pete Alonso just hit his 30th homer of the season, and guess what? He's not done. The Orioles are one win away from taking the series from the AL East leaders, and tonight we find out if they can actually do it.
Nick: That's right, Vanessa. And I've got a feeling this one's going to be a nail-biter. The pitching matchup alone is worth tuning in for.
Vanessa: Welcome back to Beatline, Orioles fans! I'm Vanessa, joined as always by the sharpest mind in baseball, Nick. On today's show, we're breaking down game two of this huge series against the Rays.
Nick: We'll start with the pitching probables and what to expect on the mound. Then we'll dive into the banged-up lineup and the bullpen questions that just won't go away.
Vanessa: And of course, we'll give you the keys to the series and a bold prediction you won't want to miss. Stick with us, because this is going to be a fun one.
Vanessa: Alright, Nick, let's get into it. The Orioles took game one 5-3, with Alonso's go-ahead two-run homer and Trevor Rogers dealing seven strong innings. Now they're back at it tonight. Who's on the bump for Baltimore?
Nick: It's a big one. Chris Bassitt gets the start for the Orioles. He's been the steady veteran presence in this rotation, and he's exactly the kind of guy you want in a game like this.
Vanessa: Bassitt's been solid, but he's not exactly a strikeout machine. How does he attack a Rays lineup that's first in the division for a reason?
Nick: Great question. Bassitt lives on deception and weak contact. He's not going to blow anyone away, but he'll mix speeds and keep hitters off balance. Against a disciplined Rays team, he needs to hit his spots and avoid the middle of the plate.
Vanessa: And on the other side? Who's the Rays' starter tonight?
Nick: Shane Baz is going for Tampa Bay. He's a young flamethrower with nasty stuff. He can rack up strikeouts, but he's also prone to walks. The key for the Orioles is patience. Make him throw strikes, get his pitch count up, and get into that bullpen early.
Vanessa: So you're saying the Orioles need to grind out at-bats against Baz?
Nick: Exactly. If they can work deep counts and get him out of the game by the fifth or sixth, they'll have a real shot. The Rays' bullpen is good, but it's not untouchable. And we saw what Alonso can do late in games.
Vanessa: Speaking of late-game heroics, that Alonso homer last night was a rocket. Did you see the exit velocity on that thing?
Nick: I didn't get the exact number, but it was crushed. He's been on a tear lately, and he's clearly the anchor of this lineup. We'll talk more about the bats in a second, but first, let's stick on the pitching.
Vanessa: Right. So what's the plan for Bassitt? How many innings can he realistically give them tonight?
Nick: I'd say six, maybe seven if he's efficient. He's been durable all year, so I expect him to go deep. But the bullpen behind him is a concern, and we'll get to that.
Vanessa: Alright, let's keep that in the back of our minds. When we come back, we're talking about the bats and that banged-up lineup. Don't go anywhere, Orioles fans.
Vanessa: Welcome back. We just talked pitching. Now let's talk about the hitters. Nick, the lineup is banged up, but Alonso is doing his thing. What else did you see last night that gave you confidence?
Nick: I loved the approach against Rays pitching. They were patient, they got good pitches to hit, and they didn't chase. That's the kind of plate discipline that wins games against a team like Tampa Bay.
Vanessa: And it's not just Alonso. Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday are both in the lineup. What do you expect from those two tonight?
Nick: Gunnar's been consistent all year, and Holliday is starting to heat up. They're both aggressive early in counts, but they need to be selective against Baz. If they can get on base, the middle of the order can drive them in.
Vanessa: What about the outfield? Colton Cowser and Tyler O'Neill have been getting the bulk of the starts. Are they giving you enough production?
Nick: They're streaky, but they have power. Cowser's been swinging the bat well lately, and O'Neill can change the game with one swing. The key is consistency. You can't have those guys going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts if you want to beat a first-place team.
Vanessa: Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the injuries. It feels like every week we're adding another name to the IL. What's the latest?
Nick: It's brutal. Felix Bautista is on the 60-day, Ryan Mountcastle is on the 60-day, Jordan Westburg is on the 60-day. And now you've got Griffin Jax and Cole Sulser on the 15-day. The bullpen is being held together with duct tape.
Vanessa: And that's a huge problem, because the bullpen was already shaky. Who's left to get the ball in high-leverage spots?
Nick: Yennier Cano has been the most reliable arm down there, but he's not a proven closer. Andrew Kittredge has experience, but he's been inconsistent. Honestly, it's a committee approach, and that's scary in a one-run game.
Vanessa: So if Bassitt can't go seven, they're in trouble?
Nick: Potentially. They need a starter to go deep, and they need the offense to score early. If they can build a lead, they can mix and match with the bullpen. But if it's close late, it's going to be a stressful finish.
Vanessa: Let's not forget the ABS challenge system. There was a headline about Alonso's blast being ruled foul, and technology getting the call right. How much of a factor is that in a series like this?
Nick: It's a big deal. Every challenge matters, especially in close games. The Orioles have to be smart about when to use them. A wrong challenge can cost you a timeout, and a right one can change the inning. It adds a whole new layer to the strategy.
Vanessa: Alright, Nick, we've got a lot to unpack. When we come back, we're giving you the keys to the series and our bold prediction for tonight. Stay with us.
Vanessa: We're back. Nick, let's get to the keys to the series. If the Orioles are going to win this thing, what do they need to do?
Nick: First and foremost, get to Shane Baz early. Make him work, get his pitch count up, and get to that Rays bullpen. Second, the bullpen has to step up. You can't rely on Bassitt to throw a complete game every night. Someone down there has to step up.
Vanessa: And what about the offense? They've been inconsistent all year. What's the key for them?
Nick: They need to be aggressive early in counts, but also patient enough to work deep counts. It's a balance. And they need production from the bottom of the lineup. You can't just rely on Alonso and Henderson every night. Someone like Samuel Basallo or Coby Mayo needs to step up.
Vanessa: Alright, now for the moment you've all been waiting for. Bold prediction time. Nick, you went with the split and a Pete Alonso homer last time. What's your call for tonight?
Nick: I'm going to say the Orioles win again, and this time it's the bullpen that comes through. I think they get a big performance from Yennier Cano, and the offense does just enough. I'll say 4-2, Orioles, and they take the series.
Vanessa: Bold. I like it. And I'm going to double down on Alonso. I think he goes deep again tonight. He's locked in, and he's carrying this team. Give me a 5-3 win, Orioles, and Alonso with another bomb.
Vanessa: There you have it, Orioles fans. Tonight is a huge opportunity to take a series from the AL East leaders. We'll see you back here tomorrow to recap it all.
Nick: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline. Share it with your fellow Orioles fans and let's get the word out.
Vanessa: And as always, go O's! Let's bring this one home.