Vanessa: Eight to seven, walk-off style, in St. Louis. Christian Encarnacion-Strand with the tiebreaking double in the ninth. The Orioles stole one last night after blowing a seven-run lead. Now they go for the sweep today. Can they actually finish the job?
Nick: That's the question, Vanessa. And we're going to break down exactly how they do it. Welcome back to Beatline, Orioles fans, I'm Nick.
Vanessa: And I'm Vanessa. Today we're previewing the series finale against the Cardinals. We'll talk pitching matchups, the banged-up lineup, and whether this bullpen can hold up. Plus a bold prediction you won't want to miss.
Nick: We've been saying all series that the Cardinals are reeling. They're 66-68, third in the Central, and they just lost two straight to us. Today's the chance to put the dagger in.
Vanessa: Let's get into it. First up, the pitching matchup and what we expect from the starters.
Vanessa: Nick, let's start with the mound. We know Chris Bassitt threw on Saturday against the Rays, so he's not going today. Who gets the ball for the Orioles in this rubber match?
Nick: We haven't seen an official announcement yet, but looking at the rotation, it's likely Trevor Rogers. He's been solid since coming over, and he gives us a lefty look against a Cardinals lineup that struggles with lefties.
Vanessa: Rogers has been a stabilizing force. What's his key to success today?
Nick: He's got to keep the ball down and get ground balls. The Cardinals have some power, but they also chase. If he can induce weak contact early, he'll go deep into the game.
Vanessa: On the other side, St. Louis is throwing a guy we've seen before. What do you expect from their starter?
Nick: They haven't named him officially either, but it's probably right-hander Andre Pallante—wait, no, he's on the 15-day IL. So maybe a bullpen game? That could actually work in our favor if we can get to their 'pen early.
Vanessa: A bullpen day for them could mean a lot of relievers. Our hitters have been seeing the ball well all series. Pete Alonso had four hits and a homer in game two. Leody Taveras went deep last night. The bats are hot.
Nick: Exactly. And remember, we've been saying all series that their bullpen is banged up. Ryan Helsley is on the 60-day IL. That's a huge loss for them.
Vanessa: So the plan is clear: get to their starter early, force them into the 'pen, and capitalize. But what about our own pitching? We've had some bullpen scares this series.
Nick: We have, and that's a concern. Last night we blew a seven-run lead. Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge have to be sharper. But the good news is, we have a day off after this, so everyone should be available.
Vanessa: Alright, let's shift to the hitters. Who's the key bat today?
Vanessa: Nick, who's the one guy you're watching in the lineup today?
Nick: It's got to be Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He had four hits last night, including the game-winning double. When he's locked in, he changes the whole lineup.
Vanessa: He's been on fire. And what about Pete Alonso? He left game two early—any update on him?
Nick: He left with what looked like a precautionary thing. We haven't heard anything major, so I expect him in the lineup. He's been our most consistent power threat all season.
Vanessa: Let's talk about the injuries, because it's been a tough week. Tyler O'Neill went on the 10-day IL with a shoulder issue. That's a big loss in right field.
Nick: It is. He got hurt making that diving catch against the Rays. But it opens the door for Dylan Beavers to get more playing time. He's got speed and a good arm.
Vanessa: And we're still without Ryan Mountcastle. He's on the 60-day IL. That's been tough on the infield depth.
Nick: Yeah, but it's given Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo chances to prove themselves. Basallo has been solid behind the plate. And Gunnar Henderson is still anchoring the defense at short.
Vanessa: Speaking of defense, the Cardinals have some injuries too. Masyn Winn is on the IL, and Tyler O'Neill—wait, he's on our team. But they're missing a bunch of guys, including Andre Pallante and Ryan Helsley.
Nick: Right, their bullpen is thin. That's why we need to get to their starter early and make them use those middle relievers. If we can get into their 'pen by the fifth, we have a real advantage.
Vanessa: So the key is patience at the plate, work the counts, and make them throw strikes. Our hitters have been doing that all series. What's the biggest concern with our own bullpen today?
Nick: The biggest concern is the late innings. We've seen Cano and Kittredge struggle at times. But if the starter can go six strong, we only need three innings from the 'pen. That's manageable.
Vanessa: Alright, let's look at the bigger picture. We're 65-68, fourth in the AL East. Every game matters now. What does a sweep do for us?
Vanessa: Nick, we've talked about the matchup, the hitters, the bullpen. What are the keys to completing this sweep?
Nick: First, we need a solid start. Trevor Rogers or whoever gets the ball has to keep us in the game. Second, we need to jump on their starter early. And third, the bullpen has to hold the lead. We can't keep blowing seven-run leads.
Vanessa: We've been saying that all series. Last night was a heart-stopper. But a win is a win. What about the Cardinals' mindset? They're fighting for a wild card spot.
Nick: They're desperate, and desperate teams are dangerous. But we've already beaten them twice. They're probably pressing. If we get an early lead, they might start pressing even more.
Vanessa: Let's make a bold prediction. Yesterday we said you predicted a split, and I said a sweep. You're looking good so far. What's your call for today?
Nick: I'll admit I was wrong about the split. But today, I think the Orioles win 6-4. The bullpen bends but doesn't break, and Alonso homers again.
Vanessa: I'm going bolder. I say 8-5 Orioles, and Encarnacion-Strand stays hot with another multi-hit game. Sweep complete.
Nick: I like that. If the bats stay hot, this could be a statement series win. And it starts today.
Vanessa: That's our preview for today's series finale. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share this episode with a fellow Orioles fan. Let's go O's! Finish the sweep!
Nick: See you after the game. We'll break down all the action. Go O's!