The Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles have generated momentum during the past week.
Now they’re set for a three-game series that begins Monday night in Baltimore.
“I think the players in that clubhouse have shown their resiliency,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of his injury-plagued team. “… The good teams can overcome that, and right now we’re showing signs that we can.”
Both teams are above the .500 mark.
The Orioles won the final two contests of a three-game series against visiting San Francisco, collecting 11 hits in Sunday’s 6-2 result for their fifth victory in the past six games.
“It’s a long season,” Baltimore first baseman Pete Alonso said. “I know it’s still early. But I think for us, if we can just be battle-tested the whole year and play our best baseball toward the end, that’s ultimately the goal.”
The Diamondbacks have won four of their last five games, taking two of three matchups in Philadelphia over the weekend. They beat the Phillies 4-3 on Sunday thanks to an eighth-inning rally.
“I feel great for these kids,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “They go out there and execute.”
Arizona played three one-run games in Philadelphia.
Right-hander Ryne Nelson (1-1, 4.20 ERA) has been dubbed as Arizona’s starter for the series opener.
Nelson gave up two home runs and issued three walks in each of his first two starts before holding the New York Mets to one run and no walks in 5 2/3 innings in picking up his first victory of the year Wednesday, 7-2.
Nelson has faced the Orioles on two occasions, once as a starter. He is without a decision and has a 3.52 ERA across 7 2/3 total innings in those outings.
Arizona used five relievers to get through the final four innings Sunday.
Baltimore hasn’t named a starting pitcher for Monday’s game.
The Diamondbacks figure to have second baseman Ketel Marte back in the starting lineup in Baltimore. He was in line to have a day off for the first time this season until he entered Sunday’s game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and then played in the field.
The Diamondbacks are anticipating roster moves in Baltimore if pitcher Merrill Kelly makes his season debut Tuesday night.
“We haven’t talked about who’s going where,” Lovullo said.
The Orioles announced Sunday that first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle suffered a broken foot during Saturday night’s game vs. San Francisco and will be out indefinitely. They also placed outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the seven-day concussion list.
Albernaz said O’Neill hadn’t been feeling right for several days.
“We’ve got to make sure he’s good to go,” Albernaz said.
The Orioles received a huge contribution from catcher Samuel Basallo, who hit a two-run home run Sunday. He’ll be playing more behind the plate because Adley Rutschman went on the 10-day injured list this past weekend.
“I am thankful for the opportunity, and I’m ready to contribute in any way that I can,” Basallo said.
This series will wind down what will be a nine-game road trip for the Diamondbacks.
–Field Level Media
