The Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals wrap up a three-game set at Busch Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, with the Orioles aiming for a sweep after two straight wins.
The Baltimore Orioles (65-68) and St. Louis Cardinals (66-68) meet Wednesday at 2:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium for the finale of a three-game interleague series, with the Orioles looking to complete a sweep after taking the first two games 13-1 and 8-7. Both teams are hovering around .500 and clinging to wild-card hopes, making this afternoon’s rubber match pivotal for momentum. The Orioles have the hotter bats and a resilient bullpen that just overcame a seven-run deficit, but the Cardinals, desperate to avoid a sweep at home, will lean on their pride and the fact that they’ve already shown they can score against Baltimore’s pitching.
Baltimore Orioles: Riding the Momentum
The Orioles enter with a 65-68 record, fourth in the AL East, but have won two straight in St. Louis. In Wednesday’s 8-7 comeback, Christian Encarnacion-Strand delivered a tiebreaking RBI double in the ninth, capping a 4-hit night. Leody Taveras and Pete Alonso both homered, and Alonso has been on a tear, collecting 4 hits and 4 RBIs in Tuesday’s rout before leaving early, then homering again Wednesday. However, the Orioles placed outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, and closer Felix Bautista (60-day IL) and Ryan Mountcastle (60-day IL) remain out. The bullpen, which blew a seven-run lead but recovered, will be tested again.
St. Louis Cardinals: Looking to Stop the Bleeding
The Cardinals, 66-68 and third in the NL Central, have dropped two straight after Tuesday’s 13-1 beatdown and Wednesday’s heartbreaker. Their bullpen collapse is a major concern, especially with closer Ryan Helsley on the 60-day IL. The injury list is extensive: shortstop Masyn Winn (10-day IL, broken thumb), Everson Pereira (10-day), Blaze Alexander (10-day), Andre Pallante (15-day), Hunter Dobbins (15-day), and Max Rajcic (60-day). St. Louis needs a strong starting pitching performance to give the offense a chance, but their relief corps has been shaky. They’ll look to avoid the sweep and salvage a win at home.
Head-to-Head: Momentum vs. Desperation
The Orioles have owned this series, outscoring the Cardinals 21-8 over two games. Baltimore’s offense is clicking, with Alonso, Encarnacion-Strand, and Taveras providing power. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are reeling, and their pitching staff has been battered. Key matchup to watch: Baltimore’s lineup against St. Louis’s bullpen, which has been unreliable. If the Cardinals can jump ahead early and get a solid start, they have a chance, but the Orioles have shown they can come from behind.
Key Factors to Watch
- Pete Alonso’s hot streak: He has 4 hits in each of the last two games and is a threat every at-bat.
- Cardinals’ bullpen: After blowing a seven-run lead, can they bounce back?
- Injuries: Both teams are missing key players, but the Cardinals’ losses are more extensive.
- Momentum: The Orioles have all of it, while the Cardinals are desperate to avoid a sweep.
Prediction
The Orioles have been the better team in this series, and with the Cardinals’ bullpen in shambles, Baltimore’s offense should continue to produce. Expect a close game, but the Orioles’ confidence and resilience will carry them to a sweep. Pick: Orioles 7, Cardinals 5.
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