Orioles @ Cardinals discussion

Orioles vs Cardinals 7:45 EDT MASN/MASN+

The Orioles laid the smack down on the Cardinals last night with a 13-1 victory to kick off their nine-game road trip. It was an exciting win but let's be honest: we are Orioles fans. We know that this means the Orioles will probably suffer a demoralizing loss tonight. Maybe a two-hitter? Or maybe they'll have plenty of baserunners but strand them all until someone hits a too little, too late home run in the ninth inning.

I don't want to think that way. But the Orioles did this to me. It's not my fault. You understand.

But maybe, just maybe, the Orioles will build on their strong start and take the series tonight. They are facing solid righty Michael McGreevy , who has a 3.54 ERA in 25 starts this season. The good news is he does give up home runs (18 in 137.1 innings), and he's not a big strikeout guy (6.2 K/9). McGreevy has been with the Cardinals for his entire short career; only Pete Alonso has ever faced him (o-for-2).

The Orioles will be looking for a strong start from Kyle Bradish who worked without his best stuff against the Yankees back on August 20th. He kept his team in the game but allowed a lot of baserunners and two home runs. His team lost, but not because of him.

Alonso is back at DH today with Samuel Basallo playing first base. With a righty on the mound, lefties Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers are both in the lineup. Coby Mayo starts the game on the bench.

Tyler O'Neill, who hurt his shoulder on his game-saving catch last Saturday, had an MRI yesterday and was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain. Luis Vázquez will replace O'Neill on the roster, though as of 6:25 that move isn't official. O'Neill hasn't been on the IL since April, so I guess he was due.

Jackson Holliday (L) 2B Pete Alonso (R) DH Gunnar Henderson (L) SS Samuel Basallo (L) 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B Dylan Beavers (L) LF Leody Taveras (S) RF Colton Cowser (L) CF Carlos Narváez (R) C

JJ Wetherholt (L) SS Iván Herrera (R) DH Alec Burleson (L) 1B Jordan Walker (R) RF Nathan Church (L) CF José Fermín (R) 2B Nolan Gorman (L) 3B Bryan Torres (L) LF Jimmy Crooks (L) C