Last-place Athletics, Orioles piecing together lineups
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 9:14 am
Athletics and Orioles Clash in Rubber Game
The Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles are set to conclude their three-game series today, with both teams vying for a crucial victory. This matchup represents the rubber game of the series, with the Orioles needing a win to split their six-game season series against the Athletics.
The Athletics, currently on a road trip, are 3-2 as they approach the end of their travels. The Athletics' offense has shown flashes of brilliance, having scored over 10 runs in three of their last 14 games. The team's pitching has also been a highlight during the series.
However, the Athletics will be adjusting their pitching strategy. Right-hander Luis Severino, the team's ace, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Severino had been on a winning streak, defeating playoff contenders before his injury. In his absence, Luis Morales will take the mound for his second big-league game.
The Orioles will counter with left-hander Cade Povich. Povich's recent performance has been inconsistent, with a previous outing resulting in a loss. The Orioles' offense has struggled recently, managing only a few hits in the past two games. The team's interim manager, Tony Mansolino, acknowledged the pressure on the top hitters to generate offense, especially with a relatively inexperienced lineup due to recent trade deadline moves.
BNN's Perspective:
This series highlights the challenges faced by teams in rebuilding phases. While both the Athletics and Orioles are in different stages of their respective rebuilds, the need for consistent pitching and offensive production is evident. The absence of key players due to injury and the integration of younger talent underscore the ongoing evolution of these teams.
Keywords: Athletics, Orioles, baseball, MLB, Luis Severino, Cade Povich, pitching, offense, injury, game, series, Mark Kotsay, Tony Mansolino, road trip, lineup, trade deadline.