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History could be made at Oriole Park at Camden Yards today. It’s not the kind of history that’s fun for Orioles fans, but it’s history nonetheless.
The O’s stand on the precipice of setting a new club record for consecutive games allowing a home run to begin a season. They tied that record last night when they allowed a home run for the 12th straight game. With Dylan Bundy on the mound, who gave up 41 home runs last season, chances of getting the record would seem to be good.
The Chris Davis futility streak is on the edge of setting another record all for himself. Davis already owns the record for consecutive hitless at-bats at 0-50. He’s now tied 1980s journeyman second baseman Tony Bernazard for consecutive hitless plate appearances, having now gone 57 PA without collecting a hit. Davis, batting seventh today, is poised to get that record to himself if he doesn’t get a hit his first time up today.
That’s a lot of sad stuff. Here’s someting happier: With a win today, the Orioles would salvage a split in this series before heading on the road to face the last place Boston Red Sox. I just like writing that phrase whenever it’s true: Last place Boston Red Sox. Hopefully the Orioles aren’t the cure for that team’s woes.
Today’s starting lineup:
- Cedric Mullins - CF
- Dwight Smith Jr. - LF
- Jonathan Villar - 2B
- Trey Mancini - RF
- Rio Ruiz - 3B
- Renato Núñez - DH
- Chris Davis - 1B
- Pedro Severino - C
- Richie Martin - SS
If you blinked and missed it, there are two new relievers in the Orioles bullpen today. Let’s hope that Bundy pitches well enough that the O’s don’t need to use up both of these relievers over the course of this game.