Well, Trade Deadline Monday has come and gone, and ultimately, the Orioles’ “buy and sell” approach meant a really deflating sell-off, especially with Adley Rutschman departing for AL East rival Boston for a passel of prospects (I mean, great prospects haul, but a hard day to lose the face of the franchise, if you feel me). The remaining 50 games of the Orioles’ 2026 season feel to me like the post-credits scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, where Ferris emerges from the bathroom in a robe, looks right at the camera, and says, “You’re still here? It’s over. Go home. Go.”
But technically, it’s not over. So here we are, the rubble having settled, trying to find something to play for. Presumably there are tougher rivals than the Angels, who at 43-69, aren’t pretending to be contenders anymore either. The Halos shipped off a ton of pitchers at the deadline, but not one Grayson Rodriguez, the onetime O’s top prospect. Ah, how innocent we were then. This year, Rodriguez has struggled with bone spurs, but the Angels claim he’s healthy now. Maybe, but he’s still got a 7.98 ERA in 10 games so forgive me if I’m not seeing G-Rod of 2024 quite.
The Orioles initially went into this one with TBD for a starting pitcher, but it’s since been clarified that they meant Cade Povich, called up today from the Minors. The 26-year-old lefty has spent most of the season with Triple-A Norfolk, posting not-great ERA there of 6.30. His WHIP of 1.45 is too high; his .268 opposing average doesn’t make me feel great, either. This season, Povich made four appearances (three starts) with the big club during April and May, allowing eighteen runs in 11 innings. It’s not ideal.
Already some of the newest Orioles are in the lineup: Christian Franklin in the outfield and catcher Carlos Narváez is the backstop. Ain’t it… great. First pitch is 6:35 ET.
Orioles lineup
Angels lineup
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