Opinion
3 min read

Will Orioles Find Their Groove Against Athletics at Sutter Health Park?

First Inning


As the Baltimore Orioles prepare to face off against the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park, fans are eager to see if the O's can capitalize on their recent momentum. The Birds have shown flashes of brilliance in their previous games, particularly with their pitching prowess. In a recent game against the Chicago White Sox on June 1, 2025, the Orioles' pitchers held strong with an impressive earned run average of just 1.0 and a strikeout rate of 9 per nine innings.


Jul 6, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cole Irvin (19) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The first inning will be crucial for setting the tone. The O's need to focus on getting early hits and putting pressure on A’s starting pitcher Sean Murphy. With Cedric Mullins leading off for Baltimore, his ability to get on base could ignite a spark for the rest of the lineup.


Middle Innings


Moving into the middle innings, Baltimore's bullpen will play a pivotal role in maintaining any lead they might establish early in the game. Historically, they've demonstrated resilience under pressure; however, they must avoid allowing unnecessary walks that could give Oakland opportunities to score.


Jul 6, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Armando Alvarez (50) makes the catch of a foul popup by Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ramón Urías (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletics have been known for their strategic plays and patience at bat—qualities that could challenge Baltimore’s defense if not kept in check. The Green and Gold will likely rely on their disciplined approach to exploit any weaknesses in Baltimore’s pitching strategy.


Late Innings


As we approach the late innings, expect both teams to make tactical adjustments based on earlier performances. For Baltimore, this means leveraging their bullpen depth effectively while ensuring key players like Anthony Santander remain sharp offensively.


Jul 5, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics second base Zack Gelof (20) warms up before the start of the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland's lineup is no stranger to late-game heroics; thus, it is imperative that Baltimore remains vigilant defensively throughout all nine innings. If history serves as any indicator from past matchups this season—such as when they secured a narrow victory over Chicago by holding them scoreless until late—the Orioles have what it takes but must execute flawlessly against an opportunistic A’s squad.


In conclusion: Can these Birds soar high enough above California skies come June 8th? Tune into MASN2 at 4:05 PM EDT from West Sacramento where every pitch counts! Share your thoughts about how you think our beloved team will fare during this critical matchup!

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