Padres vs Orioles Preview: Pitching Duel in Baltimore

The San Diego Padres roll into Baltimore hunting momentum. They just won their last game and sit at 35-32 on the season. The road ahead looks tough with their pitching staff dealing with injuries. Nick Pivetta is out until July. Still, their rotation has solid arms like Michael King leading the way. Mason Miller anchors the bullpen as one of baseball's most electric closers. The Padres need their offense to stay hot and their remaining pitchers to keep games tight. Baltimore's Oriole Park can be tricky, but San Diego has the experience to compete here.

The Baltimore Orioles are 32-37 and hungry to climb back into things. They just won their last game, which gives them some energy heading into this Friday matchup. Chris Bassitt is the veteran anchor of their rotation. He provides durability and experience to keep games manageable. Dean Kremer is working his way back from injury. The Orioles know their pitching staff is critical to any comeback run. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish give them quality arms too. Shane Baz takes the mound for Baltimore tonight. He carries a 4.37 ERA into the game. Baltimore needs their starters to eat innings and win games.

Both teams come into Camden Yards with fresh wins under their belts. The Padres are 35-32 overall and found their way to victory in their last game. Baltimore sits at 32-37 but just grabbed a win too. Momentum matters in baseball. One victory builds confidence for the next game. The Orioles play better at home with a 20-17 record there. San Diego has been shuffling their lineup with injuries to key position players. Xander Bogaerts is unavailable. Ramon Laureano is out long-term. These absences force other players into bigger roles. Both pitching staffs will need to control the strike zone and limit damage. Expect tight baseball with both bullpens playing big minutes. The team that executes late in the game wins this one.

San Diego's lineup looks different without some of their stars. Xander Bogaerts won't make this trip. Ramon Laureano had surgery and will be out for months. Miguel Andujar is day-to-day with a hamstring issue. These are serious absences. Other players step up into regular roles. Ty France gets more time at first base now. Gavin Sheets takes over in left field. The Padres' depth gets tested in every lineup spot. Baltimore also deals with injuries but has Dylan Beavers working his way back from an oblique strain. Ryan Helsley is rehabbing after missing time. These missing pieces matter more than fans realize. When stars don't play, backup players get chances to show what they can do. Tonight, role players will decide this game as much as the superstars.

Griffin Canning takes the mound for San Diego on Friday night. He anchors the Padres' pitching plan without Pivetta healthy. Shane Baz starts for Baltimore with a 4.37 ERA this season. Baz has won zero games and lost one so far. The Padres' pitching staff thrives when starters throw strikes and stay ahead in counts. Baltimore needs its pitching to be clean because one mistake can cost ballgames. These two starting pitchers will shape everything that happens. If either starter gives up early runs, the bullpens get burned out. San Diego has Mason Miller ready in the ninth. Baltimore's bullpen needs Ryan Helsley back. Control and execution win pitcher's duels like this. The team that gets ahead early has a major advantage tonight.