Where to watch: MASN/MASN+

Probable pitchers: LHP Cade Povich (2-6. 5.25 ERA, 75 K) vs. RHP Luis Morales (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 0 K)

Through the first two games of the series vs. the Athletics, the Orioles offense has put up two oddly similar games. In Game 1 on Friday, Adley Rutschman hit a two-run homer in the 1st, Ryan Mountcastle followed it with a solo homer and the O’s scored three runs on three hits in a 3-2 win. In Game 2 on Saturday, the Orioles started the first with a single from Jackson Holliday, a single from Jordan Westburg and a Gunnar Henderson three-run home run. They then went hitless the rest of the game, finishing with three runs on three hits in an 11-3 loss.

With Cade Povich taking the mound this afternoon, the offense will almost assuredly have to manage more than three runs (and three hits) if Baltimore is going to take the rubber match from the City-less A’s. The hope for Povich coming into this season is that he’d build on the glimpses of promising potential we saw during his rookie season. Instead, most of his starts have ranged from mediocre to poor. Over 70.1 innings, the 25-year-old lefty is pitching to a 5.25 ERA and the O’s are 5-9 in games he starts.

Last time out against the Phillies, Povich had a decently strong outing in his return from a hip injury that landed him on the IL. Tony Mansolino pulled him with two outs in the 6th, and when he left the game with the score tied 3-3, he had a line of 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB and 7 K while being responsible for a runner on first. Unfortunately for the Orioles and Povich, reliever Corbin Martin came in and gave up a three-run homer (adding an ER to Povich’s line), which kick-started a chain of events that ended with a 13-3 O’s loss and Povich as the losing pitcher.

Baltimore’s lone southpaw starter has faced the then-Oakland Athletics once before, and it was the worst start of his young career. Povich only recorded three outs in Oakland Coliseum over a year ago, giving up eight runs on five hits and three walks, including a pair of three-run homers from Brent Rooker and Max Schuemann. The lineup Povich will face today is arguably more dangerous, with Rooker maintaining his All-Star level, catcher Shea Langeliers playing up to an All-Star level, and with presumptive Al Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz leading a youth movement.

The O’s offense will need to back their starter better than they have the first two games of the series, as they face off against A’s rookie right-hander, Luis Morales. The 22-year-old out of Cuba will be making his first major league start today, after pitching two innings in relief last week for his major league debut. The A’s No. 3 prospect, Morales, features a 60-graded fastball that sits at 96 but can approach triple digits with a slider that’s his go-to secondary offering.

After providing the only runs last night, the offense may need another strong showing from Gunnar. The O’s star SS leads the team in batting average and slugging against four-seam fastballs, and only he and double-play partner Jackson Holliday are batting above .250 against opposing heaters.