Kyle Bradish and John Means made impactful returns for the Baltimore Orioles, immediately contributing to the team's recent successes. Bradish allowed only one run in 4 2/3 innings in a win against the New York Yankees, while Means threw seven scoreless frames in a victory over Cincinnati. Both pitchers had been sidelined with arm-related injuries at the start of the season, but their strong performances now provide a significant boost to the Orioles as they aim to defend their AL East title.
Bradish played a crucial role in Baltimore's rotation in 2023 and was even the Game 1 starter in the playoffs. Means, who returned from Tommy John surgery last season, was previously the top starter on a less talented Orioles team. Despite losing Grayson Rodriguez to the injured list, the Orioles have been dominant on the mound, allowing only two runs in a recent three-game sweep in Cincinnati and holding opponents to two runs or fewer in seven consecutive games.
The Orioles' success extends beyond their pitching, with a formidable lineup led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman. They have already swept series against division rivals like Boston and the Yankees, maintaining an impressive 12-0-4 record in their last 16 series against AL East opponents.
In a clash of baseball titans, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, the top favorites for the World Series, faced off for the first time this season. The Dodgers swept the Braves in three straight games, highlighted by Max Muncy's three-home run performance in a resounding 11-2 victory on Saturday night.
Elsewhere, the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins showcased a dramatic comeback, with the Marlins erasing a five-run deficit in the ninth inning to secure a 7-6 win. The Rockies, who had trailed in each of their first 29 games, finally ended their streak with a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday night.
Trivia enthusiasts may note that the last team to finish with the best regular-season record in baseball in consecutive seasons was the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010 and 2011. Subsequent top records were achieved by teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves in the following years.
