After a torrid 5-1 stretch and a much-needed day off, the Baltimore Orioles are set for their first interleague series of the year: a two-game slate against the surprisingly competitive Philadelphia Phillies.
Before the season, most observers projected similar records for these two teams, but it was plain to see that they were heading in opposite directions — while the Birds are saddled with a top-heavy roster and a thin farm system, the Phillies have an influx of youth and improved their Pythagorean record by 10 wins last season. Both teams have accelerated down their respective paths in 2018, so while Philadelphia is sitting pretty with a 23-16 record, the O’s are toiling away at 13-28.