The last time the Orioles paid a visit to Cincinnati in 2017, pitchers still hit in NL ballparks, gas cost $2.30/gallon and the Orioles were on their way to their first of four consecutive, full-season last-place finishes. It’s safe to say a lot has changed in the past five years.
Just in terms of this season, however, Friday night’s matchup sees two teams who have defied expectations—one over-performing, the other...not so much. This time last season, the Reds were in the driver's seat for a playoff spot, while the Orioles were the second worst team in all of baseball.