One good start deserves another — and then another.
The Baltimore Orioles have received a string of exceptional performances from their starting rotation, and these razor-sharp hurlers are equally efficient against last-place teams and the best club in the American League.
Dean Kremer pitched a four-hitter, Adley Rutschman homered and the Orioles kept themselves squarely in the playoff hunt by defeating the Houston Astros 6-0 Friday night.
The victory, combined with Seattle’s loss to Kansas City, moved Baltimore within three games of the Mariners in the race for the third and final AL wild-card spot. It’s been an uplifting season for an Orioles team that went 52-110 last year, Baltimore will need to remain hot and get some help to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.