Orioles Seek Series Sweep as Bradish Takes on Lodolo

Series Stakes and Recent Form

Baltimore looks to notch just its third series sweep of the season, a feat last realized with a May victory over the Rays at Camden Yards. Securing the win would also give the O’s their first four‑game winning streak of 2024, a milestone they have pursued six times without success. After a nine‑game losing slide that ended with a loss to the White Sox, the Orioles halted a sweep in Chicago with a 6‑1 triumph behind Dean Kremer, followed by a 3‑0 shutout in Cincinnati and an 8‑5 offensive showcase highlighted by a three‑run homer from Samuel Basallo.

That run of success leads to a crucial Independence Day showdown, pitting former ace Kyle Bradish against Cincinnati’s rising southpaw Nick Lodolo on Peacock. The streaming platform Peacock will carry the game, giving fans a chance to watch the Orioles chase their first four‑game winning streak of the year. Both clubs see the contest as a potential turning point in their playoff pursuit.

Pitcher Previews

Kyle Bradish, a 29‑year‑old right‑hander, carries the hopes of Birdland after a season of mixed results following Tommy John surgery. On a recent West Coast trip he logged 15.2 innings with just a single run allowed and 21 strikeouts, but his most recent start saw him walk five batters in four innings and surrender four runs in a 6‑4 defeat to the Nationals. Bradish has a solid track record against the National League, posting a 2.97 ERA, a .217 batting average against and 130 strikeouts in 121.1 innings.

Nick Lodolo, 28, entered the majors after a breakout 2025 campaign but spent early 2024 on the IL with a finger blister. He has returned to form lately, earning two consecutive shutout innings against Milwaukee. Lodolo’s prior meetings with Baltimore include a win in Cincinnati in 2022 and a lopsided loss at Great American Ballpark in 2024. When the two clubs last faced each other, an early surge from Anthony Santander and Jordan Westburg powered the Orioles to an early lead.

Key Stats and Matchups

Against left‑handed starters Baltimore ranks 22nd in MLB with a .702 OPS, and the team’s most reliable weapon in those situations is infielder Coby Mayo, who posts a 1.056 OPS and sees 51.1% of his line drives hit hard versus southpaws. The starting pitchers bring contrasting numbers: Bradish is 5‑8 with a 3.77 ERA and 96 strikeouts, while Lodolo sits at 2‑2, 5.05 ERA and 42 Ks. Both arms will look to dictate the pace, with Bradish aiming to regain the consistency that earned him a role as a team ace after Tommy John surgery.

Looking Ahead

Sunday’s contest on Peacock promises to be a showcase of early offensive aggression and bullpen resilience, with the Orioles hoping to extend their modest winning streak and Cincinnati seeking a breakthrough start from its budding left‑hander. Both clubs view the game as a momentum‑shifting moment, especially as they continue to battle for a post‑season spot amid a tight American League playoff race.