Rain Threatens Series Finale Between Orioles, Pirates

PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates will aim for a series sweep and their fourth straight victory Sunday afternoon against the struggling Baltimore Orioles in a game threatened by a forecast of rain at PNC Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 82 degrees and rain expected.

The Pirates (5-3) have taken the first two games of the interleague series by one run each, winning 5-4 on Friday and 3-2 on Saturday. The Orioles (3-5) have lost three straight and will try to avoid being swept to open a six-game road trip.

Pittsburgh will send right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (0-1, 7.71 ERA) to the mound. Mlodzinski earned the win in relief Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. In his previous outing, he struck out eight over 4 1/3 innings against the New York Mets on March 29.

Baltimore is expected to start right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 4.50 ERA). Ashcraft took the loss in his first start of the season, pitching six innings and allowing three runs.

A player to watch for the Orioles is right-hander Shane Baz, who started Saturday’s game. Baz delivered a strong performance in the loss, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

The Pirates’ bullpen has been key in the series, with Hunter Barco and Isaac Mattson combining for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief Saturday.

Despite their record, the Orioles have been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 Pirates victory.

Following the game, the Orioles travel to Chicago for a three-game series against the White Sox beginning Monday. The Pirates will remain home to open a three-game set with the San Diego Padres on Monday.