Ernesto Alvarez’s first full day as a pitcher at Fort Bragg came two days after a devastating, two-run single by the left-handed hitting San Diego Padres gave his team a 10–7 road victory. It was the closest the defending world champion has come to a victory in any regular-season game this century. As a pitcher, Alvarez’s 0.40 ERA and 2.14 FIP suggest that he’ll need to get back to his old self if his squad is to have any chance down the stretch. He’s allowed four runs in 18 2/3 innings over his last four career starts.
The left-hander has allowed just two home runs in 14 2/3 innings this year and has a 13.9 percent walk-rate. At 26, he’s one of the oldest pitchers in baseball.
The Astros’ decision to promote lefty Brett Oberholtzer to the big leagues from Double-A last weekend is another reminder that some things will not be written off. The veteran right-hander will earn around $8.5 million next season in his second-lowest non-roster salary. Still, both sides are expecting a bounce-back performance out of the lefty. Oberholtzer had a 1.66 ERA and 7.7 K/9 in 10 innings in three starts while striking out nine and walking two in March and April.
And then there’s the Orioles’ bullpen. On Saturday, right-hander Matt Wieters gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings before leaving the game. His next start, scheduled for Sunday, will be another test.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen is a mixture of young talent and seasoned veterans, with most of their biggest arms coming off the disabled list. The bullpen, however, has been somewhat a disappointment this year. The starters have an ERA of 4.10, while the Blue Jays bullpen has a 5.06 ERA as a collective unit. Right-hander Marcus Stroman has surrendered six earned runs in 8 1/3 innings. The bullpen has just a 6.65 ERA since the All-Star break.
Both clubs look to rebound from their losses, and perhaps move back to.500 for the first time since June 1, but the Blue Jays should want to win. It certainly may not help them that they are on the road. The Orioles have a five-game road trip coming up, and have lost