Saturday afternoon Orioles game thread: at Nationals, 4:05pm ET
After disappointing game Friday, the O’s look to even the series an win their 7th straight Chris Bassitt start
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 22: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tanner Gatlin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Where to watch: MASN/MASN+ or FS1 (National) Probable pitchers: RHP Chris Bassitt (3-2, 5. 21 ERA, 26 K) vs.
RHP Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4. 02 ERA, 44 K) After an incredibly unlucky night for the offense on Friday, the Orioles look to even this season’s first Battle of the Beltways series tonight in DC. Most of Birdland doesn’t want to hear luck as an excuse for another Orioles’ loss, but it was an undeniable part of last night’s 3-2 loss in the District.
Baltimore put up a staggering 16 hard-hit balls against Zack Littell and the Nationals’ bullpen—only to be rewarded with six hits and two runs. Strikeouts and clutch hitting were still ever-present problems for Baltimore in the loss. The O’s struck out 10 times to raise their season total to 414—the fourth-worst mark in baseball.
The Birds also went 1-f0r-6 with RISP, as they failed to raise their mediocre season average of . 246 with runners on second or third (16th in MLB). Still, their frequency of quality contact would have yielded more runs on a different night and possibly have helped the O’s steal Game 1.