Jun 19, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Baltimore right-hander Charlie Morton will make his return to Atlanta on Friday when the Orioles open a three-game series against the Braves.
The Braves lost two of three against the visiting Los Angeles Angels the past three days and have dropped six of their past eight. The Orioles fell twice in a three-game road set against the Texas Rangers this week, and they have dropped seven of their past 11.
The Orioles won last year’s series against the Braves 2-1 in Baltimore.
Morton was selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2002 draft and made his major league debut with the Braves in 2008. He rejoined the organization in 2021 and stayed with the Braves through 2024, winning 45 games in those four seasons. Morton signed with the Orioles as a free agent in January.
Morton (4-7, 5.63 ERA) will be opposed by Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (3-6, 3.86) in the series opener.
Because of mild tendinitis in his right elbow, Morton hasn’t pitched since June 24. He is riding a four-decision winning streak, and he has a 2.68 ERA in his past nine outings (six starts).
In his most recent appearance, Morton received no-decision against Texas after throwing five innings and allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
“He’s got a long track record,” Baltimore manager Tony Mansolino said regarding Morton’s resurgence. “A guy that’s been that successful for so long, it probably shouldn’t be that big of a surprise.”
Morton last faced the Braves as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020. He is 3-2 with a 3.53 ERA in seven career starts against Atlanta.
Strider has won three of his past four starts, pitching to a 2.25 ERA over that stretch. He lost 2-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday despite allowing only two runs over seven innings.
Strider has made his lone career start against Baltimore in 2023, and he allowed two runs in five innings while striking out 10 in a no-decision.
Morton will face a struggling Atlanta offense. The Braves avoided their fourth shutout in the past seven games on Thursday when Jurickson Profar hit a solo homer in the ninth inning in a 5-1 loss to the Angels.
Profar has homered in both games since returning from an 80-game suspension.
Braves first baseman Matt Olson singled on Thursday to reach base for the 33rd consecutive game, the longest active streak in the majors. It’s the longest such streak by an Atlanta player since Freddie Freeman had a 33-game run in 2020. Gary Sheffield set the franchise record of 52 games in 2002.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker remains confident the offense will emerge.
“You know what, I see them every day,” Snitker said. “They turn the page, they come in and they’ve got great attitudes. They work hard and they expect to win the game.”
The Orioles made several roster moves on the eve of the series.
While having Thursday off, Baltimore promoted right-handers Yennier Cano and Corbin Martin from Triple-A Norfolk. They designated right-hander Matt Bowman for assignment and put left-hander Keegan Akin on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation.
On Friday, the Orioles are expected to activate outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who has been out since mid-May because of a left shoulder impingement. O’Neill was batting .188 with two homers and 10 RBIs when he was sidelined.
–Field Level Media
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