Baltimore Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes was an All-Star in the first half of the season, but he has been all over the place during the past month.
Burnes (12-6, 3.28 ERA) will have a chance to get back on track when he faces the host Los Angeles Dodgers in the middle contest of a three-game series on Wednesday.
The raw numbers of Burnes’ month of August include four starts, an 8.71 ERA and a 1-2 record. He has allowed 22 runs to score in those contests, the most he has ever permitted in a four-start stretch.
He also has come away with a loss in each of his past two starts and is in danger of losing three consecutive starts for the first time in his seven-year career.
With the Orioles just 19-18 since the All-Star break as they struggle to keep pace with the American League East-leading New York Yankees, Burnes said better outings can go a long way toward helping the club to get on a run.
“I think the way we started off the year is how we think we can play baseball, and we know we can play baseball that way,” Burnes told reporters after his most recent start Thursday. “It starts with us on the mound, and it starts with me. I haven’t done my job the past few starts. It’s going to take me to turn things around.”
Baltimore pulled off a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers on Monday by getting home runs from Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Urias. The Orioles pulled in front on Urias’ two-run shot in the fifth inning, his 10th of the season and fourth in the past 11 games.
The Dodgers also have a former All-Star taking the mound Wednesday who is looking to find his previous form. Right-hander Walker Buehler (1-4, 6.09) has struggled to get back on track after missing two years following Tommy John surgery then missed more time with a hip injury shortly after his return.
Buehler has made two starts since the hip issue and has given up three earned runs in each outing while pitching a combined 7 1/3 innings. He also has a combined seven walks in those two starts as his command remains a work in progress.
In an effort to help the situation, the Dodgers moved Walker’s start from Tuesday to Wednesday to give him a bit more rest. Rest and a recharged outlook could serve Buehler well.
“I don’t want to sound too optimistic about it, just because of the results, but I came out of that one feeling pretty good about where I’m at and what we’ve done this week in terms of delivery,” Buehler said. “I’ve been saying, ‘I’ve got to perform, I’ve got to perform,’ but I feel like I can actually perform now.”
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who had been playing despite a hairline fracture in his right middle finger, was given the night off Tuesday.
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, who has 41 home runs and 40 stolen bases, had two hits and a run Tuesday. He has a month left to become the first 50-50 player in MLB history.
–Field Level Media