In their first meeting since late May, the Baltimore Orioles are set to face the Boston Red Sox in a crucial two-game series in Boston, with hopes of finishing a sweep on Tuesday night. Following a strong performance by Trevor Rogers in Monday’s series opener, Baltimore is turning to rookie Tomoyuki Sugano to take the mound for the first time against Boston.

Sugano’s Promising Start as a 35-Year-Old Rookie

Tomoyuki Sugano enters this game with a 10-5 record and a 4.13 ERA, having remained undefeated since July 2. His last two starts were marked by strong pitching, allowing only one run in each game. Most recently, Sugano pitched 5 1/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners before a rain delay ended his outing. Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino praised Sugano’s performance, saying,

“Throwing strikes, good velocity, good split, good command,”

highlighting the rookie’s skill set as pivotal for Baltimore’s pitching staff.

Sugano is not just any rookie—he is the 10th Japanese-born pitcher to reach 10 wins in his rookie Major League season, underscoring his significant impact in his debut year.

Orioles’ Resurgence Driven by Strong Pitching and Key Players

Baltimore has seen a notable turnaround following a tough 3-8 stretch, winning five of their last six games. The pitching staff has played an essential role in this revival, as the Orioles’ team ERA has improved dramatically from 4.92 before the All-Star break to 3.89 since then, ranking fourth in the American League.

In Monday’s win, the Orioles produced 12 hits, with shortstop Gunnar Henderson delivering an outstanding performance. Henderson notched a triple, a home run, two RBIs, and scored three runs, continuing his strong production with runners in scoring position, where he is batting .522 since early June. With Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn no longer on the roster after the trade deadline, Henderson is becoming a critical figure for Baltimore’s offense.

Reflecting on the team’s adjustment after losing veteran players, Henderson said,

“It’s hard to just go out there and play good baseball after some of your longtime teammates leave, but … we’re really starting to put it together,”

and added,

“You try to lean on guys, but we don’t really have that long-tenured veteran. We’re just kind of leaning on each other.”

Red Sox Strengthen Lineup with Nathaniel Lowe

The Boston Red Sox bolstered their roster by adding first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who joined the team after being released by the Washington Nationals on Monday. Although Lowe did not start against left-hander Trevor Rogers, he contributed as a pinch hitter by drawing a walk and scoring a run in the ninth inning, fueling a late rally for Boston.

Lowe described his experience by saying,

“Getting plugged into a lineup that’s having great success and being part of making a great postseason push is what it’s all about,”

reflecting his enthusiasm for joining the team at such a critical stage.

Boston manager Alex Cora commented on Lowe’s role going forward, stating,

“We’ll use him against righties, certain lefties, pinch-hit him late and use him to maximize the roster,”

emphasizing how Lowe fits into the team’s strategy alongside switch-hitter Abraham Toro. Cora also remarked, “He’s excited to be here,” highlighting the newcomer’s eagerness to contribute.

Buehler Faces Mixed Recent Results as Red Sox Starter

Starting for Boston on Tuesday, right-hander Walker Buehler holds a 7-7 record with a 5.43 ERA this season. His recent outings have been inconsistent; he pitched six innings giving up four runs and two homers in a loss to Houston, following a strong shutout performance against San Diego five days earlier.

Reflecting on the tough game against Houston, Buehler said,

“There was a lot of 92 (mph) in there and kinda moving the ball around, but pitching a little bit and making a lot of pitches when I felt like I needed to — and you kinda lose it there in the sixth at the end.”

Against Baltimore specifically, Buehler has a solid history with a 1-1 record and a 2.16 ERA in three career starts, including a notable appearance on May 25 where he allowed two runs over five innings.

Looking Ahead: Sugano’s Debut and Series Implications

Tomoyuki Sugano’s Orioles pitching debut represents not only a major personal milestone but also a strategic attempt by Baltimore to maintain momentum in this key series against the Red Sox. With Baltimore’s pitching staff gaining strength and offensive leaders like Gunnar Henderson stepping up, the Orioles could extend their winning streak and improve their standing in the American League.

Meanwhile, Boston’s integration of Nathaniel Lowe and reliance on pitchers like Walker Buehler will be critical as the Red Sox aim to halt their recent slide and push toward playoff qualification. Tuesday’s game promises to be a compelling contest with both teams seeking to secure an advantage as the season approaches its final stretch.