Baz has quietly been solid the last month even as his win-loss record stays ugly, a sign of how little support he's getting. Baltimore's bullpen has its own issues brewing, with Ryan Helsley dealing with elbow discomfort and Keegan Akin awaiting MRI results on his own elbow — not exactly the depth chart you want walking into a series with a lineup that's mashed St. Louis and San Diego pitching all month.
Chicago's offense has been feast or famine lately — a 23-3 blowout of the Padres sandwiched around a 1-17 no-show against the Cardinals — but the ceiling is obviously there when it clicks. Baltimore, meanwhile, has actually won 3 of its last 5, including a pair of wins in Cincinnati, so this isn't a team that's dead in the water even sitting under .500.
Both bullpens are banged up, which is the real story here more than either rotation. Chicago's relief corps has been gutted by injuries to Ben Brown, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Daniel Palencia and Ethan Roberts, meaning Counsell has a shorter bridge to whatever length Boyd gives him. If either starter is pulled early, expect the middle innings to get sloppy fast.
This is a game with real stakes for both sides even without postseason implications attached — the Cubs are trying to prove their record is sustainable, the Orioles are trying to prove this season isn't lost. First pitch is 6:35 PM ET at Camden Yards.