Baltimore has not favored well against lefties thus far in the season. They’re hitting .168 against them with a .484 OPS as well. The Nationals also are facing a lefty, and they haven’t been hitting well either, .229 average as a team. Mackenzie Gore has pitched well at home, 1.50 ERA in 12 innings while Cade Povich has the same ERA on the road, but in a small sample size of six innings. The game has gone under the total in six of the eight meetings between these two.

Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles will look to avoid being swept for the first time this season. They’ve lost four of five games, and really have struggled at the plate with three runs or less in all four losses. A positive for the Orioles is they did generate ten hits in Wednesday’s loss, but were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Look for better success today as MacKenzie Gore has given up five hits or more in three out of his last four starts. Take the Orioles

We still suspect there's some "Reputation vs Reality" going on price-wise in the Battle of the Beltways (there's one in Baltimore, too!) as Washington should probably be laying a heavier price tonight. The skidding Orioles, even with their most effective starter, Tomoyuki Sugano, on the mound last night, still couldn't win, and now risk getting swept in DC unless Thursday starter Cade Povich pitches a lot better than he has thus far, with a 6.38 ERA and 2.07 WHIP, part of a disappointing Birds rotation with an ERA hovering near 6 thus far. Big edge on the mound for the Nats with MacKenzie Gore, who continues to flash elite stuff with 45 Ks in 29 IP. Play Nats on Run Line

Game three of this series, the Nats won games one and two, O's looking to avoid the sweep now. MacKenzie Gore faces off with Cade Povich, and I have the wrong team favored in the F5 here. Washington used up some of that bullpen to win a close game last night, so I don't trust them full game (if ever) but I do think Gore provides a solid edge over Povich. 3.06 xERA vs 6.60 xERA. The O's also rank 3rd in MLB in OPS against righties and dead last against lefties, while the Nats have also been better vs. lefties it's been a smaller split. Look for Dylan Crews to keep his hitting streak alive against the lefty.

Tuesday's Orioles-Nationals moneyline seemed baffling with Baltimore favored despite an awful starting pitcher in Dean Kremer. And that was an easy +1.5 win on Washington. More of the same here with lefty Cade Povich (6.38 ERA) scheduled. The O's have lost his past three. When we faded the Orioles on Tuesday and they were shut out, we told you they absolutely can't hit lefties (.484 OPS). The Nats start a good one in MacKenzie Gore (1.50 ERA at home in two starts). Listed pitchers only.

The Orioles are abject failures against lefties. Lefty openers go three innings perfect against them. Mitchell Parker nearly threw a complete game, one-hit shutout vs them Tuesday night. The O's have .165/.247/.225 slash vs lefties (29th in OPS). And now they face a premier lefty who is leading the league in punchouts. Oh, and Cade Povich is 1-6 career on the road with a 6.81 ERA and 1.7 WHIP. The Nats don't have many bats but top of lineup looking better this week. O's lack passion and effort most nights and are a terrible defensive team.