The Baltimore Orioles return to Camden Yards on Sunday looking to wrap up their series against the Miami Marlins with a crucial win that would lift them to 44–51 at the All-Star break and inject some much-needed optimism into what has been a frustratingly up-and-down campaign. The Orioles have hovered near the .500 mark for most of the season, and while their 22–24 home record doesn’t exactly intimidate, they’ve shown signs of life lately with a 7–3 ATS record in their last 10 games and a bullpen that has steadied after early-season woes. Taking the mound will be right-hander Brandon Young, a rookie with impressive strikeout potential but some serious control issues, entering the game with a 0–3 record, a 6.14 ERA, and an unsettling 1.73 WHIP. Young has flashed the ability to miss bats, but his inability to pitch deep into games and avoid walks has forced Baltimore to rely heavily on its bullpen, which fortunately includes one of MLB’s most dominant closers in Félix Bautista. Bautista, now fully healthy and back to All-Star form, has compiled 66 saves and a sub-2.00 ERA over the past two seasons, giving Baltimore a clear edge in late-game situations when leading after eight innings. Offensively, the Orioles have produced 387 runs and 108 home runs on the year, numbers that place them slightly above average in the American League, though much of their production has come in bunches rather than steady scoring.

Gunnar Henderson has emerged as the centerpiece of the lineup with his mix of power, discipline, and solid defense at shortstop, while outfielder Kyle Stowers adds another dangerous bat capable of flipping games with one swing. The Orioles are at their best when they get timely hits from the bottom of the order and string together quality at-bats—something they’ll need against Miami starter Eury Pérez, whose raw stuff can be overwhelming if hitters chase outside the zone. Baltimore’s approach will likely focus on grinding out long at-bats, elevating Pérez’s pitch count, and forcing an early bullpen call, which could swing the game in the Orioles’ favor given their late-inning firepower. Defensively, the Orioles have cleaned up many of the miscues that plagued them earlier in the season, and manager Brandon Hyde has leaned into more aggressive in-game tactics—pinch-runners, hit-and-run calls, and leveraging Bautista for four-out saves when necessary. The Marlins are a scrappy, athletic team that won’t make it easy, but if Young can keep the game within reach through five innings and avoid crooked numbers early, Baltimore’s depth and home-field edge could take over. The over/under is set at 9 runs, and while both offenses are capable of surging, it may come down to whose bullpen blinks first. For the Orioles, this game represents an opportunity to close out the first half with momentum, reward their loyal fanbase with a home series win, and build belief that a second-half playoff push is still within reach in a competitive AL East. With the bats warming up, Bautista ready to slam the door, and a favorable matchup on paper, Sunday offers Baltimore the chance to seize control and send the Marlins home with a loss.