Cade Povich Recalled to Start Against Yankees in Bronx
Cade Povich is back in Baltimore’s rotation, and the Orioles sent him straight into Friday night’s series opener against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The left-hander was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk for the start, a move tied to Trevor Rogers’ absence on the 15-day injured list.
Yankee Stadium Start
The Orioles optioned reliever Cam Foster to clear the roster spot. Povich’s assignment came against a Yankees team that had won 10 of its last 12 games and owned the American League’s best record at 20-11, with a plus-47 run differential that led the league.
That puts a young starter with a small sample of strong work in Baltimore into one of the toughest settings on the schedule. Povich has a 2.19 ERA in two appearances for the Orioles, including one start, and has allowed three runs in 12 1/3 innings.
Povich Versus New York
The challenge has looked different against New York. In four career starts against the Yankees, he has allowed 10 runs and 14 hits with 17 walks and 14 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. Aaron Judge entered tied for the major league home run lead with 12, and Ben Rice remained part of a lineup that had carried New York to this start.
The Orioles need the outing to hold together more than just one game. Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz are expected to start the next two games, and the club still needs a starter for Monday, so Friday’s decision reaches beyond the opener.
Orioles Rotation Pressure
Rogers’ trip to the injured list, battling the flu, leaves the Orioles managing the series on the fly. They were also coming off back-to-back home series against last-place clubs before entering a four-game set in the Bronx, where last season they went 9-4 against New York and finished with a three-game home sweep against the Orioles.
That history gives Baltimore a familiar obstacle and a familiar response: New York has handled this matchup before, and Povich has to keep the game from turning into another entry in that trend. If he repeats the version of himself that posted the 2.19 ERA, the Orioles can cover one start and keep the rotation from cracking open before Monday.
