So… that was fun! The Orioles got shut out for seven innings, gave up a grand slam, and still won. The bottom of the lineup was pivotal in that monster eighth inning: Leody Taveras had a big walk in a key situation, outfielder Weston Wilson doubled with the bases lodaed, and Jeremiah Jackson hit the game-winning Earl Weaver Special.

Now hitting .317 with a .923 OPS, Jackson is making it hard to move on from him, even when the regular guys come back from the injured list.It was a great win, although it would be awesome, I admit, if the offense could show up a little earlier (they were no-hit through eight the night before). The Orioles will have to push their runs across Gavin Williams, a 26-year-old righty who’s 2-1 so far with a 2.38 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and a 29:16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four starts. At 6’6, 250 lbs, the 2021 first-rounder is big, throws hard, and has command of multiple pitches.

And he’s been even better his last three starts, with just one earned run over 17.2 innings. This is a tough test for the O’s lineup, no doubt.Kremer comes in at 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA and 9 strikeouts, having just been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in time to slot back into the rotation. I will say I am happy to have him back.

Despite his reputation for bad Aprils, his recent Norfolk stints showed him getting sharper, and while proving extremely homer-prone (3 HR allowed in five IP) he looked more like himself in his most recent outing against the Diamondbacks: the nine strikeouts were nice.This looks to be a tough matchup, but if Kremer can keep the ball in the yard and the offense can work some walks and get Jackson or Gunnar to time up a fastball, they could scratch out a win. Crazier things have happened—and just this week! Orioles lineupGunnar Henderson SSTaylor Ward LFPete Alonso 1BDylan Beavers RFColton Cowser DHLeody Taveras CFSamuel Basallo CCoby Mayo 3BJeremiah Jackson 2BDean Kremer RHPGuardians lineupSteven Kwan CFChase DeLauter RFJosé Ramírez 3BKyle Manzardo DHGeorge Valera LFRhys Hoskins DHDaniel Schneeman 2BBo Naylor CBrayan Rocchio SSGavin Williams RHP