Giants’ trio looks to continue success in matchup vs. Orioles

The San Francisco Giants enter Friday’s interleague showdown against the Baltimore Orioles with momentum firmly on their side, powered by a trio of hitters who have quickly become the backbone of their offense. Former American League stars Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman have not only stabilized San Francisco’s lineup but helped launch a five-game winning streak that has altered the club’s outlook heading into the stretch run.

The visiting Orioles, meanwhile, stagger into Oracle Park on the heels of a disastrous 1-7 homestand that saw their postseason hopes dim further. They arrive in the Bay Area looking for a reset, but the task is far from easy as they square off against one of the National League’s hottest lineups and a familiar pitcher in Robbie Ray.

This series brings together two franchises that rarely meet. Since 2019, the Giants and Orioles have squared off just six times, with Baltimore taking two of three on each occasion. In fact, this marks just the 25th all-time meeting between the two teams. But while the history is sparse, the current dynamics on both sides make for a fascinating clash.

Giants’ trio thriving as lineup centerpiece

The story of the Giants’ recent surge begins with the impact of their 2-3-4 hitters. San Francisco entered the season with high expectations after adding Chapman in free agency, trading for Devers at the deadline, and signing Adames the year prior. After a slow adjustment period, all three have hit their stride simultaneously.

Adames has been the spark, belting multiple two-homer games in the past week. Devers delivered one of the most memorable individual performances in franchise history against the Cubs on Wednesday, tallying four hits, two home runs, five RBIs, and four runs scored in a 12-3 win. Chapman, meanwhile, has provided consistent pop, homering and driving in two runs in each of the first two games of that series.

“These are the guys we signed,” manager Bob Melvin said after Thursday’s series finale, a tight 4-3 win that sealed a sweep of Chicago. “For a while now, we’ve expected big-time production. These are the guys we expect to be in those kinds of spots for years to come.”

The statistics back up Melvin’s confidence. Against Baltimore specifically, Devers has historically tormented Orioles pitching. In his years with Boston, he hit .294 against them with 22 home runs and 83 RBIs — numbers that far exceed his overall averages. Chapman and Adames have also had success, with Chapman hitting eight homers against Baltimore and Adames batting .281 with six long balls in his career versus the club.

With this level of production and familiarity against Baltimore pitching, it is no surprise that the Giants’ winning streak has coincided with their success.

Orioles look to reset after rough homestand

The Orioles come west in search of a turnaround after an ugly homestand that saw them go 1-7 and capped by a fourth straight loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. Their offense sputtered in key moments, their bullpen faltered late, and their once-solid defense slipped at inopportune times.

Even more concerning is that the slump comes at a critical moment in the playoff race. While Baltimore has endured ups and downs throughout the season, they cannot afford prolonged skids with multiple teams jockeying for position in the crowded American League standings.

Young stars Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson will be central to Baltimore’s hopes in San Francisco. Holliday, who went 2-for-6 in last season’s series against the Giants, has never played at Oracle Park. Henderson, a budding MVP candidate, went just 1-for-5 in his lone appearance in San Francisco in 2023. Neither has faced Robbie Ray, adding an element of uncertainty to the matchup.

Still, the Orioles’ young core represents the best chance for the team to break its slide. With Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander providing veteran stability, Baltimore must rediscover the offensive rhythm that carried them earlier in the season.

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Pitching matchup: Dean Kremer vs. Robbie Ray

Friday’s opener features a battle of righty vs. lefty, with Dean Kremer set to take the mound for Baltimore opposite Giants southpaw Robbie Ray.

Kremer enters at 9-9 with a 4.19 ERA. His season has been marked by inconsistency, but he showcased his potential two starts ago when he blanked the Houston Astros over seven innings on the road, allowing just three hits. It was the fourth time this season he has pitched at least seven scoreless innings, a reminder that he can dominate when locked in. Kremer has also fared decently against San Francisco, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts, including six innings of two-run ball in a 2023 win at Oracle Park.

Ray, meanwhile, has been one of the Giants’ most reliable arms in 2025. The former AL Cy Young winner is 10-6 with a 2.93 ERA, delivering veteran stability to a rotation that has battled injuries. He has faced Baltimore seven times in his career, going 2-3 with a 4.34 ERA. While those numbers are modest, Ray’s experience against the Orioles’ lineup and his ability to miss bats make him a challenging opponent.

This duel may hinge on which pitcher can navigate the opposing trio of sluggers — Devers, Adames, and Chapman for the Giants, and Henderson, Holliday, and Santander for Baltimore.

Keys to the series

For the Giants, the formula is simple: ride the hot bats of their new-look core and continue getting length from their starting pitching. Ray’s ability to set the tone in Game 1 could pave the way for the bullpen to stay fresh for the weekend. San Francisco’s defense and situational hitting, both inconsistent earlier in the season, have also improved in recent weeks — a trend they’ll need to maintain.

For Baltimore, the key lies in finding stability after a brutal homestand. The Orioles must get Kremer deep into the game to protect a taxed bullpen, and they need their young stars to step up against one of the league’s better left-handers. Holliday and Henderson, in particular, will be asked to generate offense early to take pressure off a struggling pitching staff.

What’s at stake

This interleague series may not carry the weight of a divisional rivalry, but the stakes are high. The Giants are chasing a wild card berth in the National League and cannot afford to lose ground with so many teams bunched around the playoff line. Every win matters, and taking advantage of a slumping opponent is critical.

For the Orioles, the series represents a chance to stop the bleeding and regain footing before September. Their youth and talent give them upside, but extended losing streaks are dangerous at this stage of the season. Even a series win in San Francisco could reset their momentum and restore confidence.

Fans and bettors can track every development through the MLB picks page, monitor daily updates on the odds board, and dig deeper into betting strategies with the expert MLB betting guide. For full team stats, lineups, and schedules, visit the San Francisco Giants page and the Baltimore Orioles page.

Conclusion

The Giants and Orioles may not have a long history against one another, but their meeting this weekend arrives at a pivotal moment for both clubs. San Francisco is charging into the playoff race behind a revitalized heart of the order, while Baltimore is desperate to stop a slide that has threatened to derail its season. With Kremer and Ray on the mound, Friday’s opener will test whether the Orioles can reset their season or if the Giants’ big bats will continue to dominate.