Saturday afternoon Orioles game thread: at Nationals, 4:05pm ET

May 17, 2026 - 04:16

The Baltimore Orioles are back at it this Saturday afternoon, hoping to shake off a tough loss from Friday night and square things up against the Washington Nationals. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on the mound as the O's send Chris Bassitt to the hill.

Bassitt has been a steady force for Baltimore lately. The team has won each of his last six starts, a stretch that has provided a much-needed anchor in the rotation. If the Orioles can make it seven straight behind him, they will not only even this interleague series but also build some positive momentum heading into the rest of the weekend.

Friday's game was a disappointment, with the bats struggling to get going and the bullpen unable to hold the line. The offense will need to wake up early against a Nationals pitching staff that has been inconsistent but capable of shutting down a lineup when it gets ahead. The key for Baltimore will be getting to the starter early and putting pressure on Washington's defense.

For the Nationals, they will look to build on their Friday win and keep the Orioles from finding any rhythm. It is a classic mid-summer matchup between two teams heading in different directions, but in a short series, anything can happen. The O's have the edge on paper, especially with Bassitt on the bump, but they will need to execute to avoid dropping two in a row.