Two consecutive years is almost considered an annual occurrence.
When the Orioles hosted ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” crew and the New York Yankees on July 30 last year, it ended a five-year drought. Baltimore was 37-93 when Camden Yards last appeared on the nationally televised game in 2018.
On June 30, Camden Yards will again host “Sunday Night Baseball” for a 7:10 p.m. playoff rematch against with the Texas Rangers, who swept the Orioles in last season’s best-of-five American League Division Series on their way to a World Series title. The game against the Rangers (32-35), who entered Thursday 6 1/2 games back of first place in the AL West, was originally scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
A second consecutive year bringing a national television audience to Baltimore, which has also appeared on Apple TV+ and Fox Sports 1 this season, is a nod to the Orioles playing like one of the best teams in baseball.
The Orioles (45-22) entered Thursday having won six straight games and 16 of their past 20, putting them on pace for 108 victories. That would surpass last year’s 101-win mark. They’re 2 1/2 games behind the scorching-hot Yankees (49-21) for first place in the AL East.
Baltimore’s stars have exceeded expectations in churning out such a successful start.
Corbin Burnes, an ace the Orioles traded for before the start of the season, is on pace for the best ERA by an Orioles starter since Jim Palmer in 1972. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson already has 21 home runs, seven shy of his 2023 total and four back of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the AL lead.
“They’ve got a good blend,” Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said of the Orioles on Wednesday night. “They put a guy in for defense [outfielder Colton Cowser], and he hits a two-run homer. I mean, they’re really, really good. They’re strong. That’s one of the best lineups you’re gonna see, and they all defend, they’re all athletic.”
As of now, the Orioles have 10 nationally televised games on their schedule. Three feature the Yankees, two have the Rangers and another pair will be against the Tampa Bay Rays, who Baltimore battled for the division title last season.
Orioles national broadcast schedule
Tuesday, June 18 at Yankees, 7:05 (TBS)
Saturday, June 29 vs. Rangers, 7:15 (Fox)
Sunday, June 30 vs. Rangers, 7:10 (ESPN)
Saturday, July 13 vs. Yankees, 4:05 (FS1)
Sunday, July 14 vs. Yankees, 11:35 a.m. (Roku)
Saturday, July 27 vs. Padres, 4:05 (FS1)
Saturday, Aug. 3 at Guardians, 7:15 (Fox)
Saturday, Aug. 10 at Rays, 7:15 (Fox)
Thursday, Aug. 22 vs. Astros, 7:15 (Fox)
Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Rays, 12:05 (Roku)