It should be another year for the Orioles with multiple All-Stars (O's win again)

From the 2017 through the 2022 seasons, the Orioles had just one player represent them at the All-Star Game. There was no game in 2020.

But last year, the club broke through in getting four players on the American League team in outfielder Austin Hays, catcher Adley Rutschman and relievers Félix Baustista and Yennier Cano.

The club could get four again, maybe even more. They should have three near-locks in Gunnar Henderson, Rutschman and pitcher Corbin Burnes to make the team, whether they get voted in or added later.

All-Star voting began Wednesday and phase one of the balloting runs through June 27. Click here to vote.

During the Toronto series, manager Brandon Hyde was asked if there is one player in particular he wants to push to make the game this summer, which will be played July 16 in Arlington, Texas.

“Well, I love when our guys are considered. We had four last year,” said Hyde. “That was awesome. I hope we get four again. A minimum of four. We have a bunch of guys that should be in consideration for it.

“Is there somebody that's a darkhorse candidate? I don’t want to leave anybody out. There are some guys that definitely should be on it. But someone like Jordan Westburg should definitely be considered. If you look at his numbers, but just what he has done for our team and what he does on a nightly basis. How consistent he is. What he brings defensively but also how he has impacted our lineup in such a massive way. I guess Westy would be one I hope they definitely consider.”

As of the league leader Saturday in the American League, the Orioles had two pitchers among the ERA leaders with Burnes fifth at 2.26 and Cole Irvin 10^th at 2.87. Craig Kimbrel’s 14 saves ranked third in the AL.

Among AL leaders in OPS, Henderson was fifth (.940), Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle are tied for 13^th (.832), and Rutschman is 16^th (.818).

Being among the winningest teams in baseball, the O’s should attract a lot of attention in voting and get multiple players on the team this year.

The last time they had five on the team was in 2016 with Brad Brach, Zack Britton, Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters.

The Orioles have nine players on this year's ballot:

First base: Ryan Mountcastle
Second base: Jorge Mateo
Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson
Third base: Jordan Westburg
Catcher: Adley Rutschman
Designated hitter: Ryan O’Hearn
Outfield: Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander

Another win at the Trop: Right-hander Kyle Bradish was back on the mound yesterday at The Trop as the Orioles blanked the Rays 5-0. Bradish, Danny Coulombe and Cionel Perez combined on a two-hitter with no walks and 14 strikeouts. 

Bradish allowed just one hit and fanned nine and improved to 2-0 with a 2.62 ERA.

This was the Orioles' fifth shutout of the season and first since May 3 at Cincinnati. It was the Orioles' first shutout at The Trop since May 25, 2018.

Now 41-22, the Orioles have won four of six, seven of 10 and 12 of their past 16 games. They are 15-6 now versus AL East teams.

Over their past 36 games, while going 24-12, the O's team ERA is 2.72. In that span, they allowed a .206 batting average and .598 OPS. In that stretch of games, they gave up two runs or less 16 times, and have gone 15-1 in those games.