Thursday night Orioles game thread: vs. Astros, 7:05

The final series of the season begins tonight at what will most likely be a rainy Camden Yards. It is between one team who is preparing for a postseason and another team whose season essentially ended in late April.

David Hess will make his final start of the 2018 season tonight. He brings a 5.14 ERA into the contest and will look to end his rookie campaign on a high note. After pitching well after being called up and struggling in the summer, he as pitched better lately. Gerrit Cole will view this start as a tuneup before the playoffs. He has had a fantastic 2018 season, pitching to a 2.92 ERA.

Chris Davis again finds himself on the bench as his odd 2018 season continues. Trey Mancini will play first base and bat in the third spot. Corban Joseph gets the start at designated hitter, Steve Wilkerson at third base, and Jace Peterson at second base. Austin Wynns will catch Hess. On the injury front, Renato Nunez and Miguel Castro are banged up.

Off the field, we all know this could be the last series in an Orioles uniform for Adam Jones and Buck Showalter. Buck talked about that today. As you’d expect, he is focused on these four games. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Orioles lineup

• Cedric Mullins CF
• Jonathan Villar SS
• Trey Mancini 1B
• Adam Jones RF
• DJ Stewart LF
• Corban Joseph DH
• Steve Wilkerson 2B
• Jace Peterson 3B
• Austin Wynns C
• David Hess RHP

Astros lineup

• Josh Reddick RF
• Jose Altuve 2B
• Alex Bregman 3B
• Carlos Correa SS
• Tyler White 1B
• Brian McCann DH
• Martin Maldonado C
• Kyle Tucker LF
• Jake Marisnick CF
• Gerrit Cole RHP