Wednesday night Orioles game thread: vs. Athletics, 7:05

If you like blowouts, then buddy, has this been the series for you.

The Orioles and Athletics have started their four-game series with two lopsided scores. On Monday, the O’s exploded for their best hitting performance of the year, hanging a 12-4 rout on the A’s. Yesterday, it was Oakland who did the trouncing, winning by a 13-2 margin. Does one or both of these teams have another offensive eruption in store tonight?

The Birds will be hoping to stifle the Athletics’ bats behind veteran righty Dan Straily, who’s making his first start for Baltimore. Straily’s Orioles debut Sunday was a disastrous 1.1-inning, five-run relief appearance. Now he’s starting against the Athletics, the team that drafted and developed him.

Chris Davis, riding an MLB-record 49 at-bat hitless streak, is out of the lineup for the second straight game, but the first time this year against a right-hander. Brandon Hyde told reporters that Davis is working behind the scenes with hitting coach Don Long and could be back in the lineup tomorrow. I know you were worried.

Orioles lineup:

Cedric Mullins CF
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Jonathan Villar SS
Trey Mancini 1B
Renato Nunez DH
Rio Ruiz 3B
Joey Rickard RF
Jesus Sucre C
Hanser Alberto 2B

Dan Straily RHP

Athletics lineup:

Robbie Grossman LF
Marcus Semien SS
Matt Chapman 3B
Khris Davis DH
Kendrys Morales 1B
Chad Pinder RF
Jurickson Profar 2B
Ramon Laureano CF
Nick Hundley C

Frankie Montas RHP