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The Orioles are still searching for their first home win of the season. Chris Davis is still in pursuit of his first hit of the season anywhere. Both things could happen today, and they could both also not happen. The latter feels eminently more possible given how the O’s have played over the last four games.
The visiting Athletics are on a losing streak of their own. They were just swept in a three-game series with the Astros. For more on the current state of the A’s, check out Harrison Jozwiak’s series preview posted earlier today.
Manager Brandon Hyde is starting to figure out which hitters he can count on and then build his lineup accordingly. Boy, are the 6-9 spots (currently) a black hole from which no offense can escape. The slugging percentages of the bottom four hitters are, in order, .000, .261, .087, .091. Opposing pitching staffs should be shaking in their New Balance spikes with numbers like that.
As the old saying goes, that is why they play the games. Davis might luck into a hit. Andrew Cashner could toss a gem and Richie Martin might get a ball out of the outfield. Dare to dream, O’s fans!
Orioles lineup
- Jonathan Villar, 2B
- Joey Rickard, LF
- Trey Mancini, RF
- Renato Nunez, DH
- Hanser Alberto, 3B
- Chris Davis, 1B
- Jesus Sucre, C
- Richie Martin, SS
- Cedric Mullins, CF
RHP Andrew Cashner
Athletics lineup
- Robbie Grossman, LF
- Matt Chapman, 3B
- Stephen Piscotty, RF
- Khris Davis, DH
- Kendry Morales, 1B
- Marcus Semien
- Jurickson Profar, 2B
- Cark Canha, CF
- Josh Phegley, C
RHP Marco Estrada