Sunday afternoon Orioles game thread: vs. Astros, 1:05

Normally I like to start one of these game threads with a quick little catch-up on the night before, but...forget that.

Not today.

New game, people. Let’s not dwell on the hideous, hideous past.

The Orioles are under strict obligation to go out there and play another baseball game today, and will send Asher Wojciechowski to the mound. The right-hander is looking to find his form from his last two starts of July (14.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 16 Ks) after two shaky starts in August. In appearances against the Blue Jays and Yankees, he allowed nine runs in 8.2 innings, giving up five home runs in the process.

His counterpart will be...oh boy. Justin Verlander, who’s 15-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 157.2 innings. Yay. To make things more exciting, Verlander has been on a roll of late, with five straight starts of at least six innings and no more than two runs allowed. He’s also racked up double-digit punchouts in his last four times out.

Verlander has not faced the Orioles yet this season. As for the lineup he’ll be facing, no real surprises. The biggest note is probably Rio Ruiz, who will make his first start since July 21 against the Red Sox.

Orioles lineup

Jonathan Villar SS

Trey Mancini RF

Anthony Santander CF

Pedro Severino C

Jace Peterson LF

Hanser Alberto 2B

Chance Sisco DH

Chris Davis 1B

Rio Ruiz 3B

• Asher Wojciechowski RHP

Astros lineup

George Springer CF

Jose Altuve 2B

Michael Brantley LF

Alex Bregman 3B

Yordan Alvarez DH

Carlos Correa SS

Aledmys Diaz 1B

Robinson Chrinos C

Josh Reddick RF

• Justin Verlander RHP