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

It will be a battle of left-handed starters in this game as the Rangers come into Baltimore for an extended stay that will stretch from tonight through Sunday.

The Orioles will be getting their best pitcher on the bump this evening. After a poor month and a half that saw his ERA go from 2.50 to 3.76, John Means has been able to rebound recently. In his last three starts, the left-hander has only allowed six runs (five earned) in 19 innings. He’s got 15 strikeouts and only two walks over that time span, while opponents have an OPS of .528 against him.

His last time out on the mound, Means got yanked after seven innings despite having a pitch count in the 70s. It’ll be interesting to see how long Hyde lets Means go tonight.

The Rangers will send 22-year-old left-hander Kolby Allard to the hill for his first career start against the Orioles and at Camden Yards. Allard was acquired from the Braves at the trade deadline this year in exchange for Chris Martin. With two different Triple-A teams this year, the lefty has put up a 3.99 ERA with 106 strikeouts and 38 walks in 115 total innings. In five starts so far with Texas, he’s 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 9.0 SO/9 and 3.00 SO/W.

Orioles lineup

1. Hanser Alberto 3B
2. Trey Mancini RF
3. Anthony Santander LF
4. Renato Núñez 1B
5. Jonathan Villar 2B
6. Mark Trumbo DH
7. Pedro Severino C
8. Stevie Wilkerson CF
9. Richie Martin SS

• John Means LHP

Rangers lineup

1. Shin-Soo Choo RF
2. Elvis Andrus SS
3. Willie Calhoun LF
4. Nick Solak DH
5. Rougned Odor 2B
6. Logan Forsythe 1B
7. Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3B
8. Delino DeShields CF
9. Jose Trevino C

• Kolby Allard LHP