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The Orioles had an extra day to reflect on their 3-0 loss to the Marlins. Perhaps scoring runs would be a better strategy. They’ll give it a shot.
Baltimore will lead off with Cedric Mullins. He’s hitless in his last 10 at bats, but was due for a bump in the road. Hopefully the former switch hitter can get back on track back at home. Mullins will be flanked in the outfield by Austin Hays and DJ Stewart.
Maikel Franco will bat cleanup and play third base. Ramón Urîas gets the start at second, while Freddy Galvis plays short. Trey Mancini will bat third and play first base, and Ryan Mountcastle will serve as the designated hitter. Pedro Severino will catch starter Jorge López.
The A’s enter tonight’s contest winners of 11 straight. They’ve shut out teams and won games where they give up double digits. It’s been quite the run after an 0-6 stretch to start the season. Oakland’s -2 run differential likens them more to a .500 team (9-10 expected record), but obviously the club has been in the black during the win streak.
López will look to build on his most successful start of the season. The 28-year-old picked up his first win after limiting Texas to two runs over five innings. Both runs came via solo home runs. The entire bullpen should be available after the open date yesterday, but another strong start by López would still go a long way.
Feel free to check out the series preview if you haven’t already. The Orioles have not listed starters for the next two games, but John Means and Matt Harvey would be on pace to start. However, MASN’s Roch Kubatko pointed out today that the Orioles will need a fifth starter before Kremer is eligible to return. The uncertainty could impact how Brandon Hyde lines things up this weekend.
For now, we’ve got López vs. Oakland’s Cole Irvin. Can Baltimore play spoiler to the Athletics’ win streak? The A’s are due for a loss, and Baltimore could use a few more home victories after starting 1-6 at Camden Yards.
Orioles lineup:
- Cedric Mullins CF
- Austin Hays LF
- Trey Mancini 1B
- Maikel Franco 3B
- DJ Stewart RF
- Ryan Mountcastle DH
- Pedro Severino C
- Freddy Galvis SS
- Ramón Urías 2B
Starter: RHP Jorge López
Athletics lineup:
- Ramon Laureano CF
- Jed Lowrie 2B
- Matt Olson 1B
- Matt Chapman 3B
- Mitch Moreland DH
- Sean Murphy C
- Seth Brown LF
- Stephen Piscotty RF
- Elvis Andrus SS
Starter: LHP Cole Irvin