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

The Orioles and Rangers are a combined 98 games below .500, and both starters tonight have a plus-9 ERA.

This isn’t exactly the homestretch of a playoff race we’re dealing with, here. On the flip side, it’s the best opportunity for the Orioles to get a series win in...well, a while.

The Orioles are going with Zac Lowther, who’s 0-2 with a 9.61 ERA. He scuffled in his last two starts against the Red Sox and Blue Jays, but was solid in the outing before that against Kansas City, allowing one run on three hits in six innings.

He’s also the Orioles’ 22nd-ranked prospect, so there’s long-term interest in hoping he finishes the season with a pair of strong performances.

Texas will give the ball to Glenn Otto, who’s 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA. Acquired midseason in the Joey Gallo trade, Otto has made four starts. He threw five shutout innings in the first one, but has allowed 17 earned runs in 11.1 innings since.

Rangers lineup

1. Leody Taveras CF

2. Isiah Kiner-Falefa DH

3. Andy Ibanez 3B

4. Adolis Garcia RF

5. Nathaniel Lowe 1B

6. Nick Solak 2B

7. DJ Peters LF

8. Jonah Heim C

9. Yonny Hernandez SS

RHP Glenn Otto

Orioles lineup

1. Cedric Mullins CF

2. Ryan Mountcastle 1B

3. Austin Hays LF

4. Trey Mancini DH

5. Ryan McKenna RF

6. Jahmai Jones 2B

7. Richie Martin SS

8. Kelvin Gutierrez 3B

9. Austin Wynns C

LHP Zac Lowther