The Orioles will try for their third series sweep in the last five today with Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser and Ryan O’Hearn on the bench.
Jordan Westburg is leading off and playing second base. Gunnar Henderson is the designated hitter. Coby Mayo gets another start at first base after his first career multi-hit game yesterday. Luis Vázquez makes his first Orioles start at shortstop.
Another change: Scott Blewett is the opener, presumably followed by Cade Povich. Blewett hasn’t allowed an earned run in eight relief innings with the Orioles. Today marks his second start in the majors, the other earlier this year with the Braves.
Povich has a 5.46 ERA and 1.525 WHIP in 12 starts. He’s allowed five earned runs in two of his last three starts totaling 9 1/3 innings.
Povich has never faced the Angels.
The Orioles have won 10 of their last 14 games. They’re 6 ½ games out of the Wild Card.
Los Angeles left-hander Yusei Kikuchi has registered a 2.92 ERA and 1.468 WHIP in 14 starts. His 41 walks in 77 innings lead the majors.
Kikuchi tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit allowed against the Athletics in his last start. He’s made 15 career appearances (12 starts) against the Orioles and posted a 4.80 ERA and 1.401 WHIP.
Adley Rutschman is 9-for-26 with a double and three home runs against Kikuchi. Ramón Laureano is 7-for-23 with two doubles.
Cedric Mullins is 2-for-17 with six strikeouts.
Left-handers hit .217 with a .639 OPS in Kikuchi’s career. Right-handers hit .267 with a .799 OPS.
For the Orioles
Jordan Westburg 2B
Ramón Urías 3B
Gunnar Henderson DH
Ramón Laureano RF
Gary Sánchez C
Cedric Mullins CF
Coby Mayo 1B
Dylan Carlson LF
Luis Vázquez SS
Scott Blewett RHP
