Kjerstad returns to Orioles lineup vs. Guardians (with Kremer update)

The losing streak has reached five games and the Orioles are one more defeat away from back-to-back sweeps and the third in 2024.

The Orioles haven’t been swept in consecutive series since May 13-18, 2022 against the Tigers and Yankees, also the last time they lost six games in a row.

Heston Kjerstad is in left field and batting seventh. Cedric Mullins is in center and Anthony Santander is in right. Colton Cowser, who homered last night, isn’t in the lineup.

Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter. Jorge Mateo is starting at second base, so his left hand and wrist are fine.

Gunnar Henderson has reached base in 32 consecutive games.

Santander has hit 12 of his 21 homers this month, tied for the most in June in club history.

Ryan Mountcastle leads the Orioles with 21 doubles, matching his total from 2023.

Grayson Rodriguez needs to be the stopper tonight, with the rotation failing in its last eight attempts to record a quality start. He’s 8-3 with a 3.82 ERA and 1.288 WHIP in 13 games and is averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Rodriguez tied his season high with seven runs allowed over five innings Friday night in Houston. He’s struck out 24 batters this month and walked four.

Rodriguez faced the Guardians once last season and allowed two runs in five innings.

Also, Rodriguez faced 221 left-handed hitters last year and struck out 50. He’s faced 152 this season and fanned 47.

The Guardians, winners of seven games in a row, are starting right-hander Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco has posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.385 WHIP in 13 appearances. His last start was his best with one run and four hits allowed with seven strikeouts in six innings against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles don’t have a lot of success against Carrasco. He’s faced them seven times and registered a 2.06 ERA and 0.992 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings.

James McCann, on the bench tonight, is 6-for-33 (.182) with a double, home run and 13 strikeouts.

Steven Kwan has posted a .422 AVG and .612 slugging percentage on fastballs this season and he has made contact on 96.7 percent of his swings, per STATS.

The Guardians have the lowest bullpen ERA in the majors at 2.34.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Heston Kjerstad LF
Cedric Mullins CF
Jorge Mateo 2B

Grayson Rodriguez RHP

The Rangers are starting Jon Gray, Max Scherzer, Michael Lorenzen and Andrew Heaney in the four-game series that begins Thursday night at Camden Yards.

For the Guardians

Steven Kwan LF
Andrés Giménez 2B
José Ramírez DH
Daniel Schneemann RF
Tyler Freeman CF
Jhonkensy Noel 1B
Gabriel Arias 3B
Brayan Rocchio SS
Austin Hedges C

Carlos Carrasco RHP

* Dean Kremer is making his third rehab start Thursday at Triple-A Norfolk.