McCann selected as Orioles' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award, new-look lineup elevates Mullins

BOSTON – Major League Baseball announced today that catcher James McCann is the Orioles’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented annually to the player who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”

The Orioles will recognize McCann in a special on-field ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The following comes from the club’s press release:

“Since joining the Orioles prior to the 2023 season, McCann has emerged as a cornerstone of community support in Baltimore, earning him a nomination for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. His unwavering dedication to community service is a family affair, with McCann, his wife Jessica, and their twin boys actively contributing to their communities year-round. The McCann family donated 50 pairs of shoes to Church of the City’s Wrap Around Closet in Nashville, Tenn. supporting children in foster care.

“Earlier this season, the Orioles announced their adoption of Harlem Park Elementary Middle School, aiming to foster a lasting relationship and support students from pre-k all the way through their entry into the workforce. McCann eagerly embraced this partnership, actively engaging with Harlem Park students and staff at Friday home game batting practices, proudly donning a Harlem Park-branded t-shirt. His involvement extended to the classroom as well, where he visited PE classes to teach baseball skills and inspire students to pursue their dreams with perseverance. To further support Harlem Park, McCann and Jessica provided Harlem Park students with essential items such as backpacks, clothing, and shoes for the new school year, underscoring their dedication to fostering the growth and success of Baltimore’s youth.

“The McCann family also has a profound connection to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), having experienced it firsthand with their twin boys born prematurely. Understanding the emotional challenges faced by NICU parents, they have dedicated themselves to supporting local NICUs by visiting hospitals, bringing gifts, and offering encouragement to families in need.

“Even with his demanding schedule, McCann remains actively involved in supporting organizations virtually, such as by creating a compelling video for Meals on Wheels to promote their 'Night of A Million Meals' event.”

Rookie Cade Povich is making his 13^th major league start tonight and first at Fenway Park. He faced the Red Sox on Aug. 17 and allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Povich is trying to hold onto his rotation spot with Grayson Rodriguez nearing an injury rehab assignment.

Cedric Mullins is batting second tonight for the first time this season. He hasn’t hit above fifth in the order, but he’s posted a .429 average in his last nine games.

Jackson Holliday, who made his major league debut in Boston, is on the bench, with Livan Soto making his first start. Coby Mayo is at third base.

Colton Cowser is in left field. His 10 RBIs and five extra-base hits in his first three career games at Fenway Park are the most by an Orioles player in franchise history per STATS.

The bullpen hasn’t allowed a home run to 113 consecutive batters faced since Aug. 30, the second-longest active streak in the majors behind the Rockies’ 139 per STATS. This is the club’s second-longest streak in 2024 after 168 straight between May and June.

The Orioles are a half-game behind the first-place Yankees. They’ve gone 40-29 on the road, 13-9 in series openers on the road and 7-3 against the Red Sox. They swept a three-game series at Fenway Park in April by a combined score of 23-10.

The Orioles, who can’t clinch a playoff berth earlier than Saturday in Detroit, lead the majors by averaging 1.54 home runs per road game. The total ranks second in club history behind the 1.68 in 1996, per STATS. Their .442 slugging percentage on the road also leads the majors.

Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello is 12-7 with a 4.75 ERA and 1.380 WHIP in 26 starts. He faced the Orioles on April 9 in Boston and allowed one earned run (three total) in 5 1/3 innings, on May 28 in Baltimore and allowed three runs with seven strikeouts in five innings, and on Aug. 17 in Baltimore and held them to one run and two hits in six innings.

Anthony Santander is 1-for-12 lifetime against Bello and Adley Rutschman is 1-for-10 with a double.

Mullins is 4-for-9 and Cowser is 3-for-8 with two doubles and four RBIs. Eloy Jiménez, who’s the designated hitter tonight, is 3-for-3 with a double.

The Red Sox are in third place in the American League East with a 72-71 record and have lost 11 of their last 16 games. They’re 33-39 at home.

They’re nine games under .500 since the break, in part because of a 5.28 ERA that’s on pace to be the highest in club history in the second half.

Boston hasn’t swept a home series of three or more games since July 2023.

Masataka Yoshida owns a career .394 batting average against the Orioles, the highest among active players with a minimum 50 at-bats.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Cedric Mullins CF
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Eloy Jiménez DH
Colton Cowser LF
Coby Mayo 3B
Livan Soto 2B

Cade Povich LHP

For the Red Sox

Jarren Duran LF
Rafael Devers 3B
Rob Refsnyder RF
Tyler O’Neill DH
Romy Gonzalez 2B
Connor Wong 1B
Trevor Story SS
Danny Jansen C
Ceddanne Rafaela CF

Brayan Bello RHP