Mountcastle out of Orioles lineup for series finale in Toronto

The Orioles are reduced today to trying to avoid a sweep in their three-game series in Toronto. Not how they wanted it to play out.

The Blue Jays have won the first two games by the same 6-3 score, and they lead the Orioles by seven games in the wild card race. The Orioles trail Seattle by five for the final spot.

Eight losses in the last 12 games have put the Orioles in a precarious position.

Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup after being hit yesterday above the left elbow by a José Berríos pitch. Jesús Aguilar is playing first base.

Gunnar Henderson is the third baseman and cleanup hitter today. Henderson is 20-for-58 (.345) with a .973 OPS, six doubles, one triple, two home runs and 12 RBIs in 16 games.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter and Terrin Vavra is the second baseman.

Henderson, Rutschman and Vavra each had two hits yesterday to represent the rookies. Henderson drove in two runs and Vavra accounted for the other RBI.

Austin Hays is back in the lineup in left field.

Dean Kremer must be the stopper today. He’s allowed seven earned runs and eight total, along with 19 hits, in his last three starts over 16 1/3 innings. He’s surrendered only one home run in his last eight starts, and none in his last five.

Kremer has faced the Blue Jays twice this season, including one start, and allowed four earned runs (five total) and 13 hits in 12 1/3 innings. He owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.632 WHIP in five career appearances.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 4-for-11 with three home runs against Kremer. Bo Bichette is 1-for-10.

All-Star right-hander Alek Manoah is 14-7 with a 2.43 ERA and 0.996 WHIP in 28 starts. He’s hit 15 batters to lead the American League.

Manoah has allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last five starts. He held the Orioles to one run and three hits in eight innings on Sept. 7 at Camden Yards.

This is Manoah’s fourth start against the Orioles in 2022. He has a 2.92 ERA and 0.932 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings.

Mountcastle is 5-for-18 with two doubles and two home runs against Manoah. Rutschman is 3-for-10 with a double and home run.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman DH
Anthony Santander RF
Gunnar Henderson 3B
Jesús Aguilar 1B
Terrin Vavra 2B
Austin Hays LF
Jorge Mateo SS
Robinson Chirinos C

Dean Kremer RHP

For the Blue Jays
George Springer DH
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Bo Bichette SS
Matt Chapman 3B
Teoscar Hernández RF
Raimel Tapia CF
Danny Jansen C
Santiago Espinal 2B
Whit Merrifield LF

Alek Manoah RHP