SEATTLE – Ryan Mountcastle is out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon in the series finale in Seattle after returning to it last night.
Adley Rutschman also is on the bench, as the Orioles go for the sweep.
Heston Kjerstad is batting second and serving as the designated hitter.
Colton Cowser is in left field. Jordan Westburg is at third base, with Jorge Mateo at second.
Corbin Burnes seeks his 14th quality start. He faced the Mariners on May 19 and allowed an unearned run with 11 strikeouts in six innings.
Burnes is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners. He allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings at T-Mobile Park.
Josh Rojas is 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Burnes, who hasn’t pitched since last Thursday.
Burnes has thrown a strike on 65.2 percent of his first pitches this season, compared to 59.3 in 2023, per STATS.
The Orioles hold a season-high two-game lead over the Yankees in the division. They’ve won six of their last seven.
Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller has posted a 1.99 ERA and 0.865 WHIP in nine home starts and a 6.28 ERA and 1.279 WHIP in eight road starts. He faced the Orioles on May 17 at Camden Yards and allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Gunnar Henderson hit a leadoff home run.
Miller has made three career starts against the Orioles and allowed 10 runs (eight earned) and 17 hits in 15 1/3 innings. Anthony Santander is 3-for-7 with a homer.
The Mariners are batting .216, worst in the majors. The league average is .242.
For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Heston Kjerstad DH
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Colton Cowser LF
Cedric Mullins CF
Jorge Mateo 2B
James McCann C
Corbin Burnes RHP
The Athletics are starting left-hander Hogan Harris and right-handers Luis Medina and Mitch Spence in the three-game weekend series in Oakland. Albert Suárez is confirmed for the Orioles on Friday night.
For the Mariners
J.P. Crawford SS
Mitch Garver DH
Cal Raleigh C
Luke Raley LF
Julio Rodríguez CF
Ty France 1B
Josh Rojas 3B
Mitch Haniger RF
Ryan Bliss 2B
Bryce Miller RHP
Update: Manager Brandon Hyde said he's just easing Mountcastle back after the first baseman's recent illness.
"Day game after night," Hyde said. "Plus I'd like to get the lefties in there. Give Kjerstad a start, Cowser. And Santander in right field."
The Orioles are starting Suárez, Cade Povich and Grayson Rodriguez in Oakland.