Orioles and Rangers lineups (plus notes)

Cedric Mullins is out of the Orioles lineup again this afternoon, though available to pinch-hit, due to a sore hamstring.

Mullins should be able to return Tuesday night after Monday's off-day.

Ryan McKenna is leading off and playing center field.

Austin Hays, with an 11-game hitting streak, is in left field and batting third.

Kelvin Gutiérrez, who homered last night, has a hit in eight of his last nine games since Sept. 17. He's 10-for-30 during that span and starting at third base again today.

Pat Valaika last night had his first RBI since July 31. He's at second base today.

Left-hander John Means had a better feel for his changeup in his last start against the Phillies and shut them out on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He's allowed two runs or fewer in his last five outings and three or fewer in six.

Means faced the Rangers on April 18 and turned in seven scoreless innings with three hits and nine strikeouts.

The Orioles won their 50th game last night and have claimed two of the three in this series.

Each of the Orioles' past four wins has come when scoring three runs or fewer, after they won only twice under the same circumstances this season.

The Orioles and Diamondbacks are tied for the worst record in the majors and dibs on the first pick in the 2022 draft.

The Rangers are starting right-hander Dane Dunning, the Nationals' first-round pick in 2016 out of the University of Florida. He's made 25 appearances, including 23 starts, and is 5-9 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.427 WHIP in 110 innings. He's allowed only 12 home runs.

Dunning started an April 17 game against the Orioles and tossed six scoreless innings with five hits, no walks and five strikeouts. He has a 2.67 ERA and 1.219 WHIP in 13 home games and is 0-7 with a 6.65 ERA and 1.717 WHIP in 12 road games.

Dunning has made three appearances this month since his reinstatement from the COVID-19 injured list, totaling only 5 2/3 innings in that span.

One more loss and the Rangers will reach 100 for the first time since 1973.

If the Orioles win today, the Rangers will have lost their first season series to them since 2017.

For the Orioles
Ryan McKenna CF
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Austin Hays LF
Anthony Santander RF
Trey Mancini 1B
Pedro Severino C
Pat Valaika 2B
Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B
Richie Martin SS

John Means LHP

For the Rangers
Yonny Hernandez 2B
Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS
Adolis García RF
Nathaniel Lowe DH
Andy Ibáñez 1B
Jose Trevino C
Willie Calhoun LF
Charlie Culberson 3B
Leody Taveras CF

Dane Dunning RHP

Bruce Zimmermann, Zac Lowther and Alexander Wells are starting against the Red Sox in a series that begins Tuesday night at Camden Yards. Boston is listing Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi and TBA.

The Orioles are discussing whether to shut down Chris Ellis, who is dealing with arm fatigue.