Orioles and Rays lineups for third game of series

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Kyle Stowers is out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon after leaving yesterday's game with a sore right elbow.

Cedric Mullins gets the start in center field, with the Orioles trying to claim another series against a division opponent. The worst they can do is a split.

Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter, with Ryan O’Hearn at first base. Jordan Westburg is at second base and Ramón Urías is at third. Colton Cowser, with his right calf wrapped, is in left field.

Austin Hays remains out of the lineup. He came off the bench yesterday, played left field and doubled.

O’Hearn has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games, batting .326 (15-for-46) with two doubles, three home runs, five RBIs, two walks and nine runs scored.

Anthony Santander has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games since May 28, batting .341 (14-for-41) with two doubles, four home runs, seven RBIs and four walks.

Westburg’s triple yesterday was his fourth, tied with Gunnar Henderson for the team lead.

Grayson Rodriguez is working on an extra day of rest after limiting the Blue Jays to one earned run (two total) in 6 2/3 innings. He’s 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA and 0.983 WHIP in three career starts against the Rays.

Taylor Walls is 1-for-2 with a home run. Jose Siri is 2-for-2 with a double.

Right-handed batters are hitting .190 against Rodriguez’s cutter this month after hitting .389 before May, per STATS.

Yesterday’s 5-0 win extended the Orioles’ franchise-record streak of avoiding a series loss against a division opponent to 21 dating back to April 2023. The Orioles are 15-6 against the American League East.

Overall, the Orioles have won seven of their last 10 games, eight of 12 and 12 of 16.

Tampa Bay right-hander Zack Littell has registered a 3.56 ERA and 1.288 WHIP in 12 starts, and he’s surrendered only seven home runs in 68 1/3 innings.

Littell faced the Orioles last Sunday and allowed three runs and 11 hits in six innings. Henderson hit a leadoff home run.

Henderson is 4-for-7 with two homers against Littell, who has a 3.29 ERA in four games (two starts) versus the Orioles.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 2B
Colton Cowser LF
Ramón Urías 3B
Cedric Mullins CF

Grayson Rodriguez RHP

For the Rays

Yandy Díaz 1B
Brandon Lowe 2B
Randy Arozarena LF
Josh Lowe DH
Jonny DeLuca CF
Richie Palacios RF
Taylor Walls SS
Ben Rortvedt C
José Caballero 3B

Zack Littell RHP