Orioles and Red Sox lineups, plus notes

The Orioles will make their seventh attempt tonight to get back to .500 for the first time since April 10 as they open a four-game series against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

As long as the weather cooperates, of course.

Rain is falling and the tarp is on the field, but pitchers aren't letting it interrupt their bullpen sessions or throwing in the outfield.

Austin Hays is starting in right field tonight, with Ryan Mountcastle in left and Pat Valaika playing first base. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter.

Pedro Severino is batting cleanup, followed by Maikel Franco.

Matt Harvey has lowered his ERA to 4.06 and WHIP to 1.290 in six starts and 31 innings. He's surrendered only two home runs.

His first two starts as an Oriole came against the Red Sox and he allowed a combined six runs and 13 hits in 9 2/3 innings. Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer.

Outfielder Anthony Santander, on the injured list with a sprained ankle, is "very close to starting baseball activities," according to manager Brandon Hyde.

"He's walking, he's jogging now and he's really close to getting going from a baseball standpoint," Hyde said. "Once he kind of gets started there, then it's about getting him at-bats and getting in game shape. So hopefully he's a week, two weeks away."

The reports also are favorable on Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler, who's on the injured list with right shoulder tendinitis.

"Sceroler is doing well, throwing well," Hyde said. "I think he had a side, possibly, today. He's progressing with his arm, also, and both of those guys are headed in the right direction."

Former Orioles minor leaguer Eduardo Rodriguez, starting tonight for the Red Sox, is 4-0 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.036 WHIP in five games after missing the 2020 season, and he's averaging one walk and 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

His first start came at Camden Yards on April 8 and he allowed three runs and four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in five innings. Mountcastle and Severino hit home runs.

The Orioles swept a three-game series in Boston and the Red Sox swept a three-game series at Camden Yards.

The team announced that it will host a pregame ceremony tonight at 6:42 p.m. to recognize John Means, who threw the sixth no-hitter in franchise history Wednesday against the Mariners.

Chris Holt, the Orioles' pitching coach/director of pitching, marveled at the accomplishment and how thoroughly Means dominated the Mariners.

"You're always surprised by a no-hitter or a near-perfect game," Holt said in today's Zoom call. "He's been amazing with how he's been consistent with how he's approaching his outings, with how he's attacking hitters consistently. I think we saw just a notch above that in the no-hitter, obviously. Surprised at an amazing performance? No, he's been very consistent, but a nice treat and what an amazing performance that was, and the first of its kind."

The Orioles are hoping that pitching also is contagious, that it isn't just hitting. Hyde believes in it.

"When you have competitive guys in your clubhouse, I think guys try to stay with the guys that are doing well, and so from a rotation standpoint I think you can feed off each other," Hyde said. "And you can compete internally, too, a little bit of how guys are throwing. You're obviously pulling for each other big-time, but you want to keep up with guys that are doing well. I've definitely seen pitching be contagious.

"Also, you watch somebody, the way they pitch against a certain team, and you can try to emulate that, as well. You can see how they're having success, see what doesn't work, what does work. Guys are paying attention. Yeah, I think they can feed off each other on the mound, as well."

The bullpen, obviously, is fresh tonight with Means going the distance and no game played yesterday.

"I think it's huge," Hyde said. "We were in good shape two days ago. Guys were pretty rested. I had a couple guys down for that day of Means' start, but to get as many breathers as possible right now I think is fantastic.

"It was really nice it came before an off-day to give even an extra day, and our guys are ready to go."

Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Keegan Akin remains tonight's starter in Jacksonville. The Orioles need a spot starter on Saturday and Hyde said this afternoon that he's waiting to make the announcement because he's unsure of the status of tonight's game.

Tonight's forecast calls for a 77 percent chance of rain at first pitch with the temperature at 55 degrees.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini DH
Pedro Severino C
Maikel Franco 3B
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Freddy Galvis SS
Pat Valaika 1B
Ramón Urías 2B
 
Matt Harvey RHP

For the Red Sox
Marwin Gonzalez 2B
Alex Verdugo CF
J.D. Martinez DH
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B
Christian Vázquez C
Hunter Renfroe RF
Franchy Cordero LF
Bobby Dalbec 1B

Eduardo Rodriguez LHP