Orioles lineup and notes before today's game at Wrigley Field

Gunnar Henderson is leading off again today at Wrigley Field and Ramón Urías is the designated hitter for the series opener against the Cubs.

The Orioles’ lineup also includes first baseman Ryan O’Hearn in the cleanup spot and Aaron Hicks in center field.

Adley Rutschman is behind the plate. He’s tied with Austin Hays for the team lead in hits with 70 and is first in walks with 46. Sean Murphy and Joe Mauer are the only American League catchers ever to lead their teams in both categories. Mauer did it twice.

Cole Irvin is making his second start since the Orioles put him back in the rotation. He faced the Royals Saturday and allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings.

Irvin’s only career start against the Cubs came on May 22, 2019 with the Phillies at Wrigley Field, when he allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. It was Irvin’s third career game and his first loss.

The Orioles are 43-25, the second-best record in baseball, and five games behind the first-place Rays. They’re 21-12 on the road, trailing only the Braves (22) for most wins.

Yesterday produced the Orioles’ 24^th comeback win, tied with the Angels for most in the majors. The 1979 team holds the record for the most before July with 29, per STATS.

The Orioles haven’t led the majors in comeback wins since producing 48 in 1985.

More from STATS: The Orioles have the highest winning percentage in games decided by three runs or fewer at .643 (27-15), while the Cubs rank 29^th at .333 (11-22).

Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks has made four starts this season and posted a 3.09 ERA and 1.071 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings.

Hendricks is the last remaining member of the 2016 World Series team, the one with Orioles manager Brandon Hyde serving as first base coach. Hendricks returned on May 25 from a shoulder injury that sidelined him since July 5, 2022.

Hendricks has one career start against the Orioles and it lasted two innings. He allowed two runs and five hits.

He was a rookie in 2014 making his eighth career start.

Bud Norris started for the Orioles that day and also lasted two innings. Ubaldo Jiménez replaced him and handled the next four, with only one run allowed, in Chicago’s 7-2 win.

The Cubs rank 14^th in the majors with a 4.14 ERA, and the Orioles are 12th at 4.12. Chicago’s 3.92 rotation ERA is fifth, but the 4.54 bullpen ERA is 24^th.

The strategy for the Orioles seems clear.

The Cubs have won three games in a row and five of six and are in fourth place in the National League Central with a 31-37 record. They’re 18-16 at home, and the only team in the division with a positive run differential (plus-four).

They just completed their first home sweep of the season.

Cody Bellinger was activated from the injured list yesterday.

The Cubs have the lowest winning percentage in interleague games since 2021 at .361 (22-39).

The Orioles swept a two-game series at Wrigley Field last summer, with Jordan Lyles and Spenser Watkins earning the wins. They’re 6-10 all-time against the Cubs, including 2-6 at Camden Yards.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson 3B
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Austin Hays LF
Aaron Hicks CF
Adam Frazier 2B
Ramón Urías DH
Jorge Mateo SS

Cole Irvin LHP

The Cubs haven’t listed Saturday’s starter. Jameson Taillon starts Sunday.

Steve Melewski is handling game coverage in Chicago. I’ll meet the team in Tampa/St. Pete.