Stewart waiting for more chances against left-handers

BOSTON - Marked absent in the lineup for yesterday's doubleheader against a pair of Red Sox left-handed starters, Orioles rookie outfielder DJ Stewart should resurface in the final homestand that also brings the 2018 season to a merciful conclusion.

The Astros are starting right-handers Gerrit Cole tonight and Justin Verlander on Friday. The last two spots could be bullpen games. The Orioles certainly can relate.

Stewart has amassed only three plate appearances against left-handers, drawing a walk and scoring a run, since the Orioles selected his contract earlier this month. He's posted a higher average against them in the minors the past two seasons.

The 2015 first-round pick hit .264/.377/.406 against lefties at Triple-A Norfolk this season and .225/.311/.381 versus right-handers, and .291/.350/.433 against lefties last summer at Double-A Bowie and .272/.389/.503 against right-handers.

"He's handled himself well against them," manager Buck Showalter said. "I've watched a lot. It's more an interest in getting everybody involved. We're keeping him engaged.

"I like what I've seen from him against left-handed pitching, not only here but in his career, if you look at it. He's got a chance to defend himself against them. I think we've got a pretty good feel for it."

Showalter put Adam Jones in left field yesterday and Joey Rickard in right against David Price. Rickard played left field and Massachusetts native John Andreoli started in right in the nightcap.

Stewart didn't bat until the Red Sox brought in right-hander Hector Velázquez in the seventh inning in Game 2. He isn't going to arrive in the majors and immediately begin pushing for more starts.

"Of course, you always want the opportunities to show what you can do. You can't do anything if you don't get the opportunities, but I'm looking forward to whatever he wants me to do, just to contribute in any way," Stewart said.

"I think that I can hit lefties. I've been kind of that way my entire career. I kind of stay shorter. It's like a mindset. For whatever reason, I've always been able to hit them a little bit better because I think I stay smaller, try to hit it over the shortstop's head as opposed to getting too big. But I'm here to help the team in any way I can.

"If that's platooning right now, we have other guys who can hit lefties just as well and they're right-handed hitters. I understand it. But you always look forward to the opportunity anytime that you can get in the game and contribute."

Stewart received his promotion to the majors despite carrying a .235 average. He had 12 hits in his last 41 at-bats.

"He wasn't having those struggles all year. For two-thirds of the year it was just, we'll see him in September," Showalter said.

"I've seen a lot of guys when they come up here, the pitching's around the plate more, the lights are better, supposedly the umpires are better, a lot of the travel is better and your body feels better. They actually kind of do better if they've got the skill level.

"I'm hoping that's the case."

Cole is 15-5 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.034 WHIP in 31 starts this season, and he's averaging 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He's never faced the Orioles in the regular season.

Jace Peterson is 3-for-7 against him.

David Hess makes his 19th and final start in 2018. Martin Maldonado is the only current Astros player to face him, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.