Westburg leading off and McCann catching in Orioles' series opener against Phillies

The Phillies are in town for a three-game series, bringing a 46-22 record that’s the best in the National League. The Orioles are 45-23, second-best in the American League.

A World Series preview? Let’s get past June first.

This is the Phillies’ first visit to Baltimore since 2018, a span of 2,163 days. They haven’t played on consecutive days at Camden Yards since June 15-16, 2015.

The Orioles are 15-16 all-time against the Phillies at Camden Yards and 19-15 on the road. Their last three-game sweep here was in 1997.

Gunnar Henderson is in the cleanup spot tonight. His on-base streak has reached 21 games.

Jordan Westburg is leading off. He has seven game-winning RBIs this season, tied with Juan Soto for the most by a player 25 years old and younger, per STATS. Henderson has six.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter and James McCann is catching. Austin Hays is in left field.

Kyle Bradish has made seven starts and posted a 2.62 ERA and 1.107 WHIP in 34.1 innings. He’s struck out 49 batters.

In his last start, Bradish shut out the Rays on one hit over six innings and retired the last 18 batters. He faced the Phillies last season at Citizens Bank Park and allowed five runs in 6 2/3 innings.

Whit Merrifield is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts against Bradish.

The Yankees lead the Orioles by 2 ½ games after both teams lost yesterday.

The Orioles are 20-8 against teams above .500. They rank third in the majors with a .758 OPS and the Phillies are fourth at .740. They rank third with a 3.10 ERA and the Phillies are second at 3.08.

Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez is 10-1 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.854 WHIP in 13 starts. He posted a 4.18 ERA and 1.416 WHIP last season in 22 starts.

Suárez’s WHIP is the lowest in the majors. His ERA is second-lowest behind Reynaldo López’s 1.69. He’s surrendered only five home runs in 79 2/3 innings, walked 17 batters and struck out 85.

Left-handers are batting .143/.172/.268 and right-handers are batting .190/.253/.283.

Suárez has made two career starts against the Orioles and allowed six runs and 14 hits in 12 innings. Rutschman homered.

The Phillies have lost their last two games but they have a plus-103 run differential that’s the third-highest in baseball. The Orioles are second at plus-107.

The Orioles have allowed only 16 runs in the first inning this season, fewest in the majors, according to STATS. The Phillies have scored the second-most in the first inning with 52.

For the Orioles

Jordan Westburg 3B
Adley Rutschman DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Anthony Santander RF
Austin Hays LF
Jorge Mateo 2B
James McCann C
Cedric Mullins CF

Kyle Bradish RHP