Left-handed bats return to Orioles' lineup tonight

The Orioles will try to win tonight for only the fourth time in 12 games and to keep alive their chance to claim their first series.

Jackson Holliday and Heston Kjerstad have returned to the lineup. Kjerstad is in left field and batting sixth. Holliday is at second base and batting eighth ahead of third baseman Ramón Urías.

Jordan Westburg takes a seat. He’s hitless in his last 20 at-bats to lower his average to .196 with a .631 OPS.

Cedric Mullins is batting cleanup. Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter.

Dean Kremer has an 8.16 ERA and 1.674 WHIP in three starts. He’s gone 5 1/3, 4 1/3 and 4 2/3 innings.

The rotation’s 5.54 ERA is the highest in the majors.

Kremer is 0-3 with a 6.50 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in four career starts against the Guardians. Steven Kwan is 4-for-8 with a double.

The Orioles are 0-8 when scoring three runs or fewer and 1-9 when being outhit.

A nugget from STATS: Kjerstad has seen 40.7 percent of balls in play go to the left side of the field, including four of his eight hits.

Orioles batters have drawn a walk in 94 consecutive games dating back to July 2, 2024, the longest active streak in the majors and longest for Baltimore since a 116-game run from June 3, 1995–April 5, 1996.

Right-hander Gavin Williams, the 23^rd-overall pick in the 2021 draft out of East Carolina, has allowed five earned runs in 13 innings in his three starts. He’s walked six batters and struck out 14.

Williams made his only start against the Orioles on Aug. 4, 2024 in Cleveland and allowed six runs and eight hits with eight strikeouts in four innings. Holliday and Gunnar Henderson, who returns to the leadoff spot tonight, homered in the fourth.

The introduction of a sweeper has been key for Williams, with the pitch producing a 40 percent whiff percentage.

Williams has a career 4.65 ERA in 18 home starts and 3.26 ERA in 17 starts on the road.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Cedric Mullins CF
Tyler O’Neill RF
Heston Kjerstad LF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Jackson Holliday 2B
Ramón Urías 3B

Dean Kremer RHP