Lakins making rare start tonight in Houston

The Orioles have decided on Travis Lakins Sr. as tonight's starter against the Astros in Houston.

The mystery ended around noon with the team announcing it.

Lakins, celebrating his 27th birthday, is making his fourth major league start and first since Sept. 26, 2019 with the Red Sox. None of his starts have lasted more than two innings and he worked a career-high four in relief Thursday in Buffalo.

Pretty much indicates an opener, with Lakins perhaps followed by rookie left-hander Alexander Wells.

Lakins is 1-4 with a 5.81 ERA with a 1.367 WHIP in 23 games. He's averaging 4.8 walks per nine innings, but impressed Thursday by holding the Blue Jays to one hit in four scoreless frames. He hasn't issued a walk in four of his six appearances this month.

The Orioles walked a season-high 10 batters last night, three with the bases loaded, but won 9-7.

Lakins has made two career relief appearances against the Astros and allowed four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Two of those runs came in 2 1/3 innings at Minute Maid Park.

Wells made his major league debut Saturday with two scoreless innings and was a consideration for tonight's assignment.

No word on whether a roster move is coming after the Orioles used six relievers last night to cover 5 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Ryan Mountcastle has been on a tear this month, batting .352/.410/.681 with three doubles, nine home runs, 24 RBIs and eight walks in 100 plate appearances.

No rookie in the American League has more hits (32), home runs and RBIs, or a higher average, slugging percentage or OPS (1.091).

Austin Hays is 9-for-22 with a double and home run in his last six games.

Last night marked the fourth-longest nine-inning game in Orioles history at 4 hours, 19 minutes. The win improved the Orioles to 2-22 in their last 24 road games.

Cedric Mullins is tied with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for most hits in the AL with 94.

Astros right-hander José Urquidy faced the Orioles on Wednesday and shut them out on three hits in seven innings. He's allowed five runs in his last three starts covering 21 innings, walking three batters and striking out 19.

The Orioles are 0-5-1 in their last six series. They have a chance tonight for their first series win since June 4-6 against the Indians.