Orioles and Astros lineups

The Orioles are trying for their second three-game sweep in Houston in two seasons.

The rotation has tied a season high with four quality starts in a row, posting a 1.26 ERA during that stretch. The ERA is 2.25 in the last 11 games.

The Astros have been held to one run in the first two games. Kyle Bradish and Dean Kremer have combined for 15 2/3 innings, after Jordan Lyles completed seven innings on Thursday.

It really does start with starting pitching.

Only 1 ½ games separate the Orioles from the last wild card spot. But they’re facing Justin Verlander today.

Verlander, 39, is 16-3 with a 1.87 ERA and 0.846 WHIP in 23 starts. He’s surrendered only 12 home runs in 149 innings.

Verlander’s streak of quality starts has reached 10. He tossed six scoreless and hitless innings, with no walks and 10 strikeouts, in his last outing against the Twins.

His last loss was June 18. And he’s coming off Tommy John surgery.

It’s pretty remarkable.

Verlander is 10-5 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.184 WHIP in 22 career starts against the Orioles.

Rougned Odor is 6-for-38 (.158) with two home runs against Verlander.

Robinson Chirinos is 4-for-14 with a double and two home runs. He’s catching today.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter. Anthony Santander is in left field and Austin Hays is in right.

Pretty much the regular setup in the infield, with Ramón Urías at third base, Jorge Mateo the shortstop and Odor at second.

Austin Voth has made four starts this month and allowed seven runs in 22 innings.

Trey Mancini is batting fifth and playing left field.

The Orioles can move nine games above .500 for the first time since May 20, 2017.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman DH
Anthony Santander LF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Austin Hays RF
Ramón Urías 3B
Rougned Odor 2B
Jorge Mateo SS
Robinson Chirinos C

Austin Voth RHP

For the Astros
Jose Altuve 2B
Jeremy Peña SS
Alex Bregman 3B
Kyle Tucker RF
Trey Mancini LF
Yuli Gurriel 1B
David Hensley DH
Mauricio Dubón CF
Martín Maldonado C

Justin Verlander RHP