Orioles and Blue Jays lineups in Game 162

The Orioles end the 2021 season today in Toronto with the opportunity to play spoilers, keeping the Blue Jays out of the playoffs with a victory.

It's that simple.

Rookie Bruce Zimmermann is making his 13th major league start and 14th appearance, and his second since coming off the 60-day injured list. He held the Red Sox to one run and two hits over four innings on Tuesday.

Zimmermann has never faced the Blue Jays.

The Baltimore native hasn't allowed a hit in 36 consecutive two-strike counts, the second-longest active streak in the majors. Opponents on the season are batting .145 (18-for-124) against him with two strikes.

Trey Mancini is playing in his 147th game today after missing the 2020 season and beating Stage 3 colon cancer. The comeback story continues to amaze and inspire.

Tyler Nevin gets another start in left field. Austin Hays is in right.

Shortstop Richie Martin has hit safely in five of his six games against the Blue Jays this season, batting .313 (5-for-16) with a double and RBI.

An Orioles loss and Diamondbacks win would leave the teams with identical 52-110 records and give Baltimore the first pick in next year's draft if the rules stay the same in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Manager Brandon Hyde is celebrating his 48th birthday today.

Jays left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu is 13-10 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.220 WHIP in 30 starts. He tossed six scoreless innings on Sept. 6 at Yankee Stadium and allowed 15 runs and 19 hits in his next three starts over 8 2/3 innings. He surrendered five home runs.

Ryu had a 3.56 ERA and 1.166 WHIP in 17 first-half starts and has registered a 5.65 ERA and 1.301 WHIP in 13 starts after the All-Star break. He's faced the Orioles five times this summer and allowed 16 runs and 26 hits in 26 2/3 innings.

Hays is 5-for-13 with a double and home run lifetime against Ryu.

Danny Jansen has hit eight home runs in his last 23 games after totaling three in his previous 46. Twelve of his 28 RBIs this season have come against the Orioles.

The Jays reached 90 wins yesterday for the seventh time in franchise history and first since 2015 (93-69). They're 13-5 against the Orioles.

Toronto has hit 258 home runs to lead the majors, the most in franchise history. They totaled 257 in 2010.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini DH
Pedro Severino C
Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B
Tyler Nevin LF
Pat Valaika 2B
Richie Martin SS

Bruce Zimmermann LHP

For the Blue Jays
George Springer CF
Marcus Semien 2B
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Bo Bichette SS
Teoscar Hernández LF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. DH
Santiago Espinal 3B
Danny Jansen C
Randal Grichuk RF

Hyun Jin Ryu LHP

These teams will meet again on opening day March 31 at Camden Yards.

Important item in today's Orioles' notes:

A big THANK YOU and deserving hat tip to Orioles Head Athletic Trainer Brian Ebel and his staff (Mark Shires, Pat Wesley, Chris Poole, Kyle (Spice) McClure, Kyle Corrick, etc.) for helping navigate and getting us through a 162-game season safely.