Orioles and Red Sox lineups (and notes - updated)

The Orioles are in Williamsport, Pa. tonight for the Little League Classic and their first appearance in ESPN’s primetime game in four years.

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz has joined the team as its 27^th man, an unexpected perk considering this isn’t a doubleheader.

Diaz struck out in his major league debut on Aug. 2 after a temporary promotion at the trade deadline.

The Orioles are 2 ½ games back for the last wild card spot. The Twins are one game ahead of the Orioles, and the White Sox are a half-game behind.

There’s a traffic jam in this race.

Yesterday’s 4-3 loss was the Orioles’ sixth in their last 10 games and third in four. They’ve scored 13 runs in their last seven defeats.

Cedric Mullins has returned to the lineup tonight. He didn’t play yesterday after fouling a ball off his foot Friday night.

Kyle Stowers is in left field and batting fifth after recording his first career multi-RBI game yesterday on two groundouts.

Adley Rutschman has reached base in 16 of 17 games this month, slashing .317/.449/.567 (19-for-60) with six doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs, 16 runs scored and 16 walks.

Rutschman’s nine defensive runs saved are tied for the team lead and rank second among catchers, per Sports Info Solutions.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jorge Mateo (27) and Mullins (25) could become the first teammates to rank first and second in the American League in stolen bases, going back to 1980, since Marquis Grissom and Delino DeShields with the 1992 Expos and Adalberto Mondesi and Whit Merrifield with the 2020 Royals.

Also per Elias, Ryan Mountcastle’s 55 career home runs are the most by an Orioles player within two years of his debut. Hall of Famer Eddie Murray hit 54.

Dean Kremer started against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Aug. 11 and allowed four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six batters.

Kremer is 0-3 with a 9.45 ERA and 1.725 WHIP in three career starts against Boston. He’s allowed 14 runs and 18 hits in 13 1/3 innings.

The Orioles have outscored their opponents 325-273 in 69 games since June 1 after being outscored 190-233 in their first 51.

Right-hander Nick Pivetta tossed seven scoreless innings with one hit allowed Tuesday night in Pittsburgh to lower his ERA to 4.28 in 24 starts. He faced the Orioles twice in May and surrendered four runs and 11 hits in 10 1/3 innings.

Pivetta is 7-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.175 WHIP in 10 career starts against the Orioles. Mullins is 8-for-21 with two doubles and a home run. Mountcastle is 5-for-18 with a double and two home runs.

Austin Hays is 0-for-13 with five strikeouts. He’s batting seventh tonight.

Hays is two hits shy of 300 for his career.

Kiké Hernández hit a big two-run homer yesterday and has registered an RBI in a career-high five consecutive games.

Alex Verdugo is 10-for-22 during a five-game hitting streak. He’s batting .434 (23-for-53) over his last 14 games since Aug. 5.

Christian Arroyo’s nine hits over his last four games are a career high.

First baseman Eric Hosmer is out of the lineup after leaving yesterday’s game with lower-back discomfort. Left fielder Tommy Pham has returned to it.

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

Dean Kremer RHP

For the Red Sox
Tommy Pham LF
Alex Verdugo RF
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B
J.D. Martinez DH
Christian Arroyo 2B
Enrique Hernández CF
Bobby Dalbec 1B
Kevin Plawecki C

Nick Pivetta RHP

Gunnar Henderson is playing second base again today for Triple-A Norfolk. Drew Rom is starting.

Catcher Maverick Handley hit his 10^th home run today with Double-A Bowie. Colton Cowser went 3-for-4 with a walk from the leadoff spot and is batting .327 with a 1.020 OPS.

Here are the starters for the series against the White Sox at Camden Yards:

Tuesday: Austin Voth vs. Lucas Giolito
Wednesday: Spenser Watkins vs. Lance Lynn
Thursday: Jordan Lyles vs. Johnny Cueto

Steve Melewski is handling pre-game and game coverage today for MASNsports.com.

Update: The White Sox were rained out today, so Dylan Cease starts Tuesday, Giolito Wednesday and Lynn Thursday.