Orioles lineup for series opener in D.C.

WASHINGTON – Ramón Urías gets the start tonight at third base with Jordan Westburg at second to begin a two-game series against the Nationals in D.C.

Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter. Colton Cowser is in left field, with Heston Kjerstad on the bench.

Cedric Mullins is batting eighth.

Corbin Burnes suffered his first loss with the Orioles in his last start after allowing two runs in six innings against the Yankees. He has a 2.61 ERA and 0.919 WHIP in seven games.

Burnes has made five career appearances against the Nats but only two starts, and he’s allowed six runs and 11 hits in 14 2/3 innings. He started in D.C. on July 31, 2023 and surrendered two runs in six innings, and again Sept. 16 in Milwaukee and allowed four runs with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Joey Meneses is 4-for-6 with a double and home run.

Burnes has begun his Orioles career with seven straight starts of at least five innings and three runs or fewer allowed. The last pitcher to begin his Orioles career with seven straight starts like this was Jeremy Guthrie (11) in 2007, per STATS.

The Orioles have won four games in a row, six of seven, seven of nine, 11 of 15 and 15 of 20. They have the best record in the American League at 23-11 and second-best in the majors behind the 25-11 Phillies.

The Orioles have gone 102 consecutive regular-season series without being swept.

Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams is 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA and 1.168 WHIP in six starts and he still hasn’t surrendered a home run in 31 2/3 innings. The Orioles lead the majors with 54, tied with the 2012 club for the most through the first 34 games in franchise history.

Williams has allowed only two runs over his last three starts, covering 16 innings. He’s made one career start against the Orioles, back in 2017 with the Pirates, and held them to one run and three hits in six innings. Chris Davis homered off him.

James McCann is 2-for-4 against Williams and Anthony Santander is 1-for-2. That’s it for Orioles exposure to Williams.

The Orioles won all four games against the Nats last season by a combined 11-1 score. They’ve won seven in a row against Washington dating back to 2022 and allowed only six runs, matching their fewest against an opponent in a seven-game span in club history, per STATS.

Manager Brandon Hyde’s best career record is against the Nationals at 16-8.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Colton Cowser LF
Jordan Westburg 2B
Cedric Mullins CF
Ramón Urías 3B

Corbin Burnes RHP