Orioles lineup vs. Astros

The last three Orioles’ starters have completed 8 2/3 innings or more, a first for the franchise since Mike Mussina, Scott Erickson and Kevin Brown on Sept. 26-29, 1995. The club has recorded three shutouts among four wins over the Astros this season.

Now it’s Mike Baumann’s turn on the mound as the replacement for injured right-hander Tyler Wells. The bar is raised high above his head.

Baumann is making his second major league start and his 15^th appearance. He’s allowed 10 earned runs and 11 total this season in 21 innings.

Baumann has never faced the Astros, who are stuck on 99 wins.

Ramón Urías returns to the lineup at third base after being scratched last night with spasms between his neck and right shoulder.

Ryan Mountcastle moves up to second in the order and Adley Rutschman drops to fourth as the designated hitter.

Rutschman’s 32^nd double last night tied Cal Ripken, Jr. for most by a rookie in Orioles history.

Rougned Odor is playing second base.

The Orioles have clinched a season series over the Astros for the first time since 2014. They’ve also won 44 games at home for the first time since 2017.

The Mariners are three games ahead of the Orioles for the last wild card.

The last time the Orioles had four consecutive starters work at least 8 2/3 innings was Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 1982 with Jim Palmer, Dennis Martinez, Mike Flanagan and Palmer again. Each one a complete game.

Palmer began the streak with a four-hit shutout in Toronto and ended it with a one-hit shutout at home against the Twins. Gary Gaetti singled with two outs in the fifth.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez is 16-5 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.110 WHIP, three complete games and one shutout in 28 starts. The All-Star has allowed only nine home runs in 185 2/3 innings.

Left-handers are batting .197/.286/.214 with no home runs against Valdez this season, and right-handers are batting .217/.290/.305.

Valdez has faced the Orioles twice in his career, once as a starter, and allowed two runs in 9 1/3 innings.

Trey Mancini is 1-for-16 against the Orioles.

The Astros have been shut out 10 times, the most since 2018. The Orioles have thrown 15 shutouts, the most since 1992 (16).

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

Mike Baumann RHP