Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

Fredi González is managing the Orioles tonight while Brandon Hyde is at Syracuse University for daughter Aria’s graduation, and their bench coach is hoping to guide the team to its ninth series win in 10 tries.

Joey Ortiz is in the clubhouse today. A new rule allows a non-catcher to join the taxi squad for 24 hours. Ortiz will return to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday if he isn’t placed on the active roster.

Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter tonight. The infield includes Adam Frazier at second base, Gunnar Henderson at third and Jorge Mateo at shortstop.

Cedric Mullins hit for the cycle last night and is slashing .316/.414/.547 (30-for-95) with seven doubles, three triples, three home runs, 23 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 16 walks, and seven stolen bases in 27 games since April 12.

Adley Rutschman leads the American League with 31 walks.

Rutschman has a .339 average and .581 slugging percentage against fastballs and a .341 average and .463 slugging percentage against off-speed pitches, but he’s posted a .111 average and .139 slugging percentage against breaking balls, according to STATS.

Anthony Santander’s nine-game hitting streak ended last night, but he walked twice to extend his on-base streak to 10 games.

James McCann appeared in his 800^th career game last night.

The Orioles have received 10 quality starts from their rotation, and four in the last seven games. Tyler Wells will try to keep it rolling tonight to further lighten the bullpen load.

Wells has registered a 3.15 ERA and 0.775 WHIP in seven games (six starts), with 14 runs, 24 hits and seven walks in 40 innings. He held the Braves to one run and three hits over five innings last weekend.

Wells has never faced the Pirates.

The team’s ERA is 2.52 and the rotation ERA is 2.04 over the last seven games.

The Orioles are 25-13, tied with the Braves for the second-best record in baseball, and can move 13 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2016 season.

The Orioles have won 17 of their last 23 games, 19 of 26 and 21 of 29. They have 14 comeback victories, tied for the most in baseball.

Right-hander Roansy Contreras, with heaviest usage of his slider and fastball, has made seven starts and registered a 4.74 ERA and 1.553 WHIP over 38 innings. He’s averaging 4.5 walks per nine innings but has surrendered only two home runs.

Contreras had a stretch of allowing three runs and striking out 19 batters in 18 2/3 innings in three starts, but he’s given up nine runs and 15 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his last two outings. He’s never faced the Orioles.

The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Adam Frazier 2B
Austin Hays LF
Gunnar Henderson 3B
Jorge Mateo SS
Ryan O’Hearn DH

Tyler Wells RHP

Outfielder John Rhodes was reinstated from Double-A Bowie’s injured list.