Rutschman moves atop the Orioles order vs. Red Sox

Adley Rutschman is leading off tonight against Red Sox left-hander Brennan Bernardino, who’s only made two starts among his 44 appearances and will serve as an opener.

Colton Cowser moves down to fifth in the order. Eloy Jiménez is the designated hitter.

Ramón Urías makes another start at third base.

Corbin Burnes makes his 25^th start for the Orioles. Nineteen of the first 24 are quality, and he’s gone 12-4 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.049 WHIP.

Burnes has made two starts against the Red Sox this year and held them to a combined two runs (one earned) and five hits in 14 innings. He’s faced them three times in his career and allowed five runs (three earned) and 10 hits in 19 innings.

Rutschman batted .132 last month, including .077 against breaking balls. He’s hitting .300 this month and .333 against breaking balls.

The Orioles and Yankees are tied for first place. The Orioles are 6-1 against the Red Sox, their best start since going 8-0 in 1960.

The Orioles have surrendered one run or fewer in consecutive games for the fourth time this season and the first time since July 2-3 in Seattle. They’re trying to win their third game in a row for the first time since July 14-20. They haven’t won on three consecutive days since stringing together four in a row from June 26-29.

Bernardino has a 3.79 ERA and 1.413 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings. He’s surrendered only four home runs.

Bernardino’s first appearance this season came against the Orioles on April 10, when he struck out three in two scoreless innings. He also tossed two scoreless with four strikeouts on May 28 at Camden Yards.

The Red Sox are removing right-hander Cooper Criswell from the COVID injured list and he could work in bulk behind Bernardino. He originally was listed as the starter.

Criswell has made 18 appearances, including 13 starts, and posted a 4.02 ERA and 1.242 WHIP. He’s allowed only seven home runs in 71 2/3 innings.

Criswell hasn’t started since tossing seven scoreless innings on July 23 in Colorado. His next four outings were in relief.

The Orioles faced Criswell on May 27 in Baltimore, his only career appearance against them, and he allowed seven runs and seven hits in four innings.

Criswell has doubled his changeup usage this season, from 13 to 26.1 percent, per STATS.

For the Orioles

Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Colton Cowser LF
Eloy Jiménez DH
Jackson Holliday 2B
Cedric Mullins CF
Ramón Urías 3B

Corbin Burnes RHP