Stowers returns to Orioles lineup for series finale vs. Braves (with Kremer note)

The Orioles will try for back-to-back sweeps this afternoon, raising their total to six, as they close out their series against the Braves at Camden Yards.

Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup. Ryan O’Hearn gets the start at first base and Kyle Stowers is the designated hitter. Stowers hasn’t played since Saturday due to soreness in his right wrist.

Cedric Mullins is in center field. He has two multi-hit games in his last four. The Orioles are 7-0 when he has multiple hits.

Colton Cowser is the left fielder after last night’s tie-breaking two-run homer. Jordan Westburg is at third base. Adley Rutschman is catching a day game after a night game.

Gunnar Henderson extended his career-high on-base streak to 20 straight games, the longest by an Oriole since Mountcastle’s 28 games from July 21-Aug. 23, 2023.

Mountcastle has a 1.000 slugging percentage when ahead in the count this season, per STATS.

Rutschman has a .833 slugging percentage on breaking balls this month, per STATS, after he slugged .375 in May.

Left-hander Cole Irvin is 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.181 WHIP in 12 games, including 10 starts. He’s faced the Braves seven times, with only two starts, and allowed 24 runs and 35 hits in 20 1/3 innings.

Ozzie Albies is 4-for-6 with two doubles. Jarred Kelenic is 4-for-9.

Orioles pitching has allowed 0.83 home runs per nine innings this season, second lowest in the majors.

The Orioles have won six games in a row and 16 of 20 but still trail the first-place Yankees by 2 ½. Their starters haven’t allowed an earned run in the last three games covering 18 1/3 innings.

Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo López has made 11 starts and registered a 1.85 ERA and 1.089 WHIP in 63 1/3 innings. He’s surrendered only four home runs.

López hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start this season, or more than one in seven starts. He’s facing the Orioles for the 10^th time, making only his third start, after posting a 3.24 ERA and 1.320 WHIP against them.

James McCann is 7-for-16 with a double and triple against López. O’Hearn is 6-for-17 with two home runs and six RBIs. Rutschman is 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles.

The Braves have lost five games in a row and are 35-30. The first-place Phillies lead them by 10 games.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Colton Cowser LF
Cedric Mullins CF
Kyle Stowers DH
Jorge Mateo 2B

Cole Irvin LHP

Notes: Dean Kremer threw a bullpen session again today and the Orioles are deciding the date and location of his rehab assignment.