The deficit and remaining number of games are daunting.

Opportunities keep shrinking while expectations for another losing season grow.

The Orioles began today four games back for the last Wild Card with seven left. The White Sox are in a rain delay. The Guardians got a late start due to the weather.

“Kind of beat a dead horse, but we’ve got to control we can control,” Trevor Rogers said after yesterday’s 1-0 loss. “Let these two games get away from us, but we’ve got to salvage the series tomorrow and do it the next day. It’s all we’ve got left. Control what we can control and give it all we’ve got tomorrow.” 

A loss tonight would leave the Orioles 75-81 and needing to run the table in order to finish .500. The Blue Jays are next in town and the regular season concludes with a weekend series at Yankee Stadium.

The hardest remaining strength of schedule is another burden for the Orioles, who send Brandon Young to the mound tonight against the Brewers in his penultimate start in 2026.

Young’s name will appear on some Most Valuable Oriole ballots after he posted a 3.65 ERA in 26 appearances that’s the lowest in the rotation. He had it down to 3.38 on Aug. 28.

Young hasn’t faced the Brewers in his two seasons in the majors. Bo Naylor is 0-for-1 with a walk against him.

Dylan Beavers is back in the leadoff spot. Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter, with Carlos Narváez catching.

Jeremiah Jackson is batting sixth and playing second base, followed by Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras.

Coby Mayo, the third baseman and cleanup hitter, has reached base in 22 consecutive games.

Gunnar Henderson has a hit in seven of his last eight games, slashing .323/.400/.484 (10-for-31) with two doubles, a home run and four walks.

The Orioles are batting .145 (9-for-62) with runners in scoring position in seven games since Sept. 12.

As if the Orioles aren’t already challenged over this final week, they have to face National League Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski, who’s 15-5 with a 1.89 ERA, 0.812 WHIP and 243 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings. He’s allowing only 5.0 hits per nine innings.

Left-handers are hitting .119/.194/.197 against him, and right-handers are hitting .209/.268/.319. He’s got a 1.61 ERA in 15 home starts and a 2.23 ERA in 13 road games.

Misiorowski tossed five scoreless innings in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and was removed after 82 pitches. The Brewers are giving him extra rest and lightening his load when able.

This will be the Orioles’ first time facing The Miz, who’s an All-Star in both of his seasons in the majors. Pete Alonso is 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Today marks the first time that the Ravens and Orioles have played regular season home games on the same date. The Orioles are hoping for a better outcome.

For the Orioles
Dylan Beavers LF
Pete Alonso 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Coby Mayo 3B
Samuel Basallo DH
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Colton Cowser CF
Leody Taveras RF
Carlos Narváez C

Brandon Young RHP

For the Brewers
Jackson Chourio LF
Brice Turang 2B
William Contreras C
Jake Bauers 1B
Joey Ortiz 3B
Christian Yelich DH
Cooper Pratt SS
Garrett Mitchell CF
Sal Frelick RF

Jacob Misiorowski RHP

Listed starters for Blue Jays series at Camden Yards:

Monday: RHP Shane Baz vs. TBA
Tuesday: RHP Chris Bassitt vs. RHP Max Scherzer
Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA