masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJosé Iglesias is getting the start at shortstop tonight rather than kept as the designated hitter or a pinch-hitter. Rio Ruiz, however, isn’t ready to return to third base while dealing with a sore right shoulder.
Ruiz is 7-for-22 (.318) with three home runs and a 1.112 OPS. Iglesias is 11-for-24 (.458) with six doubles and a 1.188 OPS. The Orioles need both of them with their offense in a major funk.
An offense that’s totaled one run and 10 hits in three losses in the series.
Ruiz could…

José Iglesias is getting the start at shortstop tonight rather than kept as the designated hitter or a pinch-hitter. Rio Ruiz, however, isn’t ready to return to third base while dealing with a sore right shoulder.

Ruiz is 7-for-22 (.318) with three home runs and a 1.112 OPS. Iglesias is 11-for-24 (.458) with six doubles and a 1.188 OPS. The Orioles need both of them with their offense in a major funk.

Iglesias-Swings-Orange-Intrasquad-Sidebar.jpgAn offense that’s totaled one run and 10 hits in three losses in the series.

Ruiz could be in the lineup Friday or Saturday in D.C.

“They’re a big part of our club and a big part of our defense on the left side,” manager Brandon Hyde said last night. “Rio’s been on such a good start offensively. He’s been a run producer for us, and then Iggy not being healthy for a few days, nice to get him back out there (yesterday), but yeah, that’s a loss. Hopefully, both those guys will be healthy soon and you’ll see them out there regularly.”

Chris Davis has been lowered to eighth tonight. Dwight Smith Jr. is the cleanup hitter.

Chance Sisco is catching and Austin Hays is the center fielder and batting seventh.

Pat Valaika is starting at third base.

Former Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar is 1-for-11 with a home run lifetime against left-hander Wade LeBlanc.

LeBlanc has a 7.56 ERA and 1.680 WHIP in six career games (four starts) against the Marlins.

The Marlins are starting right-hander Jordan Yamamoto, who was part of the return in January 2018 for outfielder Christian Yelich. He made 15 starts last year as a rookie and posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.144 WHIP in 78 2/3 innings. He averaged 4.1 walks and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Tonight marks his 2020 debut.

Yamamoto registered a 2.95 ERA and 0.908 WHIP in seven road starts and a 6.00 ERA and 1.385 WHIP in eight home games. Left-handed hitters slashed .152/.265/.312.

The Orioles are the road team again tonight in their home ballpark.

For the Orioles
Hanser Alberto 2B
Anthony Santander RF
José Iglesias SS
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Renato Núñez DH
Chance Sisco C
Austin Hays CF
Chris Davis 1B
Pat Valaika 3B

Wade LeBlanc LHP

For the Marlins
Jonathan Villar DH
Jon Berti SS
Francisco Cervelli C
Jesús Aguilar 1B
Brian Anderson 3B
Lewis Brinson RF
Logan Forsythe 2B
Magneuris Sierra LF
Monte Harrison CF

Jordan Yamamoto RHP

Left-hander Tommy Milone is the only confirmed starter for the series against the Nationals in D.C. He’s taking the mound for Friday night’s opener.