masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRio Ruiz is starting again today at second base, as the Orioles try to clinch the season’s opening series with a victory against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The lineup may look familiar.
Austin Hays in left field, Ryan Mountcastle as the designated hitter, Trey Mancini at first base, Pedro Severino batting ninth.
Ruiz made three outstanding plays yesterday in his first start at second base and only this third appearance. He began working out at the position late in camp after a meeting with…

Rio Ruiz is starting again today at second base, as the Orioles try to clinch the season’s opening series with a victory against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The lineup may look familiar.

Austin Hays in left field, Ryan Mountcastle as the designated hitter, Trey Mancini at first base, Pedro Severino batting ninth.

Ruiz made three outstanding plays yesterday in his first start at second base and only this third appearance. He began working out at the position late in camp after a meeting with manager Brandon Hyde, who floated the idea to him.

“It was just a quick ‘yes,'” Ruiz said today in his Zoom call. “I don’t think I let him finish his question. I was more than happy to do it and more than happy to get to working.

Matt-Harvey-Throws-Orange-ST-Sidebar.jpg“I hadn’t thought about second base at all. A lot of position players and even pitchers mess around at a lot of different positions. Second base and the outfield, I power shag all the time, but second base was just something I kind of do for fun. That question came up and it was an easy ‘yes.'”

Matt Harvey is making his second career start against the Red Sox and first at Fenway Park. He faced them in 2015 with the Mets and shut them out on two hits over six innings. He struck out eight batters.

Right-hander Tanner Houck, the 24th-overall draft pick in 2017 out of the University of Missouri, made his major league debut last summer and allowed one earned run (two total) in three starts covering 17 innings. He walked nine batters and struck out 21.

Houck made four appearances in spring training and surrendered six runs and eight hits with 11 walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. He walked four Orioles in the third inning of a March 4 game and issued another free pass in the fourth.

Cedric Mullins had an RBI double off Houck. He’s leading off again today.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Rio Ruiz 2B
Austin Hays LF
Maikel Franco 3B
Freddy Galvis SS
Pedro Severino C

Matt Harvey RHP

For the Red Sox
Enrique Hernández CF
Alex Verdugo RF
J.D. Martinez DH
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B
Marwin González 2B
Bobby Dalbec 1B
Franchy Cordero LF
Kevin Plawecki C

Tanner Houck RHP