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KANSAS CITY – The Orioles return to their left-handed lineup this afternoon as they try to win the series against the Royals.

Cedric Mullins returns to center field, Colton Cowser to left and Jackson Holliday to second base.

Cowser is batting .400 against fastballs this season after hitting .087 in 2023.

Jordan Westburg is batting .438 (14-for-32) with eight RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. He’s posted a .421 average over his last 10 games, compared to .194 in his first nine.

Anthony Santander was the first Orioles player last night with three doubles since Austin Hays on April 28, 2022 in the Bronx. He’s in right field again today.

Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter.

Left-hander Cole Irvin has registered a 6.75 ERA and 1.705 WHIP in three starts totaling 14 2/3 innings. His first outing came against the Royals and he allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Salvador Perez is 5-for-12 with a home run against Irvin.

Perez’s home run last night was the first allowed by Corbin Burnes with at least two runners on base since Sept. 19, 2022, snapping a streak of 25 that were solo or two-run shots.

The Orioles’ 13-7 start is their sixth-best in club history. Most recently, they were 14-6 in 2017.

They’re batting .301 with runners in scoring position and were 7-for-16 last night.

Right-hander Seth Lugo is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 1.052 WHIP in four starts totaling 25 2/3 innings. He hasn’t surrendered a home run.

Lugo has never started against the Orioles. He’s made two relief appearances and shut them out over four innings.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Cedric Mullins CF
Colton Cowser LF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Jackson Holliday 2B

Cole Irvin LHP

For the Royals

Maikel Garcia 3B
Bobby Witt Jr. SS
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
Salvador Perez DH
MJ Melendez LF
Hunter Renfroe RF
Adam Frazier 2B
Freddy Fermin C
Garrett Hampson CF

Seth Lugo RHP