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DETROIT – Looking for wins and now two games back in the American League East race, the Orioles play at Comerica Park tonight. They open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers, Major League Baseball’s winningest club since Aug. 11.

The O’s lineup tonight shows Gunnar Henderson leading off, Cedric Mullins batting third and Adley Rutschman hitting fourth. Eloy Jiménez is the DH and Jacskon Holliday is batting ninth at second base. 

Yes, the Tigers (75-72) are a hot team and they are pushing for wins too. They begin play tonight 3.5 games behind the Twins for the final American League wild-card playoff spot.

Detroit has won four of five and 13 of 19 games. The Tigers lead MLB in going 20-9 since Aug. 11.

Best MLB records since that date:

.690 – Detroit Tigers, 20-9
.655 – Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies are all 19-10
.607 – Arizona Diamondbacks, 17-11
.600 – Atlanta Braves, 18-12

The Orioles have gone 13-16 during this time while the Yankees are 16-13. 

In those 29 games, Detroit pitchers have an MLB-best 2.51 ERA. For the year the Tigers pitchers have a 3.67 team ERA to rank second in the AL behind only Seattle at 3.52.

The Orioles, who have lost four of five and five of the last seven games, send right-hander Zach Eflin (10-8, 3.54 ERA) to the mound in the series opener. In six starts with the Orioles, he is 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 1.053 WHIP.

The Orioles are 83-64 and went 6-1 versus the Tigers last season. 

For the Orioles 

SS Gunnar Henderson
RF Anthony Santander
CF Cedric Mullins
C Adley Rutschman 
1B Ryan O’Hearn
DH Eloy Jiménez
LF Colton Cowser
3B Emmanuel Rivera
2B Jackson Holliday

RHP Zach Eflin

For the Tigers

CF Parker Meadows
DH Kerry Carpenter
3B Matt Vierling
LF Riley Greene
2B Colt Keith
1B Spencer Torkelson
RF Wenceel Pérez
SS Trey Sweeney
C Dillon Dingler

RHP Beau Brieske