Gunnar Henderson moves back to the leadoff spot tonight and Taylor Ward bats third, as the Orioles continue their series against the Cubs.

Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter, Dylan Beavers is in right field, Colton Cowser is in center, and Blaze Alexander is at third base.

Adley Rutschman has multiple RBIs in three of his last six games after doing it twice in his previous 24 games from May 19-June 28.

From STATS: Pete Alonso sees breaking balls 35.1 percent of the time,  above the major league average of 30.5. However, Alonso’s .207 average against breaking balls is below the league average of .219.

Also from STATS: Henderson batted .362 with a .583 slugging percentage against fastballs from right-handers last season, but his numbers have dipped to .200 and .355 in 2026.

Dean Kremer makes his fourth start tonight and his second since leaving the injured list. He allowed one run over six innings against the White Sox to begin the month.

Kremer has made two career starts against the Cubs and allowed six earned runs and 10 total in nine innings.

Alex Bregman is 2-for-14 against Kremer. Michael Conforto is 3-for-4 with a homer.

Cubs right-hander Colin Rea has made 18 appearances, including 14 starts, and registered a 4.74 ERA and 1.433 WHIP. Left-handers are hitting .310/.387/.448, and right-handers are hitting .211/.284/.415.

Rea has a 2.72 ERA in eight home games and a 6.60 ERA in 10 road games. He has a 27.3 percent whiff rate at Wrigley Field and a 15.5 percent rate on the road.

In three career starts against the Orioles, Rea has allowed five runs with 18 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings in his only appearance at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are eight games below .500 and 4 ½ out of the Wild Card. They’re in last place, with the same 42-50 record as last season.

They were held to six hits or fewer last night for the 30th time this season, going 7-23 in those games.  

The Cubs have won 11 of their last 14 games and 17 of 23 after losing 22 of 29 between May 9-June 10.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Taylor Ward LF
Pete Alonso 1B
Samuel Basallo DH
Dylan Beavers RF
Colton Cowser CF
Blaze Alexander 3B
Jackson Holliday 2B

Dean Kremer RHP

Infielder Jaiden Lo Re and right-hander JT Quinn have been named the Orioles Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June.

Lo Re, a fifth-round draft pick last year, slashed .361/.495/.486 (26-for-72) with four doubles, one triple, one homer, 14 RBIs, 19 walks, 12 runs and 11 stolen bases in 21 games between Class A Delmarva and the Florida Complex League Orioles.

Quinn, the 69th-overall pick last year, had a 2.73 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with six walks and 21 strikeouts in five starts with High-A Frederick. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the organization’s No. 19 prospect.

Left-handers Trevor Rogers and David Peterson start Thursday night’s series finale.