The Orioles will try to avoid a sweep tonight against the Yankees, before the Rays come to town, and regain some ground in the Wild Card race.

They fell 1 ½ games back last night, tying them with the Guardians and Tigers. The Rangers were a half-game behind the Twins and the Blue Jays were one game back.

The Yankees have clinched the season series against the Orioles with a 7-2 record and four games remaining.

Jackson Holliday is leading off. Pete Alonso is starting at first base rather than serving as the designated hitter. Those duties fall to Samuel Basallo.

Carlos Narváez is catching.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is the third baseman, putting Coby Mayo on the bench.

Kyle Bradish is bringing a 3.65 ERA into tonight’s game, his 25th start this season. He allowed one earned run (two total) in six innings in Texas and two runs in six innings in St. Petersburg in his last two outings.

Bradish started twice against the Yankees in May, allowing five runs in four innings in the Bronx and tossing six scoreless innings with only one hit allowed in Baltimore. It was the first time that the Orioles held the Yankees to one hit or fewer since Sept. 28, 2006.

The 7-0 victory marked the Orioles’ largest shutout win over New York since Sept. 2, 2016.

Bradish owns a career 3.40 ERA in nine starts against the Yankees. Ben Rice is 4-for-10 with a home run.

Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole has a 3.22 ERA and 1.085 WHIP in 15 starts. He made his return from Tommy John surgery on May 22.

Cole has allowed 14 earned runs in his last eight starts over 49 innings. He’s made 15 career starts against the Orioles and posted a 2.39 ERA and 0.912 WHIP in 94 1/3 innings. Cole has a 2.17 ERA in eight starts at Camden Yards covering 49 2/3 innings.

Leody Taveras is 4-for-11 with a double, home run and seven strikeouts against Cole. Gunnar Henderson is 3-for-12 with a double and home run.

Pete Alonso, who brings an 11-game hitting streak that ties his career high, is 1-for-6 with a home run. Colton Cowser is 0-for-7 with six strikeouts.

Alonso’s 14 opposite-field home runs are the third most in a season by an Orioles player in the Statcast era (since 2015), trailing Chris Davis (17 in 2016) and Trey Mancini (16 in 2019).

The Yankees led the majors in OPS last season at .787, but they rank 17th this season at .715 – one spot behind the Orioles’ .718.

For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Pete Alonso 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Samuel Basallo DH
Christian Encarnacion-Strand 3B
Dylan Beavers LF
Leody Taveras RF
Colton Cowser CF
Carlos Narváez C

Kyle Bradish RHP

Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Nestor German was placed on the seven-day injured list today after leaving Tuesday’s game with right shoulder discomfort.

Heston Kjerstad singled twice, tripled and walked this afternoon against Nashville. Juaron Watts-Brown allowed six runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

The Orioles announced details of the 30th anniversary celebration of Eddie Murray’s 500th career home run on Sept. 6 at Camden Yards.

Gates will open at noon for the 1:35 p.m. game.

From the news release:

Murray will be in attendance for the festivities, which will include a special pregame ceremony and various in-game elements. All fans in attendance will receive orange “EDDIE” signs, a direct replica of those given out on September 6, 1996, and Murray will address the fans in the ballpark before throwing the ceremonial first pitch. The afternoon will also feature appearances by former teammates including fellow National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.Fans can take home their own memory from the anniversary, with ballpark-exclusive merchandise including two t-shirts, a pin, and three limited edition mint pieces.

Fans are invited to bid on a special ticket package experience in celebration of the anniversary, including four tickets on Sunday, September 6, including in the orange seat where his 500th home run landed in right field. The package will include a meet and greet with Murray, and proceeds will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation. Bidding is now open at Orioles.com/Auction, and will run until Sunday, Aug. 30.

Murray hit 343 of his 504 home runs with the Orioles. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.