The Orioles have a chance today to complete a sweep of the Athletics in Sacramento, win six of their last eight games and finally move within one of .500 for the first time since April 30.

They’re only one game behind the Guardians, losers of two straight, for the last Wild Card.

Blaze Alexander is leading off and playing second base. Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers are on the bench.

Basallo came out of last night’s game after being hit on the right hand while blocking a pitch in the dirt. The Athletics are starting lefty Jeffrey Springs, which might have put Basallo in a reserve role anyway.

Pete Alonso remains the designated hitter. Alonso is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts in his last three games and 1-for-17 in his last four since going 4-for-4 on Tuesday.

Coby Mayo remains the first baseman.

Before the All-Star break, Mayo was hitting .125 and slugging .250 against high pitches. He’s hitting .261 and slugging .609 against them in the second half, per STATS.

Mayo has scored a run in four straight games, tied for the longest active streak in the majors. He’s one shy of his career high.

Colton Cowser is batting ninth and playing center field. Christian Franklin is in left.

Chris Bassitt has allowed six runs in 17 2/3 innings in three starts since his reinstatement from the injured list. He held the Cardinals to one run in 6 2/3 in his last appearance.

Bassitt faced the Athletics on May 10 and allowed one run in six innings. He’s 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against the A’s.

Lawrence Butler is 4-for-9 with a double against Bassitt. Zack Gelof is 4-for-12 with a double and home run. Jonah Heim is 1-for-12 with a double.

Bassitt has increased his strikeouts per nine innings from 5.91 before his IL stint to 7.13 since returning.

The Orioles have gone a season-high eight straight games without committing an error, their longest streak since Aug. 18-26, 2023.

Left-handers don’t bother the Orioles anymore and they’re seeing another one with bad numbers. Springs is 3-12 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.496 WHIP in 24 starts. The 30 home runs allowed are most in the American League.

The Orioles should tee off unless the reverse lock takes hold.

The splits are pretty much even this season. Right-handers are hitting .273/.340/.525 and left-handers are hitting .273/.344/.538.

Springs, a former Tampa Bay Ray, has faced the Orioles 13 times (three starts) and gone 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in 27 innings.

Alonso is 1-for-2 with a home run.

Henry Bolte is hitting .412 and slugging .608 when he’s been ahead in the count this season.

For the Orioles
Blaze Alexander 2B
Pete Alonso DH
Gunnar Henderson SS
Coby Mayo 1B
Christian Encarnacion-Strand 3B
Leody Taveras RF
Christian Franklin LF
Carlos Narváez C
Colton Cowser CF

Chris Bassitt RHP

For the Athletics
Henry Bolte CF
Jeff McNeil DH
Zack Gelof 3B
Lawrence Butler RF
Donovan Walton 2B
Tommy White 1B
Carlos Cortes LF
Brian Serven C
Alika Williams SS

Jeffrey Springs LHP

Triple-A Norfolk reliever Nick Raquet went on the seven-day injured list after leaving last night’s game with left elbow discomfort.

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad isn’t in Norfolk’s lineup in the final minor league game before major league rosters expand Tuesday. He went 3-for-4 Saturday and is batting .289 with a .799 OPS.

Kjerstad is batting .311/.400/.527 in 21 games this month and .291/.343/.475 in 66 games over the last 90 days.

The Orioles aren’t listing their starters for the upcoming series in Colorado. The Rockies are starting right-handers Tanner Gordon (1-4, 5.38 ERA), Gabriel Hughes (0-6, 6.61) and Tomoyuki Sugano (12-8, 5.23).