The Orioles are breaking out a new lineup tonight against the Rangers, with Blaze Alexander starting at third base.

Coby Mayo is on the bench for the first time.

Taylor Ward stays in the leadoff spot, followed by Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso and Adley Rutschman. Samuel Basallo returns as the designated hitter. Tyler O’Neill is in right field.

Jeremiah Jackson is at second base, marking his first time in the same lineup with Alexander.

Zach Eflin makes his first start after re-signing with the Orioles and winning a job in camp. He’s moved past his August back surgery to make his first appearance in the regular season since July 28.

Two career starts against the Rangers have stuck Eflin with a 6.97 ERA and 1.839 WHIP. He’s allowed eight runs and 16 hits in 10 1/3 innings.

Corey Seager is 5-for-12 with two doubles and a home run against Eflin. Brandon Nimmo is 1-for-14 with five strikeouts.

“I think personally, not speaking for Zach, but I would take it as a big start for him,” said manager Craig Albernaz.

“I think just what he went through last year, grinding through the back and the competitor that he is. He posted for the boys. And then having the back surgery and coming out in spring training looking the way he did, I think for him, just to go out there and show the world who he is, how he can pitch, because everyone knows he can. And it’s gonna be a fun one for me to just sit back and watch.”

Jacob deGrom is starting for the Rangers after being pushed back due to some neck stiffness. He finished eighth in Cy Young Award voting last year after posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.921 WHIP with 185 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings.

deGrom no-hit the Orioles for seven innings on June 25 before Colton Cowser’s leadoff single in the eighth. He’s 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA and 0.772 WHIP in five career starts against them, and he’s allowed only one run in 14 2/3 innings at Camden Yards.

Ward is 1-for-9 with a home run against deGrom.

The Orioles have scored 13 runs in four games, but eight came in Sunday’s 8-6 win over the Twins. They’ve struck out 40 times.

“I think early in the year, it’s tough,” Mayo said after last night’s 5-2 loss. “It’s a new season, everyone’s excited and antsy, everyone wants to get on the board. Obviously, we’ve had some knocks. I think we’ve swung it fine. I think last series versus the Twins, we swung it good, and I think we just had some not-so-great luck. I think we took some walks. We just flip the page, turn to tomorrow and get ready to play tomorrow.”

The Orioles are batting .228/.313/.323, with their .636 OPS ranking 20th in the majors.

“It’s a great one through nine, plus the four on the bench,” Mayo said. “Any given night, this team is capable of putting up 10-plus. Sometimes, the pitcher just has a good night and you’ve got to credit him and you’ve got to just turn the page, can’t dwell on it too much. We have a lot of games left to play. Just got to stay in a good headspace and just look forward to the next day.”

Left-hander Cade Povich starts tonight for Triple-A Norfolk in Memphis and Brandon Young is listed as the probable for Wednesday afternoon. Still no word on Dean Kremer’s 2026 debut.

Double-A Chesapeake opens its season Thursday in Hartford, with Trace Bright, Christian Herberholz and Luis De Leon starting in the series.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Samuel Basallo DH
Tyler O’Neill RF
Colton Cowser CF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Blaze Alexander 3B

Zach Eflin RHP

For the Rangers
Brandon Nimmo RF
Wyatt Langford LF
Corey Seager SS
Jake Burger 1B
Joc Pederson DH
Josh Smith 2B
Danny Jansen C
Evan Carter CF
Ezequiel Duran 3B

Jacob deGrom RHP

Update: Kremer makes his first Norfolk start on Friday, opposing former Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann.