Beavers rises to top of Orioles lineup
By Roch Kubatko
Dylan Beavers is batting leadoff for the first time in his brief career, as the Orioles try to secure their series against the Rays at Camden Yards.
Jackson Holliday is on the bench, freeing up second base for Jordan Westburg.
Samuel Basallo is playing first base.
Basallo didn’t have any hits against inside pitches in August, but he’s hitting .286 and slugging 1.000 this month, per STATS.
Jeremiah Jackson gets the start at third base.
Tyler Wells has made three starts since returning from elbow surgery and gone 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 0.623 WHIP in 17 2/3 innings. He’s walked only one batter.
Wells walked 7.4 percent of right-handed hitters across the 2023-24 seasons but hasn’t issued a walk against them in 33 at-bats this season, per STATS.
Wells is 0-3 with a 5.97 ERA and 1.232 WHIP in 10 games (six starts) against the Rays.
Yandy Díaz is 2-for-13 with a home run against Wells. Josh Lowe is 3-for-5 with two doubles.
Rays right-hander Shane Baz has a 4.99 ERA and 1.349 WHIP in 30 starts. He’s struck out 173 batters in 162 1/3 innings.
Baz hasn’t faced the Orioles this season. He’s made two career starts against them and allowed one earned run (two total) and four hits in 12 innings.
Gunnar Henderson is 2-for-3 with a home run against him.
For the Orioles
Dylan Beavers LF
Jordan Westburg 2B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Tyler O’Neill RF
Samuel Basallo 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Colton Cowser CF
Jeremiah Jackson 3B
Tyler Wells RHP
