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TORONTO – The Orioles have gone 7-1-2 in 10 American League East series this year, losing just one. Tonight they play the rubber match game against Toronto after splitting the first two games of this series.

The Orioles are 7-5 versus the Blue Jays and have won the season series. They are 24-11 against division opponents. They have not lost a road AL East series, going 3-0-1 in four series and 12-4 in those games.

In tonight’s series finale, Colton Cowser will bat leadoff again, Anthony Santander will serve as the DH as Ryan O’Hearn moves from left to right field. Ramón Urías starts at third base, batting ninth. 

Five players in the majors have now hit 30 or more homers. Santander, at 34, ranks second in the AL and tied for second in MLB in home runs.

MLB homer leaders:

41 – Aaron Judge, Yankees
34 – Anthony Santander, Orioles and Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
32 – Marcell Ozuna, Braves
30 – José Ramírez, Guardians

Gunnar Henderson is sitting on 29 homers, waiting to join this club.

At 68-47, the O’s begin play today in a first-place tie with the Yankees again. They have won three of four, seven of 11 and are 10-9 since the All-Star break.

Toronto is 52-62, has lost five of seven and is 8-10 since the break. The Blue Jays are 27-29 at home and 16-24 within the AL East.

Righty Dean Kremer (4-8, 4.39 ERA) will make his 16th start for the Orioles. He has not faced Toronto this year, but is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 career games.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman (9-8, 4.56 ERA) makes his 23rd start for the Blue Jays. The Orioles selected Gausman in round one (No. 4 overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft out of LSU. In six career games versus the Orioles, he is 1-4 with a 5.35 ERA.

For the Orioles 

LF Colton Cowser
DH Anthony Santander
SS Gunnar Henderson
RF Ryan O’Hearn
C Adley Rutschman
1B Ryan Mountcastle
2B Jackson Holliday
CF Cedric Mullins
3B Ramón Urías

RHP Dean Kremer

For the Blue Jays

DH George Springer
CF Daulton Varsho
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
2B Spencer Horwitz
C Alejandro Kirk
LF Joey Loperfido
3B Ernie Clement
RF Addison Barger
SS Leo Jiménez

RHP Kevin Gausman