The Orioles are in a freefall and trying to regain their footing in Miami.

The trip to New York flattened them, with a four-game sweep including a minus-29 run differential that tied for the worst over four games in team history. They never led.

A minus-41 run differential this season is second worst in the majors behind Philadelphia’s minus-42. Their next opponent, the Marlins, are at minus-2.

The Orioles have lost five consecutive games by five runs or more, the longest streak in club history. Their ERA has risen to 4.96 and their WHIP to 1.50, both ranked 28th in the majors. Opponents are batting .274, the highest average in the American League and second-highest in the majors.

The 23 games with a starting pitcher allowing three or more runs are the most in the majors. The Orioles are 5-18 in those games.

“We’ve got to bounce back in Miami and play clean baseball to give ourselves a chance,” manager Craig Albernaz told the media.

“I think the big thing is just not letting previous outcomes dictate the mindset and confidence moving forward,” outfielder Colton Cowser told the media. “I think we have a really good ballclub.”

Cowser is in right field tonight against the Marlins. Dylan Beavers is the designated hitter and Samuel Basallo is catching.

Blaze Alexander is the second baseman and Coby Mayo is at third. Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson are on the bench.

Rutschman is hitting .414 (12-for-29) with two outs this season, the second-highest mark by any player with at least 25 at-bats in those situations in 2026 after Carlos Cortes (.429), according to STATS.

Basallo was batting .140 in his first 16 games and has posted a .378 average in his last 10.

Chris Bassitt has a 5.46 ERA and 1.857 WHIP in six starts. He held the Astros to one run in 6 2/3 innings in his last outing.

Bassitt has made four career starts against Miami and posted a 4.21 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.

The Orioles have won his last four starts.

Bassitt hasn’t allowed an extra-base hit to a right-hander or walked multiple right-handers in his last nine starts dating back to Sept. 9, per STATS.

Right-hander Sandy Alcantara has registered a 3.04 ERA and 1.162 WHIP in seven starts, including a complete-game shutout against the White Sox. Five of his appearances are quality starts.

Alcantara has faced the Orioles twice in his career and allowed five earned runs in 12 innings.

Pete Alonso is 6-for-40 with four doubles, a home run and 10 strikeouts. Tyler O’Neill is 1-for-10.

Taylor Ward is 1-for-4 with a home run.

Alonso has hit 15 home runs at loanDepot Park, with 11 traveling 400 feet or more, per STATS. Freddie Freeman has hit the most among visiting players with 18, followed by Bryce Harper with 16.

The Marlins lost three of four games to the Phillies and are tied for second place in the National League East with a 16-19 record. They’re 11-9 at home.

Miami has hit only 25 homers, 27th in the majors, and a .377 slugging percentage is 23rd. The 3.86 ERA from the pitching staff is 11th, a 1.24 WHIP is eighth, and a .221 average against is fourth.

The bullpen has registered a 3.40 ERA that ranks fifth, and a 1.23 WHIP is fourth.

The Marlins’ roster includes former Orioles Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, who are both in tonight’s lineup.

The Orioles lost two of three games in Miami in 2024. They’re 15-32 all-time against the Marlins, including 4-16 at loanDepot Park.

The last eight games in Miami have been decided by three runs or fewer dating back to May 22, 2015, which is tied for the Orioles’ longest streak against any National League opponent, per STATS.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Taylor Ward LF
Dylan Beavers DH
Pete Alonso 1B
Samuel Basallo C
Leody Taveras CF
Colton Cowser RF
Coby Mayo 3B
Blaze Alexander 2B

Chris Bassitt RHP

Outfielder Reed Trimble and pitcher Keagan Gillies have been transferred from Single-A Delmarva to High-A Frederick on their minor league rehab assignments.

For the Marlins
Xavier Edwards 2B
Liam Hicks 1B
Otto Lopez SS
Kyle Stowers LF
Jakob Marsee CF
Connor Norby DH
Joe Mack C

Owen Caissie RF
Graham Pauley 3B

Sandy Alcantara RHP