PITTSBURGH – Blaze Alexander is starting at third base today at PNC Park. Coby Mayo is on the bench.

Taylor Ward stays in the leadoff spot, with Gunnar Henderson batting second. Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter.

Dylan Beavers is in right field instead of Tyler O’Neill.

Jeremiah Jackson is the second baseman.

Kyle Bradish has made two career starts against the Pirates and allowed one earned run (two total) in 13 innings. He faced the Twins on Saturday and allowed two earned runs (three total) and two hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The Orioles are 42-26 (.618) all-time in Bradish’s starts, their fifth-best winning percentage with any pitcher in a minimum 50 starts, per STATS:

Steve Stone, 55-26 (.679)
Wally Bunker, 63-37 (.630)
Jim Palmer, 325-196 (.624)
Mike Cuellar, 176-107 (.622)

Also per STATS, the Orioles’ outfielder has a combined OPS of .889, second in the majors behind the Nationals’ 1.039. The Orioles ranked 15th last season at .721.

Shortstop Konnor Griffin, baseball’s No. 1 prospect who turns 20 later this month, adds to Pittsburgh’s Opening Day excitement with his major league debut. He’s batting seventh today.

Former Oriole Ryan O’Hearn is batting fifth and playing right field.

O’Hearn has two home runs and six RBIs through his first five games with the team. Only five other Pirates have done it since 1920, according to STATS.

Mitch Keller tossed six scoreless innings in his first start against the Mets. He’s faced the Orioles twice in his career, not including all those spring training, and allowed one run in 13 innings, with one walk and 14 strikeouts.

The Pirates have won their last two games by five runs. They had only one streak last season of consecutive wins by five or more.

The last five games against these teams have been decided by one run. Another game would tie the longest streak for the Orioles against any opponent, per STATS. The White Sox (1973) and Angels (1997-98) had six straight one-run outcomes.

It also would tie the MLB interleague record.

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

Kyle Bradish RHP

The Orioles announced late last night that outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. was removed from Triple-A Norfolk’s game in Memphis as a precaution after making a catch against the wall.

Trey Gibson started for Norfolk and allowed three earned runs (four total) and nine hits in four innings.

Dean Kremer is starting this afternoon for the Tides. He’s opposing former Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann.

Double-A Chesapeake outfielder Thomas Sosa came within a double of the cycle last night and drove in four runs in a 7-4 win over Hartford.

For the Pirates
Oneil Cruz CF
Brandon Lowe 2B
Bryan Reynolds LF
Marcell Ozuna DH
Ryan O’Hearn RF
Spencer Horwitz 1B
Konnor Griffin SS
Jared Triolo 3B
Henry Davis C

Mitch Keller RHP