Ryan Mountcastle is in the lineup for only the second time this season, as the Orioles begin a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago.

Mountcastle is 1-for-5 in three games. He’s serving as designated hitter tonight and batting sixth.

Tyler O’Neill is in right field, with Dylan Beavers going to the bench. Colton Cowser is in center.

Jeremiah Jackson is the second baseman and Coby Mayo is at third. Blaze Alexander and Samuel Basallo also are reserves tonight.

Taylor Ward is the fifth player to bat leadoff in his first 10 games with the Orioles, joining Luis Aparicio (84) in 1963, Marv Breeding (76) in 1960, Alan Wiggins (55) in 1985 and Cal Abrams (16) in 1954, per STATS.

Ward has a .395 OBP this season, which accounts for all of the Orioles’ plate appearances from the leadoff spot. Last year, the team’s leadoff hitters combined for a .296 OBP, second worst in the majors behind the Angels’ .296.

Brandon Young makes his first start after the Orioles recalled him earlier today and put left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns on the 15-day injured list with a left foot infection.

Infielder Jordan Westburg (right elbow) is beginning a throwing progression this week. There’s no current return to play timeline.

Former Orioles outfielder Austin Hays is in the White Sox lineup tonight in left.

The game scheduled for Tuesday night has been moved up to 3:10 ET (2:10 CT) due to a forecast of cold temperatures.

The Orioles are 21-5 (.808) against the White Sox since 2022, tied for the best record by any team versus a league opponent over that span. The Guardians are 21-5 against the Athletics, and the Yankees have the same record against the Royals.

The Orioles have won eight in a row at Rate Field.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler O’Neill RF
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 3B
Jeremiah Jackson 2B

Brandon Young RHP

For the White Sox
Chase Meidroth 2B
Munetaka Murakami 1B
Miguel Vargas 3B
Colson Montgomery SS
Austin Hays LF
Andrew Benintendi DH
Edgar Quero C
Tristan Peters RF
Luisangel Acuña CF

Grant Taylor RHP