masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMaikel Franco is the designated hitter tonight and Rio Ruiz is at third base, as the Orioles try to avoid a sweep at Yankee Stadium.
Ramón Urías is the second baseman. Cedric Mullins stays in center field and atop the order.
Mullins is only the third Orioles player to record at least 11 hits in his first five games of the season, joining Adam Jones (12 in 2013) and Eddie Murray (12 in 1982).
Left-hander John Means started on opening day in Boston and tossed seven scoreless innings with…

Maikel Franco is the designated hitter tonight and Rio Ruiz is at third base, as the Orioles try to avoid a sweep at Yankee Stadium.

Ramón Urías is the second baseman. Cedric Mullins stays in center field and atop the order.

mullins-after-strikeout-gray-sidebar.jpgMullins is only the third Orioles player to record at least 11 hits in his first five games of the season, joining Adam Jones (12 in 2013) and Eddie Murray (12 in 1982).

Left-hander John Means started on opening day in Boston and tossed seven scoreless innings with one hit and no walks. He has a 7.17 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in seven career appearances (four starts) against the Yankees covering 21 1/3 innings. He’s allowed eight runs and 18 hits in 13 innings in the Bronx.

Right-hander Jameson Taillon is starting for the first time since May 1, 2019 with the Pirates, who made him the second overall pick in the 2010 draft – one spot before the Orioles grabbed Manny Machado. He’s never faced the Orioles.

The Orioles have lost their last 12 games in the Bronx since May 15, 2019, their longest streak since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. The stretch matches their longest losing streak on the road as the Browns/Orioles franchise.

The Browns also lost 12 in a row in the Bronx, from Aug. 20, 1926-Sept. 10, 1927.

Aaron Judge is out of the Yankees’ lineup due to some soreness in his left side.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Maikel Franco DH
Pedro Severino C
Rio Ruiz 3B
Freddy Galvis SS
Ramon Urías 2B

John Means LHP

For the Yankees
DJ LeMahieu 2B
Gleyber Torres SS
Aaron Hicks CF
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Clint Frazier RF
Jay Bruce 1B
Gary Sánchez C
Gio Urshela 3B
Brett Gardner LF

Jameson Taillon RHP

Here are the starters for the Orioles’ home-opening series against the Red Sox:

Thursday: Matt Harvey vs. Eduardo Rodriguez
Saturday: Bruce Zimmermann vs. Garrett Richards
Sunday: Jorge López vs. Nick Pivetta

Note: This might be my final post of the day. My reaction to the second vaccine shot hasn’t been good. But I’ll return for the home opener.