The Orioles have won six games in a row and will try to extend their streak to seven today for the first time since Sept. 2-9, 2023.

They’re still two games behind the third-place Red Sox, who have won 12 in a row. They’re nine games out of first place and two out of the last Wild Card.

A win today would leave the Orioles two games below .500 for the first time since June 5.

Manager Craig Albernaz revealed after yesterday’s 4-2, 11-inning win that Brandon Young would start today instead of Kyle Bradish, which appeared to keep the starters on their normal turns. However, Bradish is pushed back until Tuesday in Boston, in between Shane Baz and Dean Kremer.

Young carried a perfect game into the eighth inning last year in Houston. Bradish, meanwhile, has made three career starts against the Astros and tossed 22 2/3 scoreless innings with six hits and 25 strikeouts.

The last time Bradish faced them was Sept. 20, 2023, when he shut them out on two hits with nine strikeouts in six innings in Houston. He tossed eight scoreless with two hits allowed on Aug. 26, 2022 in Houston, and 8 2/3 scoreless with two hits and 10 strikeouts a month later at Camden Yards.

But it’s Young today.

Young started against the Astros in Game 2 of an April 30 doubleheader at Camden Yards and allowed four earned runs and 10 total with nine hits in four innings.

Christian Walker is 3-for-9 with a double and home run against Young. Yordan Alvarez is 2-for-2 with a home run.

The Orioles have posted a 3.49 ERA in 48 games since May 24, the fourth best in the majors during that time behind the Tigers (3.15), Red Sox (3.40), and Yankees (3.46). The rotation’s 3.59 ERA is the fourth best in the AL and sixth in the majors.

Orioles relievers haven’t allowed an earned run in the last five games and 18 1/3 innings. The only run that scored came yesterday with the automatic runner in the 10th inning.

Since June 4, the bullpen has posted a 2.90 ERA (40 earned runs in 124 innings) over 37 games. Only the Yankees (2.18), Astros (2.45) and Tigers (2.67) have a lower ‘pen ERA.

Andrew Kittredge hasn’t allowed an earned run in 10 games (9 1/3 innings) since June 24, and since May 18, he’s posted a 1.37 ERA with three earned runs over 19 2/3 innings in 22 appearances.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off this afternoon, Taylor Ward is the designated hitter and Samuel Basallo is catching.

Dylan Beavers is in left field, Colton Cowser is in center and Leody Taveras is in right. Coby Mayo is the third baseman.

Sam Huff joined the team on the catcher taxi squad. Silas Ardoin moved up from Double-A Chesapeake to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Astros are sending right-hander Hunter Brown to the mound. He’s made seven starts and posted a 3.57 ERA with 22 walks and 39 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings. His walk rate has increased from 7.8 percent last season to 14.4 percent in 2026.

Brown went on the injured list with a Grade 2 shoulder strain after his March 31 start and didn’t return until June 16.

Brown has a 6.38 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against the Orioles. Leody Taveras is 3-for-14 with a triple. Taylor Ward is 3-for-10 with a double. Adley Rutschman is 2-for-5 with a homer.

Henderson is 0-for-10 against Brown.  

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

Brandon Young RHP

The Red Sox list their starters against the Orioles as left-hander Payton Tolle, TBD and left-hander Jake Bennett.

On this date in 1991, Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 1,500th consecutive game and hit his 20th home run.

On this date in 2008, Luke Scott belted a home run in the 10th inning that became the first walk-off homer to land on Eutaw Street in the ballpark’s history.