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Austin Hays remains out of the Orioles’ lineup tonight with soreness in his left side.

Brett Phillips makes his first Orioles start, playing left field for the series opener against the Pirates.

Terrin Vavra is the designated hitter tonight.

Ryan Mountcastle is looking for his first home run since July 3. He’s 5-for-46 in his last 12 games.

Dean Kremer has allowed 13 runs and 23 hits in his last three starts over 13 2/3 innings.

The Orioles are 9-1 against the Pirates at home. They swept a two-game series in 2017 and a three-game series in 2012.

The day began with the Orioles two games back in the wild card race, tying them with the Guardians.

The Pirates are starting right-hander Mitch Keller, who has a 4.37 ERA and 1.416 WHIP in 20 games (18 starts). In his last four starts, he allowed five earned runs and 20 hits with five walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Four quality starts in a row, and only two home runs surrendered.

Left-handers hit .316/.397/.462 against Keller in his four major league seasons spanning 59 games.

The Pirates just swept the Brewers in a three-games series but are 43-62, including 19-33 on the road.

Pittsburgh’s .221 average was the second lowest in the majors yesterday, and its .655 OPS was third from the bottom. The 381 runs scored were third lowest.

The staff’s 4.61 ERA ranked 26th. The bullpen’s 4.44 ERA ranked 27th.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Terrin Vavra DH
Ramón Urías 3B
Rougned Odor 2B
Jorge Mateo SS
Brett Phillips LF

Dean Kremer RHP