The Orioles begin a 10-game homestand tonight, if the rain subsides long enough to let it happen. They’re 21-29 with six losses in their last eight games.

Left-hander Keegan Akin is the opener, again going before Chris Bassitt. He retired the three Athletics batters he faced in the first inning on May 10, and Bassitt followed by allowing one run in six innings.

Akin made three scoreless appearances as the opener in 2025 totaling 3 2/3 innings.

Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter tonight. His .345 average this month ranks second in the American League behind Detroit’s Riley Greene (.397) in a minimum 50 plate appearances, and his .582 slugging percentage is fifth.

Basallo is the only AL player in the top five in both categories in May.

Leody Taveras is playing center field, Colton Cowser is in right, Coby Mayo is at third base and Jackson Holliday is at second.

The Orioles have scored three runs or fewer in 10 of their last 13 games.

Bassitt has a 5.44 ERA and 1.698 WHIP in nine appearances, including eight starts. He’s posted a 3.88 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers over 60 1/3 innings.

In his last two home appearances, Bassitt has worked at least six innings, allowed one run and struck out at least six batters. Per STATS, the only Orioles to reach those marks in three consecutive home games are Ben McDonald (1993), Scott Kamieniecki (1997), Mike Mussina (2000) and Erik Bedard (2006, 2007).

Former Orioles right-hander Jack Flaherty is 0-5 with a 5.77 ERA and 1.603 WHIP in 10 outings. He’s walked 29 batters in 43 2/3 innings.

Flaherty hasn’t earned a win in his 10 starts this season, the longest streak to begin a season in his career.

Flaherty allowed three runs in six innings in his only career start against the Orioles. He’s made four career appearances (three starts) at Camden Yards and gone 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA in 15 2/3 innings.

The Tigers have lost six in a row, nine of 10 and 14 of 16 to land in last place in the American League Central. They’re 7-19 on the road and 9-24 in night games. They’ve gone 5-18 when the opponent scores first and 6-25 when scoring four runs or fewer.

Greene is batting .326/.422/.475 in 51 games. He leads the American League in average and is second in on-base percentage.

The Orioles went 1-5 against the Tigers last season, scoring 10 runs in their win and a combined nine in the losses. Per STATS, the Orioles are 8-0 against Detroit when scoring five runs or more and 4-20 when scoring four or less.

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

Chris Bassitt RHP

Tonight’s game airs exclusively on Apple TV.

Ravens safety Malaki Starks is throwing out the first pitch tonight. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley will throw out the first pitch Thursday and serve as guest splasher.

Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Will Robertson was transferred from the seven-day to the 60-day injured list.

According to the minor league transactions, the Florida Complex League Orioles activated outfielder Tommy Pham.

Infielder Elvin Garcia, 19, was promoted to Single-A Delmarva. Garcia hit .368/.429/.421 in 12 games in the FCL after a broken hand sidelined him last summer.