Orioles (68-56) vs. Nationals (73-51)
Where: Camden Yards
First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (4-10, 4.11 ERA) vs. Nationals RHP Reynaldo Lopez (2-1, 4.37 ERA)
What to watch
1. Young hurlers: The finale of this two-game home series against the Nationals brings another meeting of young right-handers with 25-year-old Kevin Gausman facing 22-year-old Reynaldo Lopez. Gausman had a 3.18 ERA in his three starts before allowing five runs (four earned), almost all after being handed a big early lead, in 6 2/3 innings his last time out. Lopez is considered one of the top 100 prospects in baseball, and after starting his career with two unimpressive starts, he has looked quite good during his latest stint in the majors. He has allowed three runs (two earned) in 14 innings over two seven-inning starts since rejoining the club 10 days ago. Will Gausman get back on track and will the Orioles do damage against Lopez?
2. Schoop riding high: Jonathan Schoop has quietly begun heating up with hits in six straight games, batting .381/.381/.667 with two home runs and three RBIs during that time. Part of it is luck, as he's batting .375 on balls in play over the past six contests after hitting .244 on balls in play as he struggled to a .215/.240/.380 line over his previous 31 games. Will Schoop be able to keep this run going?
3. Standings watch: The time for standings watching for real has arrived, and the American League East is far and away the tightest race in baseball. The Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are all within two games of each other. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are tied for the division lead at 70-54, and the Orioles sit two games back. The Red Sox continue their series against the Tampa Bay Rays while the Blue Jays open a series against the Los Angeles Angels tonight. Can the Orioles gain ground, facing the best team of the three?
Orioles lineup
CF Adam Jones
LF Steve Pearce
3B Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
2B Jonathan Schoop
DH Pedro Alvarez
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy