Orioles (35-35) vs. Indians (37-32)
Where: Camden Yards
First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 FM
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (3-6, 6.60 ERA) vs. Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.21 ERA)
What to watch
1. Somehow. The fact that the Orioles have slowed their own collapse while the New York Yankees have continued theirs has tightened the suddenly strange American League East standings. The Orioles, thanks to seven straight Yankees losses, are just 4 1/2 games behind the now-first-place Boston Red Sox after three wins in four games. But they've got the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays ahead of them, and are just one game out of last place. The Toronto Blue Jays have stayed afloat to make it so the whole division is separated by just 5 1/2 games. The Orioles need to keep winning if they don't want to sink to the bottom.
2. The streak continues. The Orioles turn to Kevin Gausman hoping to finally put an end to their American League record streak of allowing at least five runs in 17 straight games. The Orioles need to allow five runs in their next three games to match the major league record of 20, set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies. Gausman is 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in three starts since that streak began on June 3. Gausman's struggles seem to be deepening, as he allowed 12 runs in nine innings over his past two starts. He'll need to be much better to help put that dubious run to an end.
3. One-game boom. After going hitless in three of five games, Manny Machado went 4-for-4 with a double, two homers, four RBIs and three runs scored Tuesday to give his season totals a big boost. His average climbed from .214 to .227, and his OPS went from .706 to .753. Can it finally be the start of something for the Orioles third baseman?
Orioles lineup
Latest Orioles
RF Seth Smith
3B Manny Machado
CF Adam Jones
DH Mark Trumbo
1B Trey Mancini
2B Jonathan Schoop
LF Hyun Soo Kim
C Caleb Joseph
SS Paul Janish
