The Orioles are getting Coby Mayo back in the lineup tonight, with the young infielder serving as the designated hitter after being scratched from Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader and missing the last four games. Tyler O’Neill will bat seventh and start in right field, followed by Blaze Alexander at third base and Jeremiah Jackson at second. Against Rays left-hander Steven Matz, the Orioles will also leave Samuel Basallo, Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday on the bench as they look to finish a sweep before the Blue Jays arrive in Baltimore.
Adley Rutschman continues to provide one of the team’s most encouraging signs at the plate. When he is ahead in the count this season, he is hitting .435 with a .870 slugging percentage, far above league averages in those situations. Taylor Ward, leading off again, has experienced a sharp month-to-month split. He has struggled in May, batting .173 with a .340 on-base percentage and .235 slugging percentage in 23 games, compared with a much stronger start to the season. Even so, manager Craig Albernaz said Ward’s at-bats have been strong and urged patience, suggesting the results should be judged over a longer stretch.
There was also positive injury news for outfielder Dylan Beavers, who is on the 15-day injured list with a strained oblique. He began a hitting progression in Sarasota on Tuesday, a step forward in his recovery. Meanwhile, the Orioles’ minor league system produced several notable performances. In High-A Frederick’s 5-4 loss at Jersey Shore, Boston Bateman allowed one earned run and two total runs on two hits across five innings while striking out seven. Ike Irish added an RBI single from right field, and shortstop Wehiwa Aloy stayed hot with another hit, improving his season line to .307 with a .921 OPS.
At Double-A Chesapeake, second baseman Aron Estrada delivered one of the biggest offensive nights in the system, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored in Erie. First baseman Anderson De Los Santos was even more productive at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs.
The Orioles’ lineup against the Rays features Taylor Ward in left field, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Adley Rutschman catching, Pete Alonso at first base, Mayo at DH, Leody Taveras in center, O’Neill in right, Alexander at third, and Jackson at second. Trey Gibson is scheduled to start on the mound for Baltimore. The Rays counter with Chandler Simpson in left, Junior Caminero at third, Jonathan Aranda at first, Yandy Díaz at DH, Richie Palacios at second, Ryan Vilade in right, Cedric Mullins in center, Carson Williams at shortstop and Hunter Feduccia catching, with Matz taking the ball as their starter.
The Rays also made a bullpen move, adding former Orioles right-hander Jonathan Heasley and optioning Trevor Martin. Looking ahead to the series against Toronto at Camden Yards, the Orioles’ probable pitchers are Chris Bassitt vs. Patrick Corbin on Thursday, Trevor Rogers vs. an announced opponent on Friday, Brandon Young vs. Trey Yesavage on Saturday, and Kyle Bradish vs. an unannounced starter on Sunday.
