Orioles and Athletics battle it out in Sacramento with wild-card stakes on the line
The Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics are playing a three-game series at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, with Baltimore fighting for an AL Wild Card spot and Oakland looking to play spoiler.
Series in Sacramento
The Baltimore Orioles and the Athletics are meeting for a three-game series at Sutter Health Park. In Friday night's series opener, the Orioles won 4-3 in 10 innings, leaving them two games back of the final American League Wild Card spot heading into Saturday's game.
Lineups and health notes
The Orioles got a boost before Saturday's game with the reinstatement of Blaze Alexander from the injured list; he started Friday but is out of Saturday's lineup. Jackson Holliday returns to the leadoff spot, while Gunnar Henderson bats third after being used as a pinch-runner the previous night. Pete Alonso is serving as designated hitter with Coby Mayo at first base. Alonso is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts over his last two games, while Mayo has gone 6-for-19 with a home run over his last five games.
The Athletics, meanwhile, activated left-handed reliever José Suarez from the injured list ahead of the series, optioning fellow lefty Drew Rom to Triple-A in a corresponding move. The club hopes Suarez can strengthen a bullpen that ranks last in the majors. Separately, longtime pitching coach Rick Rodriguez announced his retirement after 43 seasons with the organization.
Starting pitchers
Friday's game featured A's left-hander Jacob Lopez (5-4, 4.98 ERA), who has been one of Oakland's most consistent starters since the All-Star break, posting a 2.33 ERA over his last seven starts. He faced Orioles right-hander Brandon Young (9-3, 3.50 ERA).
For Saturday, the Orioles turn to right-hander Shane Baz, who is seeking his first win since June 12 and has received the majors' lowest run support (1.95 runs per start) among pitchers with at least 50 innings since June 18. Baz enters with a 4-14 record and a 4.04 ERA. The Athletics counter with right-hander Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA).
Context
The Athletics have won just eight of their last 28 games but came into the series having just won two straight against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles have won five of their last seven games, though Friday's game snapped a 15-game streak of hitting at least one home run. This marks the first meeting between the two clubs since the Orioles traded former No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox.
