The Orioles (43-51) open a three-game home series against the Kansas City Royals (38-56) on Friday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with both clubs having won just four of their last ten games and sitting in last place in their divisions.
Baltimore took the finale in a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, edging the Cubs 3-2 behind a strong outing from Trevor Rogers, who went six innings allowing one earned run while striking out four. Tyler O'Neill provided a solo home run, and Jeremiah Jackson drove in two runs on a pinch-hit go-ahead double in the eighth. Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge each threw a clean inning in relief to close it out.
Kansas City, in the bottom of the AL Central, arrives having dropped two straight and sits eight games below .500, just like the Orioles. So, it's an opportunity for both teams to make up a little ground in the standings in a final series before the All-Star break.
The Royals send right-hander Luinder Avila (4-3, 5.05 ERA) to the mound Friday. Brandon Young (7-2, 3.38 ERA) takes the hill for the O's, looking to build on a strong first half. With the trade deadline 21 days out, wins in this series matter for clarifying how GM Mike Elias and the O's front office may handle the roster the rest of this season.
Probable Starters
Kansas City Royals: Luinder Avila (4-3, 5.05 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: Brandon Young (7-2, 3.38 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 7:05 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 77°F, Mostly Clear, 22% chance of precipitation
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)