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Orioles vs. Royals, Wild Card Game 2 Lineups
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Orioles vs. Royals, Wild Card Game 2 Lineups

Playing time: 4:38 PM ET

Where to watch: ESPN, espn.com

Where to listen: 98 Rock FM (97.9) WBAL Newsradio AM (1090), ESPN Radio

Orioles lineup

  1. Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
  2. Jordan Westburg (R) 2B
  3. Anthony Santander (S) RF
  4. Colton Cowser (L) LF
  5. Adley Rutschman (S) C
  6. Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
  7. Ryan Mountcastle (right) 1B
  8. Cedric Mullins (L) CF
  9. Ramón Urías (R) 3B

Starting pitcher: Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.59 ERA, 134 K)

Not much has changed between Game 1 and Game 2 for the Orioles. James McCann takes a seat while Rutschman is back behind the plate, and O’Hearn is ready to face right-hander Seth Lugo. All others retain their places after failing to score a point in the opener. That’s not necessarily a bad decision, but it does mean that Jackson Holliday and Austin Slater will have to wait a little longer for their playoff debuts.

The O’s entire current roster is 12-for-32 against Lugo all-time. Slater has faced him the most (3-for-6 with a double). Cowser has a home run and a walk off him. Westburg has also left him deeply. Fingers crossed that today goes better!

Royals lineup

  1. Michael Massey (L) 2B
  2. Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
  3. Vinnie Pasquantino (L) DH
  4. Salvador Perez (R) C
  5. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
  6. MJ Melendez (L) LF
  7. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
  8. Kyle Isabel (L) CF
  9. Maikel Garcia (R) 3B

Starting pitcher: RHP Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA, 181 K)

This lineup is nearly identical to the one they played with in Game 1 of the series. The only change will be in right field, where Hunter Renfroe will take over for Tommy Pham. Renfroe has very good career numbers against Eflin (5-for-13, two doubles, home run), but the sample size is quite small.

Eflin faced these Royals on July 4 as a member of the Rays. He wasn’t doing well! Over five innings, he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Of course, this offense has continued to sputter since then, and nothing they did in Game 1 will strike fear in our hearts. But it could still be better than the Orioles’ bats can do.