Friday night game thread: vs Braves, 7:05

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 6: Jorge Mateo #2 of the Atlanta Braves stands at third base during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When you are trying to chase down several other teams in the playoff race, and games between now and the trade deadline are running short, every series feels big. This weekend’s clash with the Atlanta Braves is no different. Our very own John Beers provided a run down of the matchup earlier today.

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The Orioles lineup lacks some bite without Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, but they put up a fight against the Red Sox earlier in the week, which included snapping their rivals’ 15-game winning streak. A win for the Orioles tonight will make it two in a row for them, en route to another streak of their own.

They have the right pitcher on the mound to make it happen. The Orioles have won each of Trevor Rogers’ last five starts. The lefty has done a lot of the heavy lifting, allowing three total runs across 30.2 innings in that stretch. That translates to a 0.88 ERA. Pretty good!

Grant Holmes, the Braves starter, allowed three runs in his last start alone. So, the momentum is with Rogers. Holmes is a good pitcher, though. He just doesn’t tend to go very deep into a game. The last time he threw more than five innings in an appearance came seven starts ago on June 3rd.

It’s worth noting that Dylan Beavers will bat leadoff in this one. That’s the first time he has had that role this season and just the third time he has ever done it as a big leaguer. Tony Mansolino used him atop the order twice in late September last year. The outfielder is batting .462 over his last five games, including a 2-for-4 performance in the finale with Boston. Craig Albernaz has been more willing to change the lineup to find something that clicks. Beavers makes just as much sense as anyone else right now.

Orioles lineup

  1. Dylan Beavers, LF
  2. Pete Alonso, 1B
  3. Gunnar Henderson, SS
  4. Taylor Ward, DH
  5. Colton Cowser, CF
  6. Leody Taveras, RF
  7. Jackson Holliday, 2B
  8. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B
  9. Chadwick Tromp, C

LHP Trevor Rogers (6-7, 4.28 ERA)

Braves lineup

  1. Drake Baldwin, DH
  2. Ozzie Albies, 2B
  3. Matt Olson, 1B
  4. Michael Harris II, CF
  5. Mauricio Dubón, LF
  6. Austin Riley, 3B
  7. Eli White, RF
  8. Joey Bart, C
  9. Jorge Mateo, SS

RHP Grant Holmes (6-4, 3.70 ERA)

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