The Baltimore Orioles open the door at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, September 18, hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for a 7:05 PM ET first pitch. Milwaukee sends right-hander Dustin May to the mound, while Baltimore's starter has yet to be announced. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight, and this one is no exception — the Orioles will need a sharp performance at home against a Brewers lineup that features some legitimate offensive weapons.

Pitching Matchup: Dustin May Faces an Unannounced Baltimore Starter

Dustin May gets the ball for Milwaukee. The right-hander has had an up-and-down career marked by Tommy John surgery, and his effectiveness on any given night tends to hinge on his ability to generate ground balls and keep his sinker down in the zone. Baltimore's starter has not been officially confirmed as of this writing, so the Orioles' pitching plan for Friday night remains a question mark heading into the game. Watch the pregame lineup card for that announcement.

Orioles Lineup Built Around a Dangerous Middle

Baltimore's lineup for Friday night is loaded with intriguing names top to bottom. Dylan Beavers leads off from left field, with Pete Alonso batting second at first base — a potentially fearsome run-producer in that spot. Gunnar Henderson slots into the three-hole at shortstop, his natural home in the heart of a dangerous order. Coby Mayo bats cleanup at third base, giving the Orioles a power threat in the four spot. Samuel Basallo rounds out a formidable 3-4-5 sequence at catcher, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the DH role at six. Colton Cowser, Jeremiah Jackson, and Leody Taveras fill out the bottom third of the order.

Brewers Lineup Features Chourio and Yelich

Milwaukee counters with a lineup that deserves respect. Jackson Chourio leads off in left field — one of the more electric young outfielders in the game. Brice Turang bats second at second base, with William Contreras catching and hitting third. Andrew Vaughn occupies first base and bats fourth. Christian Yelich, the former MVP, slots in at DH batting fifth, and remains a threat to do damage at any point in a game. Joey Ortiz, Garrett Mitchell, Luis Lara, and Cooper Pratt round out the Brewers' nine.

Keys to Watch Friday Night

• Henderson and Alonso vs. May: If Baltimore's middle of the order can get to May early and drive up his pitch count, the Orioles can put this one away before Milwaukee's bullpen ever enters the conversation.
• Baltimore's Mystery Starter: The unannounced Orioles starter is the biggest variable on the board. Whoever takes the hill needs to neutralize Chourio and keep Yelich from finding a rhythm.
• Basallo Behind the Plate: Samuel Basallo's pitch-framing and game-calling will matter against a Brewers lineup with enough veteran savvy to exploit any early-count patterns.
• Bottom of the Order: Cowser, Jackson, and Taveras batting 7-8-9 gives Baltimore a sneaky productive bottom third. If they can get on base ahead of Beavers and Alonso, the Orioles' lineup turns over in a hurry.

Prediction

Until Baltimore names a starter, this game has a sizable uncertainty baked in. That said, the Orioles lineup is deep and dangerous enough to give any opponent fits at Camden Yards. Dustin May is capable of a quality start, but Baltimore's offense — anchored by Henderson, Alonso, and Mayo — should be able to do enough damage. Orioles win, 5-3, in a game decided by the middle of the Baltimore order doing exactly what it's built to do.