(Interstat) — Athletics at Orioles Preview

The Athletics (18-18) visit the Baltimore Orioles (17-20) on Friday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature of 59 degrees.

Oakland enters the game at .500 after a 6-3 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Athletics have dropped three of their past four games. Baltimore snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-4 win at Miami the same night.

Right-hander Jeffrey Springs (1-3, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Athletics. In his most recent outing Wednesday at Philadelphia, he allowed two earned runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts in a losing effort. Springs has yielded at least four earned runs in two of his past three starts. His best performance this season came April 14 against Texas, when he gave up one earned run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 2-1 victory.

The Orioles will counter with right-hander Brandon Young (2-1, 5.74 ERA). Young earned the win Wednesday at Miami, allowing three earned runs on four hits over six innings with five strikeouts. He struggled in his previous start April 29 against Houston, surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits in four innings.

Both pitchers have shown inconsistency, making the bullpens a potential factor. Oakland’s relievers have posted a 4.20 ERA this season, while Baltimore’s bullpen owns a 4.45 mark.

Players to watch

Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom homered and drove in a run in Wednesday’s loss. He is hitting .265 with six home runs and 18 RBIs this season.

Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer Wednesday and has 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. Catcher Adley Rutschman went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the same game and is batting .298.

Simulation

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for the Athletics.

Series outlook

The three-game series continues Saturday and Sunday at Camden Yards. After the series, the Athletics return home for a six-game homestand against St. Louis and San Francisco beginning Tuesday. The Orioles host the New York Yankees for a three-game series starting Monday.