Preview: Athletics at Orioles

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Athletics visit the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, looking to build on a narrow victory in the series opener.

Oakland (20-18) took Friday’s game 4-3, snapping a four-game skid. The Athletics will start right-hander Aaron Civale (3-1) as they aim for a second straight win. Baltimore (17-22) counters with a starter yet to be announced after dropping five of its last six.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT under partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 68 degrees.

The teams are meeting for the second of a three-game weekend set. After Saturday, they close the series Sunday afternoon before the Orioles host the New York Yankees and the Athletics return home to face the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pitching matchups

Civale has been steady for Oakland, posting a 3-1 record. He last pitched May 2 against Cleveland, allowing six earned runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 14-6 loss.

Baltimore has not named a starter for Saturday.

Players to watch

Athletics left-hander Jacob Lopez has been effective in recent outings. In Friday’s win, he threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Over his last six appearances, Lopez has a 4-2 record with a 4.82 ERA.

Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish took the loss Friday despite a strong outing. He worked seven innings, surrendering three earned runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts. In his previous start, Bradish lasted only four innings, giving up five earned runs to the Yankees.

Betting lines

Baltimore is installed as a -1.5 favorite, according to Interstat. The over/under is set at nine runs.

Interstat’s ELO system gives the Orioles a 52.6% probability to win. The game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for the Athletics.

Recent results

Oakland entered Friday on a four-game losing streak after being swept in a three-game series at Philadelphia and dropping two of three at home to Cleveland. The Athletics have won four of their last 10.

Baltimore has lost five of its last six, including a 4-3 defeat in Friday’s opener. The Orioles were swept in a four-game series at New York before splitting two games in Miami earlier this week.

Series history

The Athletics have won the first meeting of this three-game series. The teams play Sunday before the Orioles head to Washington and the Athletics host San Francisco.