Baseball Preview: Padres at Orioles

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The weather forecast calls for 89-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

San Diego (36-33) is projected to start right-hander Walker Buehler (3-3) — listed as the probable pitcher in the team’s initial rotation order — though left-hander Trevor Rogers (3-6) also remains a candidate for the assignment. The Padres have not formally announced their starter. Baltimore (34-38) had not named a starter as of Saturday night.

The series is tied 1-1 after the Padres’ 9-3 victory Saturday and the Orioles’ 7-3 win Friday.

Padres left fielder Samad Taylor is a player to watch. Taylor went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs in Saturday’s win and is 10 for 23 (.435) with two homers and eight RBIs over his past six games.

Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso also is worth watching. Alonso went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs on Saturday and is 12 for 30 (.400) with four homers and 10 RBIs over his past eight contests.

San Diego ranks third in the National League West, 7 1/2 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Baltimore sits fourth in the American League East, eight games behind the New York Yankees.

The Padres are 4-6 in their last 10 games; the Orioles are 5-5 in their last 10.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 4-3 Baltimore victory. The Orioles opened as a -1.5 run favorite. The over/under is 9.5 total runs.

After Sunday, San Diego visits St. Louis for three games starting Monday. Baltimore travels to Seattle for a three-game set beginning Tuesday.