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BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs, riding a 50-40 record and coming off a 6-4 victory over St. Louis, visit the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles enter at 42-49 after a 3-2 loss at Cincinnati on Sunday.

Right-hander Javier Assad (4-0 in his last four starts, though none longer than six innings) will start for Chicago. He allowed no earned runs on two hits over 4 2/3 innings Sunday, striking out two in the win over the Cardinals. In his prior outing, Assad surrendered four runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings against San Diego, but he threw six scoreless innings on three hits at San Francisco on June 12. The Cubs, winners of four of their last six, have averaged 7.8 runs in their last four victories, including a 23-3 rout of San Diego on July 1.

Baltimore sends right-hander Kyle Bradish to the mound. Bradish took a tough-luck loss Sunday in Cincinnati, allowing three earned runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. He was sharper in a 6-1 win at the Los Angeles Angels on June 22, pitching eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. However, he was hit hard in his home start June 11 against Seattle, giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings. Baltimore enters after splitting a four-game series in Cincinnati and has lost three of its last four at home.

The forecast calls for 84 degrees and rain, adding uncertainty to both bullpens. Chicago’s Jacob Webb has pitched two scoreless innings over his past two appearances. The Cubs’ offense has been explosive at times, scoring at least six runs in four of their last five wins.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 victory for the Cubs, who are installed as a -1.5 favorite. The over/under is 9.

Following Tuesday’s opener, the teams meet again Wednesday and Thursday, then the Cubs travel to Cincinnati for a three-game set while Baltimore returns home to host Kansas City.

AP sports writer.