Rich Dubroff

Ward leads off again for Orioles, Mayo sits for first time

BALTIMORE—For the fifth time in five games, Taylor Ward is leading off for the Orioles. The 32-year-old outfielder is hitting .133 (2-for-15). Both of his hits were singles. Last year, Ward hit .228 with a .792 OPS with 36 home runs and 103 RBIs in 157 games for the Los Angeles Angels.

Ward hit leadoff for the first 22 games for the Angels last season, batting .220 with 6 home runs, 9 RBIs and a .719 OPS.

Most often last season, Ward hit fourth. In 99 games in the cleanup spot, he batted .224 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs with a .767 OPS. He also batted third in 30 games, hitting .248 with 9 home runs, 18 RBIs and a .913 OPS.

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“It all depends. The biggest thing is managing the at-bat,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Seeing pitches and working the count. The leadoff hitter, you only lead off once. Outside of that, you’re a normal hitter. The only thing that changes is that you’re hitting first in the top of the first or the bottom of the first, and then it’s status quo after that.

‘’It just comes down to what two or three guys you want to get the most plate appearances that game.”

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson and first baseman Pete Alonso will follow Ward in the batting order for the fifth straight time.

Third baseman Coby Mayo is on the bench for the first time. Blaze Alexander is playing third, and Jeremiah Jackson is at second.

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The Orioles will face Texas right-hander Jacob deGrom after his start was pushed back because of neck stiffness. He compiled a 2.97 ERA with 185 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings for the Rangers last season.

Here are the lineups for both teams:

ORIOLES

Zach Eflin | RHP

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RANGERS

Jacob deGrom | RHP

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: rich@baltimorebaseball.com

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Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.