DENVER—After Wednesday’s game, the Orioles return home for their final 22 games. All will be in the Eastern time zone, 19 are against contenders and 13 are against the American League East.

On the upcoming homestand, the Orioles play four games against the Boston Red Sox and three against the Cleveland Guardians.

“Definitely excited,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “All of our guys are excited. That’s why we play the 162-game season, and to come down to the final stretch, and it’s against division opponents, against contenders, that’s what you want. Any competitor will tell you that.”

The Orioles enter Wednesday’s game against Colorado trailing the Guardians by 1 ½ games for the third and final wild-card spot.

“You want to go against the best to see where you’re at because they’re in the playoff hunt as well,” Albernaz said. “That’s where the best baseball is played. That’s where our guys come out and play their best baseball. We’re excited. It will be fun. We’re definitely looking forward to that.”

Luis Robert will play his first game for the Orioles, who’ll face Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitched for them last season.

“We have a game here still,” Albernaz said. “Our mind is still here. In the back of our mind, we know what’s ahead of us, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Note: Thursday’s game will be shown exclusively on FOX. Game time is 7:15 p.m. … The Orioles have not announced their starters for the series.

Orioles-Rockies lineups:

Orioles

Jackson Holliday-DH

Pete Alonso-1B

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Luis Robert Jr.-LF

Samuel Basallo-C

Coby Mayo-3B

Dylan Beavers-RF

Blaze Alexander-2B

Colton Cowser-CF

Trevor Rogers-LHP

Rockies

Jake McCarthy-LF

Connor Norby-3B

Hunter Goodman-C

TJ Rumfield-1B

Cole Carrigg-CF

Jordan Beck-LF

Adael Amador-DH

Ryan Ritter-2B

Ezequiel Tovar-SS

Tomoyuki Sugano-RHP

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]