The visiting Baltimore Orioles continue a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in a matchup of two last-place teams.
While the clubs may be far removed from playoff contention, both are viewing every remaining game as an opportunity to build momentum toward next season.
Baltimore (70-80) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory on Monday behind center fielder Colton Cowser, who hit a three-run blast for his second homer in as many games and 15th of the season.
Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday had two hits and is batting .373 (22-for-59) during a career-high 16-game on-base streak.
Baltimore reliever Dietrich Enns struck out four over three perfect innings for his second save. The left-hander has emerged as a key piece of the team’s bullpen since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 31.
“(When) we got the call that we got Dietrich Enns, I probably didn’t really get that excited at the time, but boy am I excited right now,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “He’s really good, and I think he’s definitely kind of forcing his way onto this thing going forward. He’s been tough.”
The Orioles have won 10 of their past 11 meetings against the White Sox (57-94), who struck out 15 times in the Monday defeat.
Chicago has lost four straight and will need to win six of its final 11 games to avoid a third straight 100-loss season.
With another last-place finish looming, White Sox manager Will Venable is focused on wrapping up the team’s encouraging second half on a high note.
“We talk about how meaningful these games are for us,” Venable said. “We know that we don’t have playoff implications, but we certainly have a lot of things internally that are important to us.”
Chicago will send Shane Smith (6-7, 3.78 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday. He tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
The 25-year-old right-hander improved to 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 44 1/3 innings over eight starts since returning from an ankle injury last month.
“To start out so well and in the middle of the year (have to) find himself again, and to finish strong here, he’s somebody who finds ways to be effective even when he doesn’t have his best stuff,” Venable said.
Smith will be making his first career appearance against the Orioles.
Baltimore will counter with right-hander Dean Kremer (9-10, 4.43 ERA), who exited his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 5 after three hitless innings due to right forearm discomfort.
Kremer, 29, was cleared for the Tuesday start after completing a successful bullpen session on Friday.
“All the checkpoints have gone really well, so we have zero concern where he’s at medically,” Mansolino said. “If there were any concern at all, he wouldn’t be going out there.”
Mike Tauchman is 3-for-8 with a home run against Kremer, who is 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in three career starts vs. the White Sox. He allowed one run over six innings in a 4-2 win over Chicago on May 31.