The Baltimore Orioles return to Camden Yards on Tuesday, July 7 to host the Chicago Cubs in a 6:35 PM ET first pitch. Shane Baz gets the ball for Baltimore, squaring off against left-hander Matthew Boyd on the mound for Chicago. With a lineup that includes Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Pete Alonso anchoring the middle of the order, the O's have the offensive firepower to make this a tough night for any visiting staff. The Cubs counter with a legitimate lineup built around Alex Bregman and Seiya Suzuki. This one has the makings of a genuinely competitive midseason ballgame under the Camden Yards lights.

Pitching Matchup: Shane Baz vs. Matthew Boyd

Shane Baz draws the start for the Orioles, and this is a start worth watching closely. Baz has the stuff to miss bats and keep a deep Cubs lineup off-balance, but the Cubs are not a lineup that rolls over quietly. Boyd brings veteran experience to the visitor's side — he's a crafty left-hander who works off his fastball command and relies on keeping hitters guessing with his secondary offerings. Neither pitcher has a statistical line available heading into tonight, so the performance itself will do the talking. What happens in the first two innings often sets the tone for how far these starters will go.

Baltimore Orioles Lineup and Keys to Watch

• Gunnar Henderson (SS, No. 3): Henderson is the engine of this offense. When he's locked in, the Orioles' lineup is a different animal. Watch how Boyd tries to navigate around him.
• Adley Rutschman (C, No. 2): Batting second and managing Baz's game behind the plate, Rutschman's two-way impact could be decisive on a night where pitch sequencing matters.
• Pete Alonso (1B, No. 4): Cleanup is where games get decided. Alonso provides the kind of protection in the order that keeps opposing managers uncomfortable throughout.
• Jackson Holliday (2B, No. 9): Hitting ninth, Holliday essentially functions as a second table-setter. How he performs in the top of the order's cycling matters more than the lineup slot suggests.
• Samuel Basallo (DH, No. 6): Keep an eye on the young designated hitter. Basallo represents the kind of upside that can change a game in a single at-bat.

Chicago Cubs Lineup Threats

Baltimore cannot afford to take this Cubs lineup lightly. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off and creates problems on the bases. Alex Bregman batting second brings a disciplined, professional at-bat every time he steps in. Seiya Suzuki in the cleanup spot is a legitimate power threat, and Ian Happ provides left-handed balance in the five hole. Nico Hoerner's contact ability at six rounds out what is a genuinely difficult lineup to navigate from top to bottom. Baz will need his command working early.

Prediction

Camden Yards gives the Orioles a tangible home-field edge, and with Henderson, Rutschman, and Alonso in the heart of the order, Baltimore has the offensive depth to generate runs against Boyd. Baz's ability to limit the Cubs' middle-of-the-order damage will be the deciding factor. Expect a close, well-played ballgame. Orioles 4, Cubs 2.