The Baltimore Orioles wrap up their Wednesday night schedule at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, hosting the Cleveland Guardians on September 9, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:35 PM ET. Shane Baz gets the ball for Baltimore opposite Cleveland left-hander Foster Griffin. With the calendar deep into September, every game carries real weight in the AL standings, and this one pits a veteran-loaded Orioles lineup against a Guardians club built around one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League in José Ramírez. Catch it on MASN or on the radio at WBAL 1090 AM.

Probable Pitchers: Shane Baz vs. Foster Griffin

Shane Baz draws the start for the O's. The right-hander has shown the kind of arm talent that made him a coveted acquisition, and a strong September outing here could do a lot for Baltimore's positioning down the stretch. The opposition sends Foster Griffin to the hill — a left-hander who will have to navigate a Baltimore lineup stacked with right-handed power. This is a matchup worth watching early: how Griffin handles the heart of Baltimore's order in the first two trips through will likely set the tone for the entire game.

Baltimore Orioles Lineup

• 1. Dylan Beavers, LF
• 2. Pete Alonso, 1B
• 3. Coby Mayo, DH
• 4. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B
• 5. Jackson Holliday, SS
• 6. Rece Hinds, CF
• 7. Jeremiah Jackson, 2B
• 8. Leody Taveras, RF
• 9. Carlos Narváez, C

That is a lineup with serious thump in the middle. Pete Alonso batting second gives manager Brandon Hyde a legitimate run-producer right at the top of the order. Coby Mayo slots in at the three-hole, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand anchors the cleanup spot — a right-handed presence who can punish a left-handed starter. Jackson Holliday hitting fifth continues to give Baltimore length in an already deep order.

Cleveland Guardians Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan, CF
• 2. Chase DeLauter, RF
• 3. José Ramírez, 3B
• 4. Jo Adell, LF
• 5. Travis Bazzana, DH
• 6. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
• 7. Angel Genao, 2B
• 8. Patrick Bailey, C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

José Ramírez batting third is the story on Cleveland's side, full stop. He is the kind of hitter who can single-handedly change a game, and Baz has to locate his pitches carefully every time Ramírez comes to the plate. Steven Kwan at the top of the order is a disciplined presence who makes pitchers work, and Travis Bazzana in the five-hole gives the Guardians another dangerous bat to worry about in the middle innings.

Keys to Watch Wednesday Night

• Baz against Ramírez: This is the matchup within the matchup. How Baz attacks Cleveland's best hitter — especially with men on base — will define his night.
• Griffin vs. the right-handed power: Alonso, Encarnacion-Strand, and Mayo are all capable of leaving the yard. If Griffin leaves pitches over the plate, Camden Yards will let him know about it.
• Jackson Holliday's at-bats: Holliday batting fifth suggests the team is leaning on his production in run-scoring situations. His plate discipline in key spots could be the difference in a close game.
• Bullpen management: September games with playoff implications demand smart deployment of relief arms. Watch which relievers Hyde turns to if Baz runs into trouble.

Prediction

Baltimore's lineup has a clear advantage against a left-handed starter, and pitching at Camden Yards with a rested Baz is a position the Orioles should be able to exploit. The middle of this order — Alonso, Mayo, Encarnacion-Strand — has the firepower to make Griffin pay for any mistake early. Expect a competitive game, but give the edge to the home side. Orioles 5, Guardians 3.