Tuesday, June 24 | First Pitch: 5:35 p.m. CT | Oriole Park at Camden Yards
The Texas Rangers will look to even the series Tuesday night when left-hander Jake Latz takes the mound against a surging Baltimore Orioles offense led by Ryan O’Hearn and Jackson Holliday.
Baltimore enters the game as a slight favorite with -136 moneyline odds, while Texas stands as the underdog at +115. The Orioles are also favored on the run line (-1.5), with the over/under set at 9.5 total runs, suggesting another potentially high-scoring affair following Monday’s 6-0 Baltimore victory.
Pitching Matchup
Jake Latz makes a key start for Texas, hoping to cool down a red-hot Orioles lineup. Latz will need to navigate a batting order headlined by O’Hearn, who leads Baltimore with a .305 average and has consistently produced tough at-bats all season.
Baltimore has not yet announced a starter for Game 2, but their offense has carried the load in recent weeks.
Players to Watch – Orioles
- Ryan O’Hearn: Batting a team-high .305, O’Hearn has been a steady presence in the middle of the Orioles lineup. While he isn’t among the MLB leaders in home runs or RBIs, his contact and clutch hitting have made him a consistent threat.
- Gunnar Henderson: Sporting a .278 average with 14 doubles and eight homers, Henderson continues to be a versatile offensive weapon. His plate discipline and ability to spray the ball across the field make him dangerous, especially at home.
- Jackson Holliday: The No. 1 prospect turned MLB standout has caught fire lately, hitting .391 over his last five games with four RBIs. He’s showing power and patience, with nine homers and 15 walks on the year.
- Cedric Mullins: Baltimore’s primary source of power, Mullins leads the team with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs, and his speed remains a key factor both on the bases and in the outfield.
Players to Watch – Rangers
- Josh Smith: The breakout hitter for Texas this season, Smith enters Tuesday on a 10-game hitting streak, batting .364 during that stretch with four doubles and a pair of home runs.
- Wyatt Langford: The rookie slugger continues to be a force, leading the Rangers with 13 home runs and ranking 37th in MLB in that category.
- Marcus Semien: The veteran infielder is batting just .222, but his seven homers and team-leading 32 walks suggest he’s still finding ways to contribute.
- Adolis Garcia: With 37 RBIs, Garcia leads Texas in run production. The power-hitting outfielder remains a key threat with runners in scoring position.
Storylines to Watch
- Can Texas spark the bats? After being shut out on Monday, the Rangers need better production early to support Latz and avoid back-to-back quiet nights at the plate.
- Will Baltimore stay hot? The Orioles have won four of their last five and are starting to find offensive rhythm behind their young core. If Holliday and Henderson continue to produce, they could overwhelm Texas’ staff again.
- The Smith Factor: Josh Smith has quietly been one of MLB’s hottest hitters in June. If he can keep the momentum going and ignite the top of the order, Texas has a chance to flip the script.
Prediction
With Baltimore riding a wave of offensive success and playing at home, the Orioles have the edge. However, if Jake Latz can keep the ball in the park and Josh Smith continues his streak, the Rangers may steal one late.
Projected Score: Orioles 5, Rangers 4
