Cade Povich is the starting pitcher tonight. Through three starts, he’s been participating in the Orioles rotation’s “be better in August” initiative, although in his case, “be better” is still a 4.32 ERA over three games, which isn’t all that good. He gave up three runs in five innings against this Astros team back in Houston last weekend.

Cristian Javier (1-1, 3.38) makes his third start in return from Tommy John surgery as the Houston Astros go for a third win in a row against the Baltimore Orioles. Javier's second start was cut short by illness. Dean Kremer (9-9, 3.97) starts for Baltimore.

Six days ago, the Orioles’ Brandon Young nearly pitched a perfect game against the Astros. Thursday, he allowed seven runs and left with an injury.

The Astros have signed Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract, and the veteran reliever reported to the team in Baltimore on Friday.

After a historic stretch of futility earlier this week, the Astros have scored 17 runs in taking the first two games of their series at Baltimore.

The Camden Yards crowd greeted Dylan Beavers with a standing ovation for his first career at-bat in front of his new home fans, and the Orioles’ rookie outfielder rose to the moment. Beavers launched a 390-foot solo home run onto the flag court in right field and drove in both of the Orioles’ runs Thursday in their 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros.

Since landing back with the Astros this season after a monumental blockbuster trade, 30-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa has been the star of the show. His performance on Thursday night against Baltimore was no different. In a 7-2 victory, Houston kicked off their series on the right foot. The confidence was there, as were the runs early on.

Lance McCullers Jr. returns from a blister to start against the Baltimore Orioles as the Houston Astros go for a second win in a row.