Thursday night Orioles game thread: at Guardians, 6:10pm ET

Probable pitchers: RHP Shane Baz (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 13 K) vs. LHP Parker Messick (2-0, 0.51 ERA, 16 K)

Where to watch: MASN/MASN+

Through the first six series of the season, the Orioles are sitting with a .500 record and have played exactly like a .500 baseball team. Tonight in Cleveland, manager Craig Albernaz will take on his former team, looking to prove that the Orioles can rise above their recent mediocrity.

The O’s come into Cleveland with a 9-9 record, 77 runs scored vs. 78 allowed, the 16th-ranked offense in runs/game, and the 14th-best team ERA. Eight of their nine losses have come by three runs or less, while six of their nine victories have also come by small margins.

The talent on this team is better than the record suggests, but some mental lapses, poor defense, and the occasional bullpen have left Birdland wanting more. Shane Baz, the O’s starter who perhaps most epitomizes “leaves you wanting more,” takes the mound tonight in Progressive Field, looking to put the O’s back above .500.

Baz took the loss his last time out against San Francisco, as he scattered nine hits across five innings while allowing three runs. In his only road start of the season, 12 days ago in Pittsburgh, he dazzled—finishing with a final line of 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 5 K.

Baz has the tools to be a dominant starter; namely, his fastball that sits at 97 and touches triple digits, paired with his sharp knuckle curve. Results haven’t always matched his stuff, though, with opponents hitting .529 with a .824 slugging percentage against his heater through three starts.

The 26-year-old right-hander will make his second start of his career in Cleveland, after pitching in Progressive Field for the first time last year. That night, Baz took the L, despite putting up a quality start of 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, and 7 K.

Opposing the Orioles No. 3 starter is rookie left-hander Parker Messick. A former Florida State Seminole and Cleveland’s No. 5 prospect, Messick has acclimated quickly to the majors, allowing only one run over 17.2 innings in his first three starts. Last time out against the Braves, he tossed 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and punching out five.