Orioles and Red Sox lineups (plus notes)

The Orioles' final home game of the 2021 season will begin with rookie Alexander Wells making his 11th major league appearance and eighth start.

Wells has a 7.61 ERA and 1.745 WHIP in 36 2/3 innings. He's averaging 12.3 hits, 3.4 walks, 5.9 strikeouts and 2.2 home runs per nine innings.

Wells has completed five innings in his last two starts, allowing eight runs and 11 hits. He faced the Red Sox on Sept. 19 and surrendered five runs and six hits, with J.D. Martinez hitting a solo homer.

Martinez has hit eight home runs against the Orioles this season, five more than the next-closest opponent. His 32 career homers are his most against any club.

Tyler Nevin is starting in left field, with Austin Hays in right.

Pat Valaika is playing shortstop and Jahmai Jones is at second base.

Kelvin Gutíérrez has matched his career high with a seven-game hitting streak. He's 9-for-21 (.429) during that stretch.

Pedro Severino has an eight-game hitting streak that ties his career high. He's gone 11-for-30 (.367).

The Orioles have scored four runs or fewer in 13 of their last 15 games. They were shut out for the 10th time last night.

Tonight presents manager Brandon Hyde and his staff with another opportunity to evaluate a young starter, as they did again last night with Zac Lowther.

"It's a small sample, but they are pitching in meaningful games, so you kind of see how they compete, look at their stuff, see how they deal with adversity," Hyde said. "I love how (Lowther) pitched out of the fifth inning there. To watch guys get through innings, go through the lineup a couple of times against really good major league hitters, I think that's the evaluation you're doing, and you take it into next year and see what happens."

The Orioles are seeing Nick Pivetta again. He's already made four starts against them this summer and gone 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.338 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings. He's allowed 10 runs and 20 hits with nine walks and 20 strikeouts.

Maikel Franco's first Orioles home run came against Pivetta on April 11. Cedric Mullins homered on May 9, Richie Martin on Aug. 13, and Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Wynns on Sept. 18.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini DH
Pedro Severino C
Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B
Tyler Nevin LF
Pat Valaika SS
Jahmai Jones 2B

Alexander Wells LHP

For the Red Sox
Enrique Hernández CF
Kyle Schwarber 1B
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B
J.D. Martinez DH
Hunter Renfroe RF
Alex Verdugo LF
Kevin Plawecki C
José Iglesias 2B

Nick Pivetta RHP

Reliever Isaac Mattson is joining the Orioles, whether for their active roster or taxi squad on the trip to Toronto.

Outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers are among the Orioles prospects assigned to the Arizona Fall League. Diaz started in center field today and Stowers in right for Triple-A Norfolk.

Diaz struck out in all three at-bats.

The full AFL rosters will be announced on Monday.

Kevin Smith lasted only 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run and one hit but walking six batters. Cody Sedlock allowed four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings, with three walks and four strikeouts.

Smith also issued six walks in 2 1/3 innings in his last start.

Adam Plutko left the bases loaded after replacing Sedlock, but gave up three runs and four hits in the ninth.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second overall pick in 2020, will participate in "fall activities."

Elias also repeated that pitching will be the No. 1 priority on the offseason.