LEADING OFF: Ohtani vs skidding O's, Bregman back for Astros

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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MISMATCH

Shohei Ohtani (8-1, 2.79 ERA) has won four straight pitching starts for the Los Angeles Angels and is 7-0 on the mound since his last loss May 28.

The woeful Orioles have dropped 19 consecutive games.

On paper, their matchup in Baltimore could not be more lopsided.

Ohtani, the Angels' two-way superstar, is coming off his best mound start of the season, an eight-inning, 90-pitch gem at Detroit last Wednesday. He also leads the majors with 40 home runs.

Baltimore has the longest losing streak in the majors since Kansas City dropped 19 straight in 2005.

The Orioles have yielded at least eight runs 12 times during the skid and been outscored 163-55. Winless since Aug. 2, Baltimore is two losses short of matching the franchise record for successive defeats (set in 1988) and is within striking distance of the modern-day record of 23 in a row, held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies.

The last major league team to lose 20 consecutive games was that 1988 Orioles squad that dropped 21 straight to begin the season.

“This is incredibly challenging and a huge gut check,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re trying to keep our spirits high.”

BACK IN THE LINEUP

Houston third baseman Alex Bregman (left quadriceps strain) is set to come off the injured list for the AL West leaders when they host Kansas City. Bregman worked out Tuesday at Minute Maid Park after playing a rehab game Monday night for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Royals left-hander Mike Minor (8-11, 5.34 ERA) faces Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.21) in the series finale.

BIG TEST

Mets ace Jacob deGrom is due for another MRI and could begin a throwing program if he’s cleared by Dr. David Altchek. The right-hander has been...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Ohtani-vs-skidding-O-s-Bregman-back-16410038.php