Gamethread: Pedro Alvarez returns to Pittsburgh

...but he isn’t starting.

Meanwhile, the studly one Trevor Williams (6-9, 4.18) faces right hander Kevin Gausman (11-10, 4.61)

Gausman is a hard thrower averaging 95.0 on his four-seam fastball, which he uses 70% of the time, while mixing in a splitter 15% and slider 13%. He averages a tick over 8 K’s per 9 innings, but almost a homer a start, with 28 long balls surrendered last year and 27 this year.

The Orioles have three September rookie call-ups in the lineup at centerfield, rightfield and catcher. Max Moroff will spell Jordy Mercer at shortstop for the Pirates.

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ORIOLES

1 R Austin Hays, CF

2 R Jonathan Schoop, 2B

3 R Manny Machado, 3B

4 L Chris Davis, 1B

5 R Trey Mancini, LF

6 L Chance Sisco, C

7 R J.J. Hardy, SS

8 S Anthony Santander, RF

9 L Kevin Gausman, RHP

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PIRATES

1 L Adam Frazier, 2B

2 R Starling Marte, LF

3 R Andrew McCutchen, CF

4 S Josh Bell, 1B

5 R David Freese, 3B

6 L Gregory Polanco, RF

7 R Elias Diaz, C

8 S Max Moroff, SS

9 R Trevor Williams, RHP