Baltimore @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2018 ) Baltimore 2, Philadelphia 3

Aaron Nola is giving fans of the Philadelphia Phillies a reason to smile every time he takes the mound at Citizens Bank Park. The right-hander aims to remain undefeated at home on Wednesday as the surging Phillies (46-37) bid to complete an abbreviated two-game interleague sweep of the slumping Baltimore Orioles (24-60).

"I think it's everything. The fans, the mound. It just feels good," Nola said of his dominance at Citizens Bank Park, where he owns a 7-0 mark with a slim 1.77 ERA this season while limiting the opposition to a .201 batting average. Backup catcher Andrew Knapp came through with the key hit in back-to-back contests, as he followed his game-winning homer in the 13th inning of Sunday's 4-3 win over Washington with a go-ahead RBI triple in the fourth of Tuesday's 3-2 triumph. While Philadelphia has won 11 of 16 to move to within 2.5 games of first-place Atlanta, Baltimore has dropped eight of nine to strengthen its status as the majors' worst team. Mark Trumbo is doing his best to pick up his beleaguered club, belting his third solo homer in two contests in the series-opening loss.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN2 (Baltimore), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (0-1, 2.89 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (10-2, 2.48)

Ramirez will make his second start of the season after lasting just 4 1/3 innings in a 5-1 loss against Boston on June 13. The 24-year-old Dominican tuned up for this outing by scattering three hits over five scoreless frames in relief of a no-decision against Seattle on Thursday. Ramirez, who takes the place of David Hess' spot in the rotation, favored his changeup en route to recording a 3.88 ERA in 14 starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Nola improved to 4-0 in his last seven outings on Thursday after allowing one run while striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings of a 4-3 victory over Washington. The 25-year-old retired 11 straight Nationals at one point while limiting the club to one extra-base hit before sweating out a shaky bullpen performance for his 10th win of the season. Nola will make his first appearance against Baltimore, although he has flustered Jace Peterson (1-for-10).

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore SS Manny Machado, who reportedly is in the sights of Philadelphia ahead of the trade deadline, had a double in the opener to extend his hitting streak to six games.

2. Phillies OF Rhys Hoskins' two-run double in the third inning was his fifth extra-base hit (three homers, two doubles) in his last six contests.

3. Former Philadelphia OF Shane Victorino will sign a one-day contract and retire with the team next month while Orioles OF Colby Rasmus is set to announce his retirement after being placed on the restricted list on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Orioles 1