Philadelphia @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2018 ) Baltimore 1, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles failed to unleash any semblance of offense as they were thwarted in their bids to win their respective four-game series on Wednesday. After losing for just the fourth time in 14 outings, the Phillies (51-40) will look to get back on track on Thursday as they visit the Orioles (26-67) in the makeup game of a rainout on May 15.

Cesar Hernandez recorded his second multi-hit performance of the series against the New York Mets in Wednesday's 3-0 setback in 10 innings. Nick Williams also had a hit to boost his total to 13 to go along with seven RBIs and six runs scored in July for Philadelphia, which is 3-0 against Baltimore this season and 8-4 in interleague play. The Orioles' bid to take three of four from the New York Yankees went up in smoke, as the latter evened the season series at five wins apiece with an emphatic 9-0 romp on Wednesday. Baltimore's Jonathan Schoop had a double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he is 17-for-41 with two homers and six doubles.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.62 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (4-6, 4.11)

Pivetta has struggled mightily in his last two starts, as he allowed three homers in a seven-run performance over 1 2/3 innings versus Washington on June 29 before permitting three runs on five hits over 2 2/3 frames at Pittsburgh on Friday. The 25-year-old British Columbia native pitched significantly better against Baltimore on May 16, yielding one solo homer among two hits while striking out 11 in seven innings of a 4-1 triumph. Adam Jones went deep in the first inning before Pivetta got into a groove, retiring 12 straight batters.

Gausman breezed into the fifth inning in his last outing before allowing three runs to effectively end his afternoon with a no-decision at Minnesota. The 27-year-old has been victimized by the home-run ball, having been taken deep in each of his last four starts and 18 times in as many appearances this season. Carlos Santana is 2-for-7 with a pair of doubles and three walks versus Gausman, who will face Philadelphia for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 4-for-10 with a walk against Baltimore this season.

2. Orioles SS Manny Machado, who is just 1-for-10 versus the Phillies in 2018, is 4-for-8 with three extra-base hits (two homers, one double) in his last two games.

3. Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola will move up a day in the rotation to draw the start on Saturday versus Miami as a means to be available to pitch in the All-Star Game.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Orioles 3