The Milwaukee Brewers head to Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, September 18, for a 7:05 PM ET first pitch against the Baltimore Orioles. Dustin May gets the ball for Milwaukee, while Baltimore has not yet announced a starter. With the regular season winding down, every game in September carries weight, and the Brewers are making the trip to one of baseball's most storied ballparks looking to pick up a road win. Catch the action on Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook, WTMJ 620 AM, or 98 Rock 97.9 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Dustin May Takes the Mound for Milwaukee

Dustin May draws the start for the Brewers on Friday night. Baltimore's starter remains unannounced, which means Milwaukee's lineup will need to stay flexible and ready to adjust once the Orioles reveal their arm. May's assignment in a road environment like Camden Yards is a significant one — the ballpark can be hitter-friendly, and keeping Baltimore's lineup in check will be the central challenge of the evening.

Brewers Lineup Built Around a Familiar Core

Manager Pat Murphy has set a lineup that leans on proven contributors. Jackson Chourio leads things off from left field, followed by Brice Turang at second base. William Contreras slots in third at catcher, with Andrew Vaughn hitting cleanup at first base. Christian Yelich slides into the five-hole as the designated hitter, giving the middle of the order some experienced run-producing potential. Joey Ortiz, Garrett Mitchell, Luis Lara, and Cooper Pratt round out the bottom half.

Baltimore Lineup Features Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso

The Orioles are sending out a lineup that demands respect. Dylan Beavers leads off, followed by Pete Alonso at first base — a formidable power bat — and Gunnar Henderson, one of the American League's premier shortstops, hitting third. Coby Mayo bats cleanup at third base, with Samuel Basallo behind the plate in the five spot. Christian Encarnacion-Strand handles DH duties, Colton Cowser patrols center field, Jeremiah Jackson plays second, and Leody Taveras rounds out the order in right field. Henderson in particular is the kind of hitter who can change a game with a single swing, and May will need to navigate that middle-of-the-order stretch carefully.

Keys to Watch on Friday Night

• Dustin May's command early: May's ability to attack the zone and limit free passes will be critical against a lineup that has legitimate power threats from top to bottom.
• Handling Gunnar Henderson: Henderson is the most dangerous hitter in the Baltimore order. How May and William Contreras approach him will shape the game's tone.
• Chourio and Turang setting the table: If Milwaukee's one-two punch at the top of the lineup gets on base, it creates opportunities for Contreras and Vaughn to drive runs in.
• Yelich's production: The veteran DH in the five-hole can be a difference-maker if the lineup in front of him does its job.
• Baltimore's mystery starter: The Orioles' unannounced pitcher is a variable Milwaukee will need to solve quickly. First-inning at-bats could reveal a lot about approach.

Prediction

This is a tough road assignment. Baltimore's lineup, anchored by Henderson and Alonso, is legitimately dangerous, and Camden Yards is no place to take a night off. That said, Dustin May has the stuff to keep the Orioles off-balance if he's locating his pitches. Milwaukee's lineup has enough punch — especially with Contreras, Vaughn, and Yelich in the middle — to put runs on the board against an unknown starter. Expect a competitive, close game. Brewers 4, Orioles 3.