Orioles, Royals set lineups for Game 4

The Orioles are down to what might be their final game of the 2014 season. Down three games to none to the Royals in the American League Championship Series, Baltimore will send Miguel Gonzalez to the mound to take on Jason Vargas in the hopes of forcing a Game 5 on Thursday.

Gonzalez might not be the top choice on the roster for a win-or-go-home game, but his credentials check out: He posted a 119 ERA+ this year while averaging six innings per start, and the Orioles could certainly use that kind of quality from him on Wednesday. Vargas is similarly not the Royals’ top arm by any means, but he’s just as capable of holding down the O’s bats as Gonzalez is of the Royals. They’ll need to hit some deep fly balls against Vargas to do so, though, and with James Shields slated for a potential Game 5, Ned Yost might be quick to his vaunted bullpen if Vargas gets into any kind of trouble.

The lineups are just what you’d expect, with lefty mashing Delmon Young getting a start at designated hitter against Vargas, and the Royals rolling out their usual setup: