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Series Preview: Orioles (37-38) @ Blue Jays (36-39)

Rogers Centre in Toronto with the roof open.
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After winning their first series on the road in over two months this past weekend in Tampa, the Orioles will look to build on that momentum over a three-game set in Ontario’s capital versus the Blue Jays.

While these two teams have usually been battling it out at the top of the standings in recent memory, this clash will instead determine who begins the latter part of the week in the cellar of the AL East.

The Orioles (37-38) will cross the border currently fourth in the division and 4.5-games out of first place after taking two of three in Florida. The road hasn’t been kind to the Orioles this season. They own a dismal 13-24 record away from Camden Yards and a 6-18 record while on tour since the start of May.

The good bit of news is that the Orioles still own a solid 23-17 record versus the AL East and an impressive 7-2 record versus their upcoming hosts this season.

The Blue Jays (36-39) remain in the cellar of the division and 5.5-games out of first place after going 3-4 over their latest seven-game road trip. While the Jays have gone a decent 19-17 at Rogers Centre on the year, they’ve been weighed down by a 12-19 record versus their own division.

Will the Orioles continue to bounce back, or will the Jays leapfrog their visitors and send the O’s into last place?

Only time will tell. Let’s look at the starters.

 

Game One

Kevin Gausman (3-7, 6.47 ERA) will get the nod in the series opener versus Joe Biagini (2-6, 4.45 ERA).

Gausman showed signs of life by striking out nine over 5 2/3 innings versus Cleveland, but still allowed three runs on six hits in a losing effort. The Orioles fireballer is now 0-3 with a horrid 9.20 ERA over his last three outings. Gausman has also struggled mightily on the road this season with a 1-4 record and a 9.00 ERA over seven starts away from OPACY on the year. Maybe he’ll get it going against a club that he’s recorded a 3.90 ERA against over ten career starts.

Biagini has been filling in for the currently sidelined Aaron Sanchez lately, but not with much success. After allowing four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings during his last start against the Rangers, Biagini now owns a 1-3 record along with a 6.10 ERA over four starts this month. However, he owns a stellar 2.93 ERA over eleven games (four starts) at Rogers Centre to date in 2017. He’ll be making his first career start against the Orioles tonight.

 

Game Two

Wade Miley (3-5, 4.48 ERA) will take the hill against Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.69 ERA) on Wednesday.

After getting tagged again to the tune of four runs on eight hits over five innings during his last outing versus the Tribe, Miley sports a woeful 7.81 ERA over his last six times on the mound. Over his last three contests, the Orioles southpaw has gone 1-2 with a cringe-worthy 10.38 ERA.

Stroman has been impressive at home this season with a rock-solid 3.29 ERA over eight outings, but he will be looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristic run of form over his last two starts. During that span, the former Blue Devil has allowed ten runs and six home runs on thirteen hits over just eleven innings. He had allowed just seven home runs all season long prior to his last two outings.

Game Three

Ubaldo Jimenez (2-3, 7.26 ERA) will anchor the mound versus J.A. Happ (2-4, 3.83 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday.

Jimenez will be looking to hit the erase button on his last start versus Tampa Bay in which he allowed nine runs on seven hits over just 2 1/3 innings. Over five games (two starts) in June, Jimenez is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA. He’s also struggled on the road with a 1-3 record and a 7.28 ERA over nine games (five starts) so far this season. On a positive note, Jimenez owns a solid 7-5 record and a 4.48 ERA over sixteen career starts against the Jays.

Happ was sorely missed in the Blue Jays rotation earlier this year, but has wasted no time in making his presence felt upon his return to the club. After allowing just a single run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings versus Kansas City during his last start, Happ now owns a 2-1 record and a 3.28 ERA over four starts this month. Over thirteen career starts versus the Birds, Happ has gone 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA.

 

That’s it for now, Orioles nation!

Here’s to a few more notches in the win column!

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