After splitting their two-game series with the Mets, the Orioles hit the road and take on the first-place Indians for three games before heading to Toronto.
The Orioles (36-85) come into Cleveland with a 4-10 record so far in the month of August, but their struggles away from Camden Yards have been a glaring problem all season long. Since July 1, the Orioles have gone just 3-15 on the road.
The surging Indians (69-51) will kick off the series on a five-game win streak after sweeping the Reds in Cincinnati earlier this week. They’ve now built a massive 12-game lead over Minnesota in the race for the AL Central title and own an outstanding 11-3 record so far this month. They’ve also been one of the hottest teams in the majors with a 17-8 record since the end of the All-Star Break.
David Hess (2-6, 6.25 ERA) will take on Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.50 ERA) in tonight’s series opener.
Hess turned in a decent performance during his last start against the Rays, but took the no-decision after allowing three runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. After bursting onto the scene earlier this season, Hess has struggled with an 0-4 record and a 9.79 ERA over his last six starts.
Carrasco picked up his 14th win of the season after shutting down the White Sox to the tune of just three hits over seven shutout innings and will be looking to stay in sparkling form against the Orioles. Over his last seven starts, the righty has posted a 5-1 record and a sublime 1.59 ERA while notching 52 strikeouts over 39 2/3 innings during that span.
Alex Cobb (3-15, 5.31 ERA) will go up against Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.75 ERA) in Saturday’s match-up.
Cobb took another tough loss in his last start after holding the Red Sox to a single earned run over seven stellar innings, but will look to keep his excellent run of form going against the Tribe. He’s now 1-1 with an outstanding 1.35 ERA over his three starts this month and over his last six contests.
Cobb has posted a superb 2.17 ERA over 37 1/3 innings of work.
Plutko will be getting the nod for the first time since allowing three runs on six hits over four innings against Cincinnati on July 11. After picking up a win in each of his first three starts of the season back in May, Plutko has posted a 5.40 ERA over 23 1/3 innings in his six appearances since.
Yefry Ramirez (1-4, 5.40 ERA) is in line to face Mike Clevinger (8-7, 3.38 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale, but the Orioles have yet to confirm and it is still listed as TBD.
If given the nod, Ramirez will look to pick up where he left off after allowing just two runs over five innings against the Red Sox. Like Hess, Ramirez has struggled a bit as of late after bursting onto the scene earlier this year and has gone 1-1 with an 8.64 ERA over his last four starts.
Clevinger picked up his eighth win of the season after holding the Reds to two runs over five innings, and will be looking to keep the ball rolling against the Orioles. After an off-key July, Clevinger has returned to his vintage form and owns a 3.00 ERA through 18 innings in three starts this month. Over his last five starts, he’s gone 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA over 29 2/3 innings.
That’s all for now, folks!
Here’s to going road tripping!
