After splitting the two-night stand in Boston, the Orioles will travel across the border for the first time this season to take on the sleeping Toronto Blue Jays in a four-game set.
The Orioles (5-2) will be looking to keep up the pace after clubbing five homers last night at Fenway in a 12-5 win, while the Jays (1-7) will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak.
Kevin Gausman (0-0, 5.40) will take on Francisco Liriano (0-0, 135.00 ERA) in game one tonight.
After putting together a dominant second half of 2016, Gausman hasn’t quite hit the same run of form through his first two starts of 2017. The O’s flamethrower has registered a 2.00 WHIP over his first ten innings of the season along with seven walks to eight strikeouts and a .310 BAA.
Liriano will be hoping to erase the memory of allowing five earned runs over just a third of an inning versus Tampa Bay during his season debut last week.
Wade Miley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will get the nod versus Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 1.29 ERA) for Friday’s contest.
Miley had an awkward season debut against the Yankees last week, as he threw five innings of one-hit, zero-run ball but allowed seven walks in the process. Still, the southpaw managed to rack up five K’s and didn’t allow the levee to break. That counts, right?
Sanchez picked up right where he left off last season by holding the Rays to just one run over seven innings in his season debut last week, and carries a perfect 4-0 record over five career starts versus the Orioles along with a 3.00 ERA. The Jays ace has allowed one run or fewer in 14 starts since April 2016, the most in the AL.
Alec Asher (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be making his season debut versus Marco Estrada (0-1, 5.73 ERA) during Saturday’s matinee.
Asher, 25, was acquired from Philadelphia in March for cash considerations. In five starts for the Phillies last season, Asher put together an excellent line in the form of a 2-1 record, 2.28 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. The Lakeland, Florida native also allowed just four walks to 13 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.
Estrada will be taking the mound for already the second time against the Orioles this season after allowing just two runs over six innings against them on opening day.
Dylan Bundy (1-1, 2.70 ERA) will take on J.A. Happ (0-2, 5.40 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.
Bundy has been outstanding to start the season, and will be looking to make it three straight quality starts to begin his campaign. He ranks first among Orioles starters in wins (1), WHIP (0.98), OBP (.260) and K’s (11). He also has allowed the fewest walks (2).
Happ has recorded an impressive 17 K’s over his first 11 2/3 innings of the 2017 season, but has been hindered by his tendency to give up the long ball. He’s allowed two dingers in each of his first two starts.
Notes:
– Wellington Castillo has a career line consisting of a .316 batting average, two home runs and five RBI versus Liriano.
– Adam Jones has also tagged Liriano to the tune of a .364 average, three homers and five RBI.
– Chris Davis hasn’t had a problem tagging Sanchez in the past. He owns a .375 average to go along with three homers and four RBI against Toronto’s ace.
– Jonathan Schoop is a career .386 (7-for-19) hitter against Sanchez.
– Castillo has had by far the most success amongst Orioles sluggers against Estrada, as he carries a .308 average along with four homers and eight RBI lifetime against the Jays work horse.
– Manny Machado has the best numbers lifetime amongst Orioles batters versus Happ, as he owns a .292 average along with two homers and three RBI against the Jays veteran. Mark Trumbo on the other hand, is 0-for-14.
That’s it for now, O’s fans! Enjoy the series!
