After dropping three of four to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, the Orioles are now set to kick off a four-game series in the Windy City against the White Sox.
The Orioles (14-32) will be aiming for better results during the second leg of their current three-city road trip, but that has been easier said than done this season. The Orioles are 6-12 thus far in May and have went 1-15 over their last 16 games on the road.
The White Sox, on the other hand, haven’t piled up a lot of fond memories this season either. They’ve gone 5-12 so far during the month of May and have posted a dreadful 6-16 record at home this season. Three of those wins came during the latter part of last week against the struggling Texas Rangers.
Andrew Cashner (1-5, 4.83 ERA) will take the mound against Hector Santiago (0-1, 5.29 ERA) in tonight’s series opener.
Cashner took another loss during his last start after giving up three runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Phillies. He will be looking for his first win since April 5th. The native Texan has went 0-4 with a 5.03 ERA over his last seven starts. He’s also allowed three runs or more in six straight starts.
Santiago took the no-decision in his latest start despite giving up just two runs on two hits over five innings against the Pirates. He’ll be making his fourth start of the season on Monday after starting the season in the bullpen.
Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.88 ERA) will take on James Shields (1-4, 4.88 ERA) in Tuesday’s match-up.
Gausman took the loss after getting tagged for six runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in Boston, but will be looking to quickly bounce back into his previous stellar form. He had allowed two runs or less in five straight starts prior to his last while recording an outstanding 1.75 ERA during that span.
Shields took a tough no-decision in his last start despite shutting down the Rangers to the tune of one run on three hits over 7 1/3 innings. After posting an 0-3 record and a 6.17 ERA during the month of April, Shields has returned to form by posting a stout 3.46 ERA through four starts in May.
Alex Cobb (1-5, 6.56 ERA) will get the nod for the O’s on Wednesday, but the White Sox haven’t named his adversary as of yet.
Cobb finally notched his long-awaited first win as an Oriole after holding the Red Sox to three runs over 6 1/3 innings last Friday, but has been in great form all month long for the Birds. After going through a nightmare in April, Cobb has recorded an impressive 3.38 ERA through four starts thus far in May.
Dylan Bundy (2-6, 4.70 ERA) will match-up against Lucas Giolito (3-4, 6.42 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday.
Bundy took the loss after allowing four runs on three homers over six innings at Fenway. He will be looking to bounce back in a hurry. After starting off the season in tremendous form, Bundy has gone 1-4 with a worrisome 9.41 ERA over his last five starts.
Giolito notched his second straight win after holding the Rangers to two runs on four hits over six innings, and will be looking to stay in current form against the Orioles. After a rough go of things in the early stages this season, Giolito has gone 3-1 with a 4.55 ERA over his last five outings and has allowed three runs or less in four of them.
Notes:
— Manny Machado carries a four-game hit streak into the Windy City and has stayed in red-hot form as we enter the final third of May. On the month, Machado is hitting .314 with six doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI.
— Adam Jones has also been in great form during the month of May. He’s recorded hits in 14 of his last 15 contests and is also hitting .314 with three doubles, three homers and eight RBI on the month.
— The red-hot Danny Valencia will look to stay in-form during the Orioles stay in Chi-Town. He’s gone 8-for-15 during his four-game hit streak and is hitting an incredible .394 with two homers and seven RBI this month.
— Danger! White Sox superstar Jose Abreu is heating up, and maybe the Orioles shouldn’t pitch to him. He’s hitting .354 with eight doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI during the month of May.
That’s it for now, folks!
Here’s to hitting Tampa on a high note.
