After dropping both games in their rain-shortened two-game set against the Rays, the Orioles will wrap up their homestand by taking on the Detroit Tigers for a three-game set over the weekend.

Despite their brutal month of April so far, the Orioles (6-19) will be trying to enter May feeling a little bit better about things to say the least. On top of a current five-game losing skid, they’ve now won just once over their last twelve ballgames. The end result is the worst start to a season since the infamous 1988 Orioles squad went 0-21 and didn’t win a game until April 29th.

The Tigers (10-13) come to town in decent form with six wins in their last ten ballgames, but have dropped four of their last six. Still, they trail the Indians by just three games for first place in the division as we approach the end of April.

Chris Tillman (0-4, 9.87 ERA) will take the mound against Mike Fiers (2-1, 3.71 ERA) in tonight’s series opener.

Tillman took his fourth straight loss after allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings during his last start against the Tribe, and will be looking for his first quality start of the season against the Tigers.

Fiers allowed just two runs over 5 1/3 innings despite giving up ten hits versus Kansas City in his last time out, and will be looking to avoid getting hit hard for the third straight start against the Orioles. He’s allowed seven runs on eighteen hits over his last eleven innings pitched vs. the O’s.

Andrew Cashner (1-3, 3.60 ERA) is set to take on Francisco Liriano (2-1, 3.13 ERA) in Saturday’s match-up.

Cashner took the loss after giving up four runs over six innings against Cleveland, but will be looking to notch his fourth quality start of the season versus the Tigers. In the three starts prior to his last, Cashner was in stellar form and had allowed just four runs over a nineteen-inning span.

Liriano gave up three runs over 5 1/3 innings against Kansas City his last time out, snapping a streak of three straight quality starts. Liriano has been impressive for the Tigers in the early goings this season and owns a stellar .177 BAA and a stout 1.13 WHIP over his first four starts.

Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.66 ERA) will get the nod against Daniel Norris (0-1, 4.85 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.

Gausman was incredible during his last start against Cleveland, but took a cruel loss despite giving up just two runs on four hits over eight innings. After his rough 2018 debut against the Twins, Gausman has now recorded four straight quality starts and has allowed just nine runs over his last 25 innings pitched.

Norris will make his second start of the season after holding the Royals to one run on three hits over 4 2/3 innings on April 20th. The Tigers southpaw has also shown an increased strikeout ability with sixteen strikeouts in thirteen innings pitched so far this season.

Notes:

– After going 2-for-5 with an RBI against the Rays yesterday, Manny Machado remains in top form coming into the weekend series. Over his last ten games, Machado has gone 15-for-37 at the plate with three doubles, five home runs and ten RBI.

– Adam Jones comes into Friday’s game on a four-game hit streak, and has gone 7-for-17 with three doubles, one homer and three RBI during that span. Over his last ten contests, the O’s captain is hitting .317 with seven doubles, one homer and seven RBI.

– Nicholas Castellanos (.330, 2 HR, 16 RBI) has been on fire throughout the first month of the season for the Tigers, but he is on another planet at the moment. Over the course of his current five-game hit streak, he’s gone 12-for-22 at the dish with two home runs and ten RBI while recording three hits or more on three separate occasions.

– Miguel Cabrera (.325, 2 HR, 16 RBI) has returned to his All-Star form as of late, and comes into Baltimore on a five-game hitting tear. During that span, he’s gone 9-for-18 with six runs, three doubles and six RBI. He’s also recorded multi-hit games in five of his last ten.

– Jeimer Candelario (.290, 4 HR, 11 RBI) has been outstanding to begin his rookie season with the Tigers, and comes into Baltimore in red-hot form. Over his last ten, Candelario has gone 16-for-38 at the plate with ten runs, two doubles, two triples, three homers and eight RBI.

– Leonys Martin (.287, 4 HR, 11 RBI) is enjoying a nice start to his debut season in the Motor City, and has been crushing the ball as of late. Over his last seven games, the native Cuban has gone 10-for-31 with eight runs, three home runs and eight RBI. He’s also posted multi-hit games in five of his last nine.

That’s it for now, folks!

Here’s to ending the losing streak.