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Series Preview: Orioles (76-63) @ Tigers (75-64)

Kevin Gausman and Michael Fulmer.
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With the Orioles starting to take flight in the early stages of September, the vibe around town is that this squad might just defy the odds again and land a spot in the postseason. Even better, they remain smack dab in the middle of another fierce chase for the division title with 23 games left to go on the calendar.

But before we get too carried away, the Orioles must retain their high level of intensity and fight to remain in the driver’s seat in the wild card chase versus the Detroit Tigers over the weekend first.

With the Tigers just a game behind the Orioles for the final playoff spot in the American League, taking at least a game in Detroit is a necessity, while a series win would provide the O’s a bit more of much-needed breathing space in a crowded race for October baseball. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and this series against Detroit is arguably the biggest three-game set of the season for the Birds.

Make no mistake: there will be a war at Comerica Park this weekend. Even though we’re not in October yet, this will undoubtedly be a playoff atmosphere-type series with both teams fighting for their right to party play in the postseason.

After starting this month on a tear, the Orioles (76-63) find themselves two games behind the Red Sox for first in the division and just a game back from the Blue Jays in second. However, the Orioles are fighting off a pack of wolves for the second and final wild card spot at the moment, as the Tigers (1.0- GB), Yankees (2.0 -GB), Astros (2.5- GB) and Royals (4.0-GB) remain well within striking distance.

The Tigers (75-64) are facing a six-game deficit behind the first place Cleveland Indians in the AL Central, but thanks to a 29-21 surge in the second half of the season, they are still alive and well in the playoff chase and seem to be peaking at the exact right time. They’ve also made Comerica Park a fortress this season, posting a stellar 39-28 mark at home.

The Tigers may also be carrying a vendetta against the Birds after dropping three of four against them at Camden Yards back in May. They may still be carrying that vendetta since 2014 anyway, so oh well…Hakuna Matata.

Kevin Gausman (7-10, 3.58 ERA) will take the mound against Michael Fulmer (10-6, 2.77 ERA) in the series opener on Friday.

The Orioles’ sparkling flamethrower has been phenomenal over his last three starts, going 3-0 with an immaculate 0.00 ERA over 19.0 innings while racking up 19 K’s in the process. After his latest tear, Gausman has recorded a 6-4 record and a stellar 2.73 ERA in the second half of the season.

In five career starts, Gausman owns a 1-1 record and a 4.91 ERA against the Tigers.

The Tigers’ outstanding 23-year-old hurler Michael Fulmer has been dominant for the majority of his rookie campaign, but has hit a bit of a rough patch over his last three outings and owns a 0-3 record and a 6.48 ERA during that span.

The Oklahoma City native will be making his second start against the Birds after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over 4 1/3 innings in his first start versus Baltimore on May 15th, but received the no-decision in the Tigers 6-5 victory.

After dominating the Rays last Monday, Ubaldo Jimenez (6-11, 6.19 ERA) will get the nod against Jordan Zimmermann (9-5, 4.44 ERA) on Saturday.

The O’s 32-year-old veteran has been outstanding since his return to the rotation and owns a 1-1 record along with a superb 2.91 ERA over his last three starts. Due to his current surge in form, Jimenez now owns a 1-2 record with a rock-solid 3.38 ERA over eight games (four starts) since the All-Star break.

However, the Dominican native owns a 5-11 record with a 5.68 ERA over 20 career starts versus Detroit.

Two-time All-Star and former National Jordan Zimmermann will be making his second return from the DL against the Orioles on Saturday. The 30-year-old has been hampered by a neck injury since May, and has taken the mound in just 11 games since going 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA in April.

Over six career starts versus Baltimore, Zimmermann owns a 2-3 record along with a 4.54 ERA.

Orioles ace Chris Tillman (15-5, 3.76 ERA) will face off against Tigers ace Justin Verlander (14-7, 3.28 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.

Tillman, the lynchpin of the Orioles rotation, will be making his first start since August 20th after recovering from an undisclosed shoulder injury. The bat signal in Gotham has been answered.

Tillman has also owned Detroit in the past and owns a perfect 5-0 record with a sparkling 2.56 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over eight career starts against the Tigers. His return literally couldn’t have come at a better time.

Six-time All-Star and 2011 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander has been totally dominant over the second half of the season and owns a spectacular 6-1 record along with a 2.09 ERA and 0.81 WHIP during that span. The Old Dominion alum also owns an impressive 9-4 record and 3.17 ERA in the confines of Comerica Park on the year.

In 17 starts against the Birds, Verlander owns a 9-4 record to go along with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

Along with the intense match-ups on the mound, this series will feature two of the best line-ups that the American League has to offer, as the Orioles five-headed beast consisting of Manny Machado (.307, 34 HR, 90 RBI), Mark Trumbo (.255, 41 HR, 98 RBI), Chris Davis (.229, 35 HR, 78 RBI), Adam Jones (.276, 26 HR, 77 RBI) and Jonathan Schoop (.276, 21 HR, 73 RBI) will take on the Tigers potent quartet consisting of slugger J.D. Martinez (.319, 20 HR, 56 RBI), four-time All-Star Ian Kinsler (.279, 25 HR, 72 RBI), five-time All-Star Victor Martinez (.293, 23 HR, 75 RBI) and 11-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (.315, 31 HR, 87 RBI).

So grab your refreshments, get your popcorn ready and get ready for the show…there will be a ton of sparks flying in Detroit this weekend.

Just be sure to bring your nail clipper.

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