The O’s took the first two games in Arlington last week, before being bludgeoned in game three.
This week, the Rangers come to Baltimore for a four-game series.
Texas is 6-9 overall, and in 2nd place, 3.5 games behind Seattle in the American League West.
The Rangers are 1-5 on the road, and have lost their last two games overall.
Baltimore is 8-8 overall, and in 4th place, 3.5 games behind Toronto in the American League East.
The O’s are 6-3 so far this year at Camden Yards.
The pitching matchups are:
4/24: Padillia vs Uehara
4/25: Hendrickson vs Feldman
4/26: Bergesen vs McCarthy
4/27: Guthrie vs Harrison
Several of these matchups are interesting.
On April 13th against Baltimore, Padilla went 3.1 innings, allowing 11 hits, 7er, with 1 bb, and 1 k. Roberts, Jones, Markakis, and Huff all doubled off Padilla.
Uehara also started that night, and was almost as miserable… going 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 hr, 7er, 4 walks, with 3 k’s. Uehara rebounded in his next outing at Boston, and pitched very well. It will be interesting to see his adjustments for the Rangers tonight.
Feldman was pitching out of the bullpen, when the O’s last saw the Rangers… and he allowed the HR to Pie. With 2 hits last night, maybe Pie will get going this weekend.
On Sunday, Bergesen will make his 2nd Major League start. I am not going to raise expectations on Bergesen, I just want to again see him do the things that got him promoted in the first-place. Work quick, limit walks, field his position… and attack hitters. If he can give another 5-6 innings, and keep the O’s in the game, that is huge.
McCarthy had a ND against the O’s last week, but was pretty solid over 6 innings… as he allowed 5 hits, 3er, 2hr, with 3 bb’s and 5 k’s. The HR’s were by Huff, and Scott.
Monday, the O’s should be feeling good about the match-up of Guthrie at home vs Matt Harrison. Harrison has been crushed so far in 2009, allowing 26 hits, and 11 walks in just 14.2 innings.
Guthrie will be making his 5th start of the year, and looking to rebound from back to back outings where he allowed 5er.
Guthrie’s control is out of whack, as he as allowed 10 walks in 22.2 innings, which is above his walk ratio’s of the previous two seasons.
The O’s should be in position Monday to win the series, and it is imperative to get a good start from Guthrie.
The goal has to be another series win, with 3 wins in the 4 games… if that occurs, the O’s will be 11-9 when the Angels come to town on Tuesday.
Lastly, Matt Wieters returned to the Norfolk lineup last night, and was 1 for 4 as the DH. Tonight, it is anticipated that he will be behind the plate. If he catches tonight, and tomorrow without problems… I hope the O’s consider bringing him up Sunday to catch Bergesen.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.