Fresh off their first series win since the All-star break, the 51-73 Baltimore Orioles head to the Metrodome, to face the Minnesota Twins.
As the Twins will be moving into their new stadium next year, this will be the O’s last visit to the Metrodome.
The Twins are currently 61-63 overall, 4.5 games out of 1st in the American League Central.
Minnesota has won 3 game in a row, and are 33-27 at-home. Against the AL East, the Twins are an abysmal 6-19.
Baltimore is just 21-42 on the road, but 14-13 overall against the Central.
The scheduled pitching matchups are:
8/24: Tillman vs Baker
8/25: Matusz vs Gambino
8/26: Guthrie vs Blackburn
Baker is 11-7, with a 4.67 era. In 146 innings, Baker has allowed 142 hits, 29 walks, 22 homers, with 120 k’s.
The young-righty has won his last 5 decision, and obviously has exceptional control. It will be interesting to see how aggressive the O’s batters are, with a pitcher that will consistently be around the plate.
Tillman will be making his 6th start, and has pitched at-least 6 innings in each of his last 4 outings.
Armando Gabino turns 26 on August 31st, and will be making his Major League Debut.
Gabino has been with AAA Rochester all-season. For Rochester, Gabino had appeared in 36 games, but had only started 5.
At AAA, the righty was 5-3, with a 2.83 era. In 86 innings, Gabino had allowed 65 hits, 22 walks, with 55 k’s.
Matusz will be making his 5th start, and 4th on the road. Matusz will be looking to build off of his past-two starts where he has struck out 7 in both appearances.
On Wednesday, the O’s will face Nick Blackburn. Blackburn is 8-8, with a 4.27 era. Blackburn has lost his previous 4 decisions. Overall, he has pitched 156 innings, allowing 186 hits, 36 walks, with 68 k’s. In terms of pure-stuff, he is reminds people of Brad Bergesen.
Guthrie has been consistently inconsistent in 2009. You would like to see him be able to build off of his 7inning, 1 er outing Friday vs. Chicago.
While Mauer, and Morneau get a lot of understandable publicity, there are a number of other positional players of note for the Twins.
DH Jason Kubel has a .307 avg, with 20 homers, and a .912 OPS overall.
Cuddyer, Young, Crede, Gomez, and Cabrera are all capable as well.
Closer Joe Nathan remains one of the absolute best in baseball, making it imperative for the O’s to have a lead late.
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.