Orioles Magic

Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6

Baltimore Orioles (44-60) at Detroit Tigers (54-49)

Pitching Matchups

Monday: BAL - Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.79)
DET - Justin Verlander (12-5, 3.16)

Tuesday: BAL - Brian Matusz (0-0, 0.00)
DET - Jarrod Washburn (8-6, 2.64)

Wednesday: BAL - Jeremy Guthrie (7-10, 5.37)
DET - Edwin Jackson (7-5, 2.64)

Thursday: BAL - David Hernandez (3-3, 3.28)
DET - Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.36)

The annual second half swoon for the Baltimore Orioles has begun. The Orioles are just 3-12 since the All-Star break and things don't get any easier. Next up for the Orioles is a 4 game road series against the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers. The Tigers record of 54-49 isn't that impressive but their starting pitching rotation is. The Tigers bolstered that pitching staff right before the trade deadline by trading with the Seattle Mariners for Jarrod Washburn. Washburn is one of the league leaders in ERA and gives the Tigers a lethal 1-2-3 rotation of Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, and Washburn. It is just the Orioles luck that they get to see those 3 in this series. Even the Tigers weaker starter, Rick Porcello, would be considered a God send for the Orioles, with his 4.36 ERA.

The Orioles were also active before the trade deadline, trading their closer George Sherrill to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor leaguers Josh Bell and Steve Johnson. It was sad to see Sherrill leave as he had proven to be a very effective closer, but the move still made sense. I think it is clear that the Orioles won't have a true shot at being contenders until 2011, Sherrill was older and also as a closer, relatively easy to replace. I hadn't heard of either of the prospects the Orioles got back but the consensus seems to be that Bell could be a key piece of the Orioles resurgence, and Johnson might have a future as a reliever.

In this series, the Orioles throw Chris Tillman for his second start, and because of Brad Bergesen going to the DL, rookie Brian Matusz will make his debut. Tillman struggled in his first career start against Kansas City, so hopefully, he can bounce back against Detroit. Jeremy Guthrie starts on Wednesday, and currently leads the majors in home runs allowed. David Hernandez starts the series finale and tries to rebound from a poor start against Boston.

Melvin Mora made waves yesterday when he criticized manager Dave Trembley for benching him. If we could release Mora now I think the Orioles should. He is on the downside of his career and will definitely not be an Oriole next year. It is not too surprising that unrest is starting to become public. Some of the players have been with the Orioles long enough where losing season after season has to be weighing on them.

With the pitching matchups so heavily against the Orioles in this series, I expect Baltimore to take just one of four.