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Series Preview: Baltimore (June 28-July 1)

Adam Jones
Adam Jones



The Indians continue their tour of the AL East with a four game series against the second-place team in the division.

Team in a Box (click to enlarge)

Baltimore_june_28-july_1_medium

The Orioles don't walk that often or steal many bases, but they hit for power; they rank third in the AL in home runs, and have 5 players with 10 or more home runs (Indians have just 1). Their weakness, especially recently, has been in run prevention, especially starting pitching.

Typical Lineup

Pos. Player BA OBP SLG OPS+ PA
2B Brian Roberts .229 .269 .229 40 53
SS J.J. Hardy .239 .276 .407 85 323
RF Chris Davis .272 .317 .478 115 246
CF Adam Jones .298 .344 .555 142 314
C Matt Wieters .255 .338 .444 114 275
1B Mark Reynolds .220 .338 .399 103 201
3B Wilson Betemit .255 .320 .444 108 219
DH Nick Johnson .209 .327 .395 98 101
LF Steve Pearce .269 .333 .462 116 62

The Orioles aren't getting much from their middle infielders, but they've gotten good production from the corners and of course exceptional performances from center field (Adam Jones) and catcher (Matt Wieters). Jones is having the best season of his career, and just recently signed a contract extension worth $85.5M. Brian Roberts has recently come off the Disabled List after missing not only the beginning of this season, but most of last season.

Projected Starters

Date Pitcher ERA Innings SO/9 BB/9 H/9
June 28 Wei-Yin Chen (L) 3.38 85.1 6.4 2.8 9.0
June 29 Jake Arrieta 5.55 94.0 8.0 2.5 9.5
June 30 TBA
July 1 Brian Matusz (L) 5.24 80.2 6.7 3.9 11.2

The bad news is that the Indians will face at least two southpaws this series. The good news is that the Indians will miss Jason Hammel, Baltimore's best starter. Tommy Hunter had recently been taken out of the rotation, so the Orioles will presumable call up a starter for Saturday's game.

Key Relievers

Throws Pitcher ERA Innings SO/9 BB/9 H/9
Right Jim Johnson 1.10 32.2 5.5 1.9 4.1
Right Luis Ayala 1.83 34.1 6.0 1.6 8.1
Left Troy Patton 3.18 34.0 8.9 1.6 7.7

The string of facing good bullpens continues, for Baltimore has both an effective and a deep one. Jim Johnson has a very low strikeout rate for a closer (especially one that's been as effective as he has), but take a look at his hit rate; he's been a groundball-inducing machine. Ayala, Patton, Pedro Strop and Darren O'Day are all having very good years, so even if Baltimore's starter has a short outing, they'll stay in the game assuming it's still close.

On the Shelf

  • CF Endy Chavez (hamstring) - 15-day DL
  • 1B Nick Johnson (wrist) - Day-to-Day
  • RF Nick Markakis (hamate bone) - 15-day DL
  • RHP Stuart Pomeranz (oblique) - 60-day DL
  • LF Nolan Reimold (neck) - Out for the season
  • C Tyler Teagarden (back) - 60-day DL
  • LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (Tommy John surgery) - Out for the season

The Orioles are right now without their two Opening Day corner outfielders in Markakis and Reimold, as well as Chavez, their fourth outfielder.

talonk's Almanac

All-Time Record 1111-840 (.569)
Runs Scored/Allowed 9179 7993
Pythagorean Win % .563
Best Record 19-3 1954/1955
Worst Record 4-14 1970