Series Preview: Indians vs. Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles head back home to Camden Yards after a poor six game road trip to take on the Cleveland Indians in a four game series. The Orioles are losers of their last six contests and come into town with a 5-14 record. The Indians have won seven of their last ten games and are coming off a series split in Puerto Rico against the Minnesota Twins. Let’s check out the pitching matchups:
Game One: Trevor Bauer (1-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Dylan Bundy (0-2, 1.40 ERA)
Trevor Bauer will get the ball for the Indians on Friday night for the series opener. Bauer grabbed his first win of the season in his last start, going seven innings while allowing two runs against the Detroit Tigers. In five starts against the Orioles, Bauer holds a career 1-3 record with a 5.86 ERA. Manny Machado has three home runs and four RBI in 12 at-bats against Bauer.
Dylan Bundy will take the mound for the Orioles in the series opener on Friday. Bundy has been phenomenal in 2018, but has yet to pick up a win despite four quality outings. In his last outing against the Toronto Blue Jays, Bundy went 5.2 innings while allowing one run and striking out six in a losing effort. In his only start against the Indians in 2017, Bundy went 4.1 innings while allowing six runs in a loss. Jason Kipnis has a home run against Bundy in his career.
Game Two: Mike Clevinger (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Chris Tillman (0-3, 11.91 ERA)
Mike Clevinger will get the start for the Indians on Saturday afternoon. In his latest start against the Blue Jays, Clevinger lasted only four innings while allowing four runs. In two starts against the Orioles in 2017, Clevinger went 11 innings while allowing two runs and picking up two wins.
Chris Tillman will get the ball for the Orioles in the second game of the series. Tillman lasted only two innings against the Boston Red Sox after allowing six runs on seven hits. Over 10 games (9 starts), Tillman holds a 4.71 ERA and a 5-2 record against the Indians in his career. Edwin Encarnacion has four home runs and seven RBI in 48 at-bats against Tillman in his career.
Game Three: Corey Kluber (2-1, 1.52 ERA) vs. Kevin Gausman (1-1, 5.57 ERA)
Reining Cy Young winner Corey Kluber will take the mound for the Indians on Sunday against the Orioles. Kluber went 6.2 innings against the Twins in Puerto Rico on Tuesday in his last start. In 2017, Kluber threw a complete game shutout at Camden Yards while recording 11 strikeouts.
Kevin Gausman will take the mound for the Orioles on Sunday for the third game of the series. Gausman posted a quality start in his last outing, going six innings while allowing three runs and striking out seven against the Blue Jays. In four appearances (three starts), Gausman holds a 2-2 record with a 2.53 ERA over 21.1 innings. Francisco Lindor and Edwin Encarnacion both home home runs against Gausman.
Game Four: Carlos Carrasco (3-0, 2.60 ERA) vs. TBD
Carlos Carrasco will get the ball in the series finale on Monday night. Carrasco was fantastic in his last start against the Twins, throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out seven in a no-decision. In 2017, Carrasco threw six scoreless innings against the Orioles while striking out 10. Adam Jones has a home run off Carrasco during his career.
The Orioles have not announced a starter for Monday’s game against the Indians. Monday would be Andrew Cashner’s spot in the rotation, but nothing has been announced as to who will get the ball for the series finale yet.
The Orioles are off to a very slow start, and will need to start hitting to turn things around, as they rank 14th in the American League in runs per game. The Orioles lost the seasons series to the Indians 6-1 last season.
