Detroit Tigers vs Baltimore Orioles: Series Preview

The Detroit Tigers (1-2) visit Camden Yards this week to square off against the Baltimore Orioles (3-0). That’s not a typo, the Orioles are fresh off a series sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays. A win for the O’s on Monday would make them 4-0 for the first time since 1997. Meanwhile, the Tigers look to reach the .500 mark. Perhaps the best news is that Tiger Killer Luke Scott is questionable for the series. He is notorious for tormenting the Tigers which in turn makes me want to throw the remote at the t.v. I would not be upset if he was sidelined this entire series.

SERIES PITCHING PREVIEW:

Monday, April 4, 3:05 PM EDT, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

RHP Rick Porcello vs RHP Jake Arrieta

Wednesday, April 6, 7:05 PM EDT, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

RHP Justin Verlander 0-0 4.50ERAvsRHP Jeremy Guthrie 1-0 0.00ERA

Thursday, April 7, 7:05 PM EDT, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

RHP Brad Penny 0-1 16.62 ERA vs RHP Chris Tillman 0-0 0.00 ERA

Injuries, Hot & Cold and Notes after the jump…

INJURIES:

WHO’S HOT:

DETROIT:

Miguel Cabrera is batting .455 after Sundays 3-5, 2 home-run, 4 RBI performance.

Brennan Boesch has just eight at-bats this season, but he has made the best of his limited playing time. His 4-4, 4 RBI, HR stat line on Sunday increased his batting average to .625.

BALTIMORE:

Brian Roberts is off top an amazing start, hitting .308 with a home-run and a triple this season.

Jeremy Guthrie tossed eight innings of shut-out ball in his first start of the season. We see Guthrie on Wednesday, hopefully he unravels in his home debut.

The Orioles bullpen allowed just two runs in seven innings of work the first series against the Rays. Tigers hitters really need to break up their early season success.

WHO’S COLD:

DETROIT:

Austin Jackson has struck out six times in his first eleven at-bats. He is currently hitting just .182 on the young season. To hs credit, his defense has been amazing and he has managed to get on base via walk three times.

Victor Martinez is hitting just .231 in his first 13 at-bats, he has also struck-out four times. V-Mart did hit his first home-run as a Tiger on Saturday, so it’s not all bad news. Hopefully he heats up a bit against the O’s.

Brad Penny got beat like a red-headed stepchild on Saturday. His 8 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 4 1/3 innings was ummm less than stellar. He looks to right the ship on thursday when he gets the ball.

BALTIMORE:

Vladimir Guerrero is batting .167 in twelve at-bats this season. No real concern there though, he hit .364 in 66 at-bats this spring-still it’s worth noting.

Adam Jones is also batting just .167 in twelve at-bats this season. Keeping him off the base-paths this series is important.

SERIES PREDICTION:

The Tigers will win two of three, finally reaching the .500 mark this season.

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