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Detroit Tigers: What You Should Know vs Baltimore Orioles

ByBen Rosener|
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Detroit Tigers defeated Baltimore Orioles 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Detroit Tigers defeated Baltimore Orioles 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Jul 17, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) looks on as he gives up a home run to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Brad Miller (13) during the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) looks on as he gives up a home run to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Brad Miller (13) during the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore’s Rotation Isn’t Very Good

This isn’t the place for sugarcoating, the Orioles simply don’t have a very good rotation.

Sure, they have plenty of options, like Yovani Gallardo, Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Wade Miley, Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman, but collectively they don’t make a solid rotation.

Baltimore’s staff currently owns the fifth-worst ERA in the league, the sixth-worst FIP, the fifth-worst xFIP and the sixth-worst SIERA. They’re 18th in WAR.

Want more ugly stats?

You’ve got them.

Only five team’s rotations have posted a higher collective WHIP than Baltimore’s. San Diego is the only Major League ball club with a rotation that owns a higher walk per nine innings number than the Orioles. Buck Showalter’s staff sits 18th in strikeouts per nine innings.

Essentially, you can make the argument that Atlanta has a better rotation than the Orioles statistically, despite the fact that the National League East team owns 23 more losses and are 173 runs worse in terms of run differential as a team.

On Friday, Detroit will face Baltimore’s best starter in Gausman, and while he’s pitched well this (9.12 K/9, 3.75 SIERA in 146 innings), he’ll have to deal with the Detroit offense.

In four career starts, Gausman is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA against Detroit. He’s been tagged for 12 runs in 22 innings in those four starts. Ian Kinsler could be in for a monster game. The second baseman is 5-for-11 with a home run against the 25-year-old.

The Tigers will also match up with Jimenez and Tillman during the three-game set.

In 106 innings, Jimenez’ season stats aren’t as favorable as Gausman’s. The former Colorado hurler has pitched to a 5.94 ERA. His FIP isn’t awful at 4.43, but his 4.87 xFIP and 4.95 SIERA certainly aren’t anything to write home about. Jimenez’ 1.68 WHIP is the second worst in the league among starters with 100 innings pitched.

Rounding out the trio is Chris Tillman.

Despite a 15-5 record and a 3.76 ERA, the longtime Oriole’s 3.41 walks per nine innings is one of the worst numbers of his career. What’s more, his 4.57 SIERA and 4.49 xFIP suggest he’s been worse than his initial numbers would advertise.

Jimenez will match up with Jordan Zimmermann, while Tillman gets a showdown with Justin Verlander.

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