Baltimore Orioles (41-39) vs. Kansas City Royals (37-45)
Recent Trends
Baltimore:
- Lost 5 of 8
- Alternating win/loss over the last seven games (3-4)
Kansas City:
- Won 11 of 14 including a five and six game winning streak
- Lost 2 of 3
*Game 1: 7:05pm
Brian Burres (6-5) 5.29 (1.54), 39/27
vs.
Zack Greinke (7-4) 3.40 (1.25), 84/33 **L3: 1.80 (1.10), 22/8
Zack Greinke has been a pleasant surprise this season and is looking like an emerging ace more and more. He had a couple rough starts, but he has bounced back strong over his last three starts. Seven of the eight walks were in one game where he shut out Arizona for seven innings. As for BB, I think this is a do or die start and his rotation spot is probably on the line. If he pitches poorly here, I think the only way he makes another start is if the organization doesn't feel like any of the minor league arms are ready for a call up at this time. Remember, they will only be called up if the organization feels the said pitcher has a chance to stick right now. If no one is, I could see Burres making another start or two. I guess they could always give a spot start to the surprising Lance Cormier as well. I'm missing Albers already. Anyways, before I get more off topic, advantage Kansas City.
*Game 2: 7:05pm
Radhames Liz (2-0) 5.70 (1.40), 18/13
vs.
Luke Hochevar (5-5) 4.60 (1.51), 48/36 **L4: 3.52 (1.33), 13/4
First off, Liz has not been officially listed as the starter here, but it would be his turn in the rotation. Liz's ERA is a little misleading as IMO, he has been much better than that. Another great stat about Liz thus far is that he has given up exactly four hits in each of his five 2008 starts. The walks are a little high, but I think Liz is on his way and should stick on the roster this time around. He will face Luke Hochevar who has allowed only two runs in three of his last four starts. He certainly looks like he has started to find his groove in the majors. This is a tough one to call, but I'm going to take us in this one. Advantage Baltimore.
*Game 3: 7:05pm
Daniel Cabrera (5-4) 4.53 (1.41), 64/47
vs.
Gil Meche (6-8) 4.66 (1.32), 82/35 **L4: 2.08 (.88), 23/6
Meche has really turned it around over his last four starts posting a WHIP under one and a 2.08 ERA with only six walks. Cabrera on the other hand, I'm sorry to say, looks as though he is back to his old ways. I really don't know what to do with him or what to think anymore. I'm starting to go back to the questions asking if he will ever figure it out and be consistent. DC has been better lately, but has shown no signs of his early season form. At this point, I just can't see him out-pitching Gil Meche. Advantage Kansas City.
As we all know with this team, late inning comebacks are always possible, but we really don't have good pitching match-ups in this series and the Royals are the hottest team without question. I continue to be impressed with Adam Jones and couldn't be happier with his progression. I've been thinking that maybe it's time to move Jones up in the lineup to fifth and see how he does there. Luke Scott is also doing very well, but it's only a matter of time before they start pitching him up in the zone. Let's hope it doesn't start in this series, but the match-ups definitely favor them in this one.
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