Tigers vs. Orioles Wednesday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Baltimore would tie league record by allowing at least 9 runs seventh straight game

There are many reasons that the Baltimore Orioles are a terrible team again this year, but certainly a big one is a team ERA of 5.65 that is easily the worst in the majors. The Birds have allowed at least nine runs in six straight games and would tie the big-league record by surrendering at least that many again tonight against the visiting Detroit Tigers. Detroit is a short favorite on the Caesars Sportsbook MLB odds with a total of 10.

During this six-game run against the Yankees, Rays and Tigers, the Orioles have given up 63 runs with a high of 13 and have scored just 23. The team ERA in that stretch is 10.21 and there have been seven wild pitches. The last team to allow at least nine runs in six straight games was Kansas City in 2002. Only 10 clubs have done it overall. Baltimore is 0-24 when allowing nine-or-more runs this season.

The two clubs to allow at least nine runs in seven straight games were the 2000 Seattle Mariners, who gave up a total of 77 from Aug. 8-Aug. 20 that year; and the 1901 New York Giants, who allowed 90 runs from Sept. 3-6 – doubleheaders were common back then.

A few weeks ago, if you had told me that Matt Harvey (6-10, 6.13) was on the mound the chances of the Orioles giving up nine runs again tonight would have been quite good. However, Harvey has largely turned his season around. He had three straight starts of at least six innings and zero runs allowed before leaving early last Wednesday at the Yankees after giving up two runs over four to snap a 22.1-inning scoreless streak.

It was a minor knee injury, but he's good to go here. Harvey will be making his third career start and fourth appearance vs. Detroit and is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He blanked the Tigers over 6.1 innings in Detroit on July 30.

Harvey will not have to worry about one key Tigers hitter in excellent rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo (.267, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 14 SB). Baddoo was involved in a high-speed outfield collision with teammate Derek Hill (also may miss this one) in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's win over the Orioles and is being evaluated for a concussion and shoulder injury.

The Tigers start lefty Tarik Skubal (7-10, 4.32) on the mound. He was opposite Harvey on July 30 and allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in a loss but comes off five shutout innings in a home win over Boston.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will the Orioles allow at least nine runs tonight?

• No -1000
• Yes +700

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