Baltimore @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2013 ) Baltimore 1, Detroit 5

Justin Verlander puts his unbeaten record against Baltimore on the line Tuesday, when the Detroit Tigers host the Orioles in the second contest of a three-game set. Verlander is 8-0 with a 2.93 ERA in 12 career starts vs. the Orioles, including a victory in Baltimore on June 1. The Tigers won Monday’s opener behind solid pitching by Max Scherzer, who became the American League’s first 10-game winner.

Zach Britton will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday to start for Baltimore in place of Jason Hammel, who will miss his turn due to a stomach virus. Orioles slugger Chris Davis continued his strong season by belting his major league-leading 24th homer for Baltimore’s lone run on Monday. Detroit standout Miguel Cabrera hit his 19th homer, a two-run shot that increased his major league-high RBI count to 71.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Baltimore), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Zach Britton (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (8-4, 3.41)

Hammel’s illness isn’t expected to prevent him from missing a second start, so it is likely Britton will be returned to Norfolk in the coming days. This will be his second big-league start of the season following a loss on April 29 in which he gave up six runs and 10 hits in six innings against Seattle. Britton is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career outings against Detroit.

Verlander gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings of the recent win over the Orioles, allowing two solo homers by J.J. Hardy. He received a no-decision in his last turn, when he allowed three hits in seven scoreless frames against the Kansas City Royals. Verlander hasn’t lost since May 16, when the Texas Rangers rocked him for eight runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera has 16 homers and 44 RBIs in 43 career games against the Orioles.

2. Baltimore CF Adam Jones is 2-for-24 with eight strikeouts vs. Verlander.

3. Detroit 2B Omar Infante went 4-for-4 in the opener to raise his average to .375 in June.

PREDICTION: Tigers 7, Orioles 2