Baltimore @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2007 ) Baltimore 3, Arizona 8

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be without hot-hitting outfielder Cody Ross when they open a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Ross was carted off the field with a dislocated hip on Sunday, an injury he suffered when he stumbled to the ground while trying to beat out a grounder. Ross, who was batting .395 over his last 12 games, is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Baltimore is 4-1 during an eight-game trip against National League West teams and is 1 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics for the American League’s second wild-card spot. The Orioles are also very much in the hunt for the AL East crown while sitting a distant third behind Boston and Tampa Bay. Arizona is 5 1/2 games behind Cincinnati for the NL’s second wild-card as the Los Angeles Dodgers pull away in the NL West.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Scott Feldman (2-3, 5.70 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (9-8, 3.56)

Feldman has struggled in three of his six starts since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs. He has lost his last two outings, giving up nine runs and 13 hits in 9 2/3 innings during the stretch. Feldman is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against Arizona.

Miley has won three consecutive starts and five of his last six outings. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts. Miley has a 1.44 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in four starts since the All-Star break.

WALK-OFFS

1. Highly regarded Arizona 3B Matt Davidson was recalled when 3B Eric Chavez (knee, hip) was placed on the disabled list on Sunday. Davidson recorded his first major-league hit in Sunday’s contest against the New York Mets.

2. Baltimore CF Adam Jones is batting .472 with two homers and 11 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

3. Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill is 8-for-16 with two homers and seven RBIs over the past four games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Orioles 4