Oakland @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2013 ) Baltimore 8, Oakland 9
A pivotal three-game series between two American League wild-card candidates commences on Friday when the Oakland Athletics visit the reeling Baltimore Orioles. Oakland has a three-game edge over the Orioles for the second wild card and has slipped to 2 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Baltimore has lost seven of 11 contests and has fallen 5 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis slugged his 46th homer in Wednesday’s victory over Tampa Bay to match Jim Gentile (1961) for third-most homers in franchise history. Brady Anderson (1996) holds the team mark of 50 and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson clubbed 49 in 1966. Oakland experienced a painful series while losing two of three games to Seattle as catcher Derek Norris broke a toe in Tuesday’s contest and outfielder Josh Reddick left Wednesday’s tilt with more wrist soreness.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Dan Straily (6-7, 4.22 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Bud Norris (3-1, 3.91)
Straily has lost five consecutive decisions despite allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last six starts. He fell to Cleveland in his last turn when he gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Straily lost his only career start against the Orioles last September when he allowed four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Norris is making his fifth start (and sixth appearance) since Baltimore acquired him from the Houston Astros. He defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last outing when he gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Norris is 0-2 with a 7.82 ERA in three starts against Oakland this season – lasting just 12 2/3 total innings, including failing to get out of the first frame in one start.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles closer Jim Johnson (39 saves) has blown three straight opportunities and didn’t even warm up in Wednesday’s victory over Tampa Bay. Manager Buck Showalter called on RHP Tommy Hunter to get the final three outs in that contest.
2. Oakland OF Seth Smith missed the last two games with an eye issue.
3. Baltimore OF Adam Jones is batting .407 with two homers and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Athletics 5