Baltimore @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2019 ) Detroit 4, Baltimore 2

The Baltimore Orioles are one defeat away from losing 100 games for the second consecutive season but they still do not own the worst record in the major leagues. That dubious honor belongs to the Detroit Tigers, who also have the worst home record in baseball entering the opener of a four-game series against the visiting Orioles on Friday night.

Detroit opened its seven-game homestand with a dramatic 12-11 victory over the New York Yankees, but was swept in a doubleheader Thursday to fall to 19-52 at Comerica Park. Harold Castro is 14-for-29 over the past seven games for the Tigers, who have lost 14 of 18 and held the opposition under four runs only twice in that span. Baltimore managed only two hits in losing the series finale to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night to cap a 1-6 homestand. Pedro Severino homered in each of the last two nights and has five RBIs during a four-game hitting streak for the Orioles, who have dropped 10 of 12.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Aaron Brooks (4-8, 6.21 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-10, 6.27)

Brooks saw his three-start unbeaten streak end with a thud last time out against Texas, lasting only 2 2/3 innings and getting pounded for seven runs (six earned) and six hits. He also had an abbreviated outing in his previous turn at Kansas City, not factoring in the decision after giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings. Dawel Lugo belted a three-run homer at Comerica Park off Brooks on May 16 when the 29-year-old was still pitching with Oakland.

Zimmermann's winless drought reached six starts at Oakland on Saturday when he was roughed up for six runs and seven hits (two homers) over five innings. The 33-year-old pitched well in his previous four turns but had nothing to show for it, permitting two runs or fewer in each outing and notching a pair of quality starts. Chris Davis is 6-for-11 with four homers off Zimmeermann, who remains in search of his first victory at Comerica, going 0-6 with a 6.80 ERA in nine starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera is riding a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Orioles OF Trey Mancini has hit safely in six of seven games but is only 1-for-11 against Detroit this season.

3. Tigers OF Victor Reyes had his 13-game hitting streak snapped in Thursday's second contest.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Orioles 5