ORIOLES @ ASTROS
May 26-28, 2017
What happened in the last series?
The Orioles (25-20) just got swept by the Twins at home and have lost nine of their last 12. They’re not particularly good on the road, with a 10-13 record away from Camden Yards.
Meanwhile, the Astros (32-16) were able to wash out a little bit of the bad taste from the Indians sweep, taking three of four from the Tigers in sometimes-ugly fashion.
Schedule/Probables
Friday, May 26 – 7:10pm CDT
Kevin Gausman (2-3, 6.65) vs. Joe Musgrove (3-4, 5.63)
More like Kevin Gascan, amirite??? Gausman is prone to getting lit up, with a WHIP of 1.86 and having had several starts where he’s allowed 4-5 runs or more. He’s done better of late, though, with quality starts against the Blue Jays and Nationals. He had a 6.17 ERA against the Astros last season despite racking up 15 K’s in two starts.
Musgrove would almost certainly like to have back his disastrous start against the Indians. The O’s may not be the best team to rebound against: last year he gave up eight runs in 5.1 innings in Baltimore.
Saturday, May 27 – 6:15pm CDT
Wade Miley (1-2, 2.59) vs. Dallas Keuchel (7-0, 1.84)
Miley has been one of the better Orioles starters this year, at times times able to work deep into games (three starts of seven or more innings). He’s been haunted by allowing walks, though, with five starts where he’s allowed four or more free passes. Only his 49 K’s keep his K:BB ratio anywhere close to respectability. The Astros faced him three times in 2016 and hung a 6.28 ERA on him.
This will be Keuchel’s first start back from the DL, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a relatively low pitch count. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a very effective outing anyway; he pitched eight innings of 2-run ball against the O’s last season.
Sunday, May 28 – 1:10pm CDT
Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2, 7.17) vs. Lance McCullers, Jr. (5-1, 2.43)
Look for the Waldo family behind the Astros bullpen in this one. Or don’t.
Jimenez has been the worst regular starter for Baltimore in 2017. Outside of a relief appearance and a two-hitter he took into the 8th against the Reds, he’s been tagged with four or more earned runs in every other appearance he’s had this year.
McCullers, of course, had a fantastic outing against the Tigers, giving up the only hit in the combined one-hitter on Tuesday. He has been outstanding against the O’s through his short career, with a 2-0 record, 1.29 ERA, and 21(!) strikeouts in two starts.