Thursday, May 8, 2008

Orioles @ Royals (series I)


The Royals (15-18) face the Orioles (16-18) for the first time this season and it could be a good time for the Royals as the O's have lost 5 in a row.

Game 1: Daniel Cabrera (2-1, 4.06 ERA) against Luke Hochevar (2-1, 4.86 ERA)

Cabrera, now the Orioles ace, is pitching well so far this year allowing 3 runs or less in his last 5 starts. Cabrera has dominated the Royals in the past going 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA against them in 6 starts. Mark Teahen is 4 for 6 with an RBI in the past against Cabrera.

Luke Hochevar has won his last two starts throwing 6 innings in each allowing a combined 3 runs. Hochevar has never faced the Orioles.

Game 2: Steve Trachsel (1-4, 7.43 ERA) against Gil Meche (2-4, 5.98 ERA)

Steve Trachsel is in a rough patch for the Orioles, he has only gone 3 innings in his last 2 starts while allowing 10 runs. Trachsel has gone 1-3 in 9 starts against the Royals with a 4.81 ERA. Mark Grudzeilanek is 16 for 41 with 6 doubles and 3 RBI against Trachsel.

Gil Meche coming off his best start of the year looks to keep it going against the O's. In 15 previous starts Gil is 4-4 with a 2.95 ERA against the Orioles. Brian Roberts has given Meche fits in the past going 13-30 with 1 HR and 4 RBI.

Game 3: Garret Olson (1-0, 2.08 ERA) against Brett Tomko (1-3, 4.98 ERA)

Olson has two starts under his belt this season and has done well going 6 plus in each allowing a combined 3 runs. Olson has never faced the Royals.

Brett Tomko, like Meche, pitched his best start of the year his last outing throwing 7 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits. Tomko has no decisions against the Orioles in one start but has a 7.11 ERA. Kevin Millar is hitting .600 with 1 HR and 5 RBI against Meche.

Game 4: Brian Burres (3-3, 3.19 ERA0 against Brian Bannister (3-4, 4.46 ERA)

Brian Burres is pitching well allowing 3 runs or less in 6 of is 7 starts. Burres has only faced the Royals for one inning of relief and pitched a scoreless inning; only Jose Guillen has a hit against Burres, going 3 for 7.

Brian Bannister is struggling losing his last 4 outings and raising his ERA from .86 to 4.48. Bannister has never faced the Orioles.

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