Chicago @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Baltimore 4
The Baltimore Orioles are a different team under Buck Showalter - just ask the Chicago White Sox.
The Orioles will vie for their sixth win in seven games under Showalter and claim a second consecutive series when they wrap up a four-game set against the White Sox on Monday.
Since bringing Showalter in as manager, Baltimore swept the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a three-game series and has taken two of the first three games against the White Sox.
For whatever reason, the Orioles are suddenly pitching well since Showalter arrived.
Jeremy Guthrie was the latest hurler to turn in a strong performance as he allowed one run and six hits in eight innings of Sunday's 4-3 victory. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced.
Since taking the reigns, Showalter has watched his starting pitchers perform to the tune of a sub-2.00 ERA (1.94). Each hurler has tossed at least six innings in each start.
Baltimore rookie Brian Matusz will try to keep the streak of impressive starts going on Monday and he has already contributed one stellar outing. The fourth pick of the 2008 draft, Matusz won at home for the first time all season on Wednesday in Showalter's second game as manager. The victory was his first in 11 starts.
Matusz (4-11) is 1-7 at Camden Yards, but he did hancuff the Angels by allowing one run and seven hits in six innings. He will be facing the White Sox for the first time.
Chicago is just looking to get out of town with a split and while staying on top of the AL Central.
The White Sox have a half-game lead on the Minnesota Twins and will send Edwin Jackson to the mound to try and preserve it.
Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade near the deadline, Jackson allowed one run and nine hits with six strikeouts in seven innings on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers.
A former Tiger, Jackson does have a history against the Orioles. The right-hander has posted a 4-1 mark in seven games, including five starts.
Jackson had lost four straight starts - all with Arizona - before his recent victory. He is 2-4 since throwing a no-hitter at the Tampa Bay Rays on June 25.