Detroit @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2012 ) Detroit 6, Baltimore 4
The Detroit Tigers were one of the few teams that did not welcome the All-Star break. Winners of a season-high five consecutive games, the Tigers will look to keep the momentum going when they visit the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game series starting Friday night. Although the Tigers' winning streak came at the expense of division also-rans Kansas City and Minnesota, it propelled Detroit within 3 1/2 games of the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox.
The break came at an opportune time for the Orioles, who have gone 16-23 in their last 39 games after a 29-17 start to the year. Baltimore scored only two runs in losing two of three to the Los Angeles Angels and were shut out in the final two games. After scoring in only one of 27 innings against the Angels, the Orioles will welcome back outfielder Nick Markakis, who has been sidelined since breaking the hamate bone in his wrist on May 29.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSD, MASN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (2-6, 4.75 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (8-5, 3.47 ERA)
Fister broke a three-start losing streak last time out, but it was hardly a top-notch performance as he gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings of an 8-7 win over Kansas City. He has allowed 23 runs in 20 1/3 innings in his last four outings and is 0-4 in six road starts this season. He was pounded for eight runs and 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings at Baltimore last year.
Hammel lost his final three starts heading into the All-Star break, although he pitched well last time out, giving up three runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Hammel has gone 4-1 with a 3.53 ERA in seven home starts. He's 2-0 with a save in six appearances (three starts) again Detroit, but has a 6.20 ERA and 1.82 WHIP against the Tigers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers LF Delmon Young has homered in four straight games and Home Run Derby champ Prince Fielder has gone deep three times in four games.
2. The Orioles are looking to end a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons.
3. Tigers CF Austin Jackson is riding a career-high 15-game hitting streak.