Baltimore @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 15, 2012 ) Detroit 4, Baltimore 0

Barring a collapse by the New York Yankees, the wild card appears to be the only avenue to the playoffs for the Baltimore Orioles. Holding down one of the two wild-card spots in the American League, the Orioles will have to hold off a crowd of contenders as they open a six-game road trip with three games against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. Baltimore had its three-game winning streak snapped by Boston on Thursday night, but has still won nine of its last 12 games.

The Tigers are sitting one game back of the Orioles for the wild card and trail the division-leading Chicago White Sox by 2 1/2 games in the AL Central. Detroit showed signs of emerging from its funk by winning its last two games in Minnesota behind some staunch pitching and timely hitting. Miguel Cabrera is batting .471 (8-for-17) with a homer, two doubles and seven RBIs during a four-game hitting streak. He leads the majors with 103 RBIs.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSD (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (4-7, 5.54 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-7, 2.46)

Hunter has lost three straight decisions and is winless in his last four starts. He went five innings in his last outing against Kansas City, allowing three runs on eight hits while not factoring in the decision. He continues to get torched by the long ball, surrendering 27 home runs in only 112 innings. He is 2-0 with a stellar 0.64 ERA in two starts vs. the Tigers, but hasn't faced them since 2010.

Verlander has owned a number of opponents but has been especially dominant against the Orioles, logging a 7-0 record and 2.71 ERA in 10 career starts against them. He is coming off back-to-back superb outings, striking out a career high-tying 14 in a 7-2 win over the Yankees and allowing one run in seven innings vs. Texas last time out. Verlander won at Baltimore last month with eight scoreless innings of three-hit ball.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera hit his 30th home run Wednesday, becoming the first Detroit player to hit 30 in five consecutive years.

2. Hunter has been tagged for 27 homers and has been taken deep in 12 of his last 13 outings. Orioles 3B Mark Reynolds has three homers and nine RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Verlander needs five strikeouts to reclaim the major-league lead from teammate Max Scherzer (178).