Baltimore @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2012 ) Oakland 1, Baltimore 6
The Baltimore Orioles did their best to give the faithful at Camden Yards quite a show before embarking on a nine-game road trip. After capping a sweep with a stirring 3-2 triumph in 14 innings, Baltimore will travel across the country to open a pivotal three-game set against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The Orioles, who remain tied with New York atop the American League East, have won 14 of their last 19 games.
Oakland has also been on a tear, save for its lopsided 6-0 setback to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon. The Athletics, who sit three games behind Texas in the AL West, still claimed three of four and won all but one on their seven-game road trip. Oakland will begin a tough stretch as it welcomes Baltimore for three games before starting a 10-game road trip versus Detroit, New York and Texas.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), CSCA (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Joe Saunders (2-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (12-10, 3.90)
Saunders improved to 13-4 in his career versus the Athletics after yielding two runs in six solid innings in a 4-3 triumph on June 10. The 31-year-old has won two in a row after dropping five of his previous six. Saunders, who has kept the ball in the yard in his last three starts, worked 5 1/3 solid innings in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees on Saturday.
Milone posted his third win in four outings - and did so in spectacular fashion. The 25-year-old matched a career high with 10 strikeouts in six sizzling innings as Oakland recorded a 4-2 victory over Seattle on Sunday. Milone has yet to face Baltimore in his brief career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland rookie Yoenis Cespedes exited Thursday's game with a sprained right wrist, but is listed as day-to-day.
2. Baltimore's Adam Jones saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end on Thursday.
3. After watching Brandon Moss make four straight starts at first base, Chris Carter is expected to return to the lineup against the left-handed Saunders.