Baltimore @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2011 ) Baltimore 8, Kansas City 2

THE STORY: Above anything the last two months, the Baltimore Orioles would like to see improvement and better health in their starting rotation. The Orioles are last in the majors in ERA and batting average against overall and could lose wins leader Jake Arrieta for the season with an elbow injury. A decision on surgery for Arrieta will be made soon. Baltimore starters had a 7.01 ERA in July. The Orioles will send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound to try against the host Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. Baltimore has won five of seven against Kansas City in 2011.

TV: 8:10 p.m. EST; MASN (Baltimore), FS-KC (Kansas City).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie (5-14, 4.18) vs. Royals RH Luke Hochevar (7-8, 5.15).

Guthrie has won two of his last three starts. He beat the Yankees in his last outing July 29, giving up one run over seven innings. Guthrie is 2-0 lifetime against Kansas City with a 5.22 ERA in 29 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs – four earned – over seven innings against the Royals May 26 without getting a decision. Melky Cabrera is 11-for-27 with a homer and seven RBIs against Guthrie.

Hochevar has won three straight decisions and has not lost since June 21. He gave up two runs over seven innings against Boston July 28 in his last outing. Hochevar allowed eight runs – seven earned – over seven innings against Baltimore May 25 and is 0-4 against the Orioles lifetime with a 7.98 ERA over 29 1/3 innings. Adam Jones is 5-for-12 against Hochevar.

ABOUT THE ORIOLES (43-63): Baltimore came through with the bats in the first game of the series, getting four two-out RBIs. Mark Reynolds, who struggled in July, had five RBIs to match a career high and give him 60. He stands second on the team behind Jones (63). Newly acquired first baseman Chris Davis had two RBIs, including his first home run as an Oriole in his second game. Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero is 10-for-24 the last six games and catcher Matt Wieters continues to struggle, going 3-for-36 the last nine games.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (46-63): Kansas City had a big chance in the first inning Tuesday with runners at second and third, a run in and one out, but did not cash in. The Royals managed just four hits the rest of the way. It is likely a blip on the screen for a red-hot lineup. Cabrera had two of the hits and is 19-for-47 in his last 10 games and Eric Hosmer registered his 10th RBI in 11 games. Billy Butler also knocked in his 13th run in his last eight games. The Royals’ bullpen has pitched pretty well much of the season, but gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings Tuesday.

FINAL PITCH: Baltimore claimed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday. Reyes was 5-8 in 20 starts with a 5.40 ERA for the Jays. He started the season 0-4.