Toronto @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2011 ) Toronto 2, Baltimore 6
THE STORY: The Baltimore Orioles haven't done much against Ricky Romero over their past two encounters with the veteran lefthander. They will try to reverse their recent fortunes against him Sunday as they close out a weekend series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Baltimore counters with righthander Alfredo Simon.
TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (9-9, 2.98 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Alfredo Simon (3-4, 3.83).
Romero's last two meetings with the Orioles have heavily favored the 26-year-old. He has allowed only one run on seven hits over his last 16 1/3 innings against Baltimore, and pitched shutout ball into the ninth inning of a 3-0 win on July 27. Romero's last start was equally exceptional as he limited Tampa Bay to one hit over eight innings of a 3-1 triumph. Simon was on the wrong end of Romero's last victory against the Orioles, but bounced back nicely. The 29-year-old righty held Kansas City to a run over seven strong innings as Baltimore prevailed 8-2 over the Royals five days ago. Simon is 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA in six appearances at Camden Yards this season.
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (57-56): The fun times are getting fewer and further between for Toronto outfielder Eric Thames. The 24-year-old rookie got off to a sizzling start to the season but has fizzled so far in August, hitting only 1-for-17 for the month. That has dropped his average from the low .300s down to .264, the lowest it has been since May 31. He went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in Saturday's 6-2 loss and has whiffed 10 times in his last five games. Toronto hitters come into Sunday's start with a collective .293 average against Simon, with J.P. Arencibia, Jose Bautista and Adam Lind all homering off him.
ABOUT THE ORIOLES (44-66): The end may be near for Baltimore designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero - at least, from a statistical standpoint. The 36-year-old slugger is starting to show his age - and a significant decline in power that has seen him hit only nine homers in 357 at-bats so far this season. Guerrero has gone deep five times in his last 72 games, with only his half-decent .283 average keeping him in the lineup on a regular basis. Guerrero has fared well against Romero in his career - 10-for-24. Baltimore is hitting a collective .249 versus Sunday's starter, with five home runs in 221 at-bats.
FINAL PITCH: Romero has more career victories against Baltimore (five) than any other major-league team.