Series Preview: Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles May 12th – 14th

Despite the disappointing Mother’s Day loss for the Orioles, the O’s continue to lead the American League East. Tomorrow begins a series against the American League Central leading Detroit Tigers.

Detroit arrives in Baltimore sporting a 21-12 record. The Tigers are 8-4 on the road, and 2-1 vs. the East (a series win vs. the O’s in April). The O’s are 9-7 at home, and 3-6 against the AL Central.

(You can discuss this series on the BSL Board here.)

Detroit:

Runs: 8th

Batting Average: 2nd

On-base %: 5th

Slugging %: 4th

ERA: 9th

Quality Starts: 10th

WHIP: 6th

Batting Average Against: 7th

Defensive Efficiency: 13th

Baltimore:

Runs: 17th

Batting Average: 4th

On-base %: 19th

Slugging %: 8th

ERA: 20th

Quality Starts: 28th

WHIP: 28th

Batting Average Against: 28th

Defensive Efficiency: 28th

Pitching Match-ups:

5/12: Porcello vs. Norris

5/13: Smyly (LHP) vs. Jimenez

5/14: Verlander vs. Gausman

Detroit Tigers Depth Chart

C: Alex Avila – .726 OPS

1st: Miguel Cabrera – .818 OPS

2nd: Ian Kinsler – .776 OPS (UZR/150 1.0)

SS: Andrew Romine – .556 OPS (UZR/150 21.3)

3rd: Nick Castellanos – .687 OPS (UZR/150 11.4)

LF: Rajai Davis – .762 OPS (UZR/150 -6.7)

CF: Austin Jackson – .831 OPS (UZR/150 -8.7)

RF: Torri Hunter – .805 OPS (UZR/150 -44.8)

DH: Victor Martinez – .954 OPS

Bench: Holaday, Worth, Kelly, J. Martinez

Bullpen: Nathan, Alburquerque, Chamberlain, Krol, Coke, Reed, Miller

Tigers Reading:

Walkoff Woodward (ESPN Sweetspot)

Bless You Boys (SB Nation)

Detroit Free Press

Detroit Tigers.com

New English D

Series Questions & Thoughts:

1) I’m not going to claim a series in early May has any profound importance, but it is a series of respective Division leaders. Teams always want to measure themselves against the best. Detroit certainly has the look of a team that will contend to represent the American League in the World Series. The Tigers won the series between these teams in Detroit; you would like to see the O’s hold serve at Oriole Park.

2) Will Showalter call on Hunter if the situation calls for it? On the year, Hunter has appeared in 16 games. In his 14.1 innings, he has allowed 20 hits, 1 hr, 4 bb’s, with 14 k’s. He’s 1-0, with 11 saves, and 2 blown saves. Left handed hitters have a .867 OPS against him. Right handed hitters have a .943 OPS against him. You like that he doesn’t beat himself with walks, but it’s concerning that hitters from both sides of the plate are having such success against him. Right now, Hunter’s seat is getting warm. Not so much due to the 2 blown saves in his 13 opportunities; but because the conversions have been difficult as well. What happens if Hunter blows another save in this series? Is that going to force a switching of roles in the ‘pen? After Hunter’s blown save Saturday night, there were many calls throughout Social Media for Britton to replace Hunter as the O’s Closer. I agree with those who have voiced the opinion that would not be preferred, as you would like Britton to remain available for potentially higher leverage situations as he is being utilized now. A month ago, BSL Orioles Analyst Patrick Dougherty articulated a vision that many of us hold, the idea of ‘Closer by Committee.’ Conceptually, it’s ideal in-my-opinion. In-practice, I think it could be more difficult to pull off. Showalter likes having a bullpen of set roles (and many relievers talk about feeling more ‘comfortable’ in said situations). It’s easier to have set roles for everyone else, if you have that Closer you can consistently rely on. Of course the negative connotation of these questions can be avoided if Hunter can start to string together some more effective outings.

3) Sunday saw the return of Davis, and Wieters replacing him on the DL. Wieters will be rested for 2-3 weeks, and the hope is he will be fine after that. If Wieters isn’t ready to return after that time-frame, the O’s can continue to give him a bit more time. The thought is that a decision on if he would require surgery, would have to be made by July 1st. The idea being that if he did require the surgery, that July 1st would be the latest surgery could be delayed and he could still have enough rehab time to be ready for the 2015 season. The tie in for this series vs. Detroit, is that it is another series of evaluation for Clevenger and Joseph as the O’s catching duo. There have been reports this weekend (Ken Rosenthal / FOX Sports for one) that the O’s have been shopping for another Catcher with Troy Patton being used as bait.