Where: Camden Yards
Pat’s prediction Record: 22-18
GAME 1
When: 7:05
The Starters: Jason Hammel vs Bruce Chen
The Orioles will be taking on the Royals in a three game series at Camden Yards, before heading to Toronto to play the Blue Jays. For the first game of this series, the Royals have former Oriole, Bruce Chen on the mound. Chen has been solid this year, and has pitched especially well of late. He has a 3-4 record with a 4.17 ERA, which is just about what his average ERA is in his career. He started off the year well, then hit a tough stretch in the middle. But now he has been back on track in his last couple of starts. The Royals have a record of 3-9 when Chen starts a game so far this year. As for Jason Hammel, the Orioles starter. This will be his first start since getting his knee drained on Monday. It will be interesting to see how that affects his performance. He has been great all year, he has a 5-1 record to go along with a great 3.12 ERA. He leads the Orioles pitchers in every statistical category except strikeouts. He had some trouble in his last couple of starts after pitching phenomenal before that. This is his first time facing the Royals this year. I think that the Orioles will take game 1 5-4 but it will be very close.
GAME 2
When: 4:05
The starters: Wei-Yin Chen vs. Felipe Paulino
In the second game of this series, the Orioles have rookie Wei-Yin Chen on the mound. Chen had his first bad start last game when he pitched against the Nationals on the 20th. He allowed six runs in just 4.1 innings pitched. But that has been his only real blemish so far. No other game has he allowed more than three runs or went for less than five innings. It will be important for Chen’s confidence to get back on track in this one. He is still 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA this year and has been fantastic. The O’s have their two best pitchers on the mound to start this one. As for the Royals starter, Felipe Paulino. He has only made four starts this year, but three of them have been great, not allowing any runs. One of those starts included against the Orioles where he pitched seven innings and didn’t allow a run. unfortunately for him, the bullpen blew it and the Orioles still won. That means that it will be important for the O’s to get into the Royals bullpen early in this game. I think that the Orioles will win this one 7-3, and the Orioles will have a good day at the plate.
GAME 3
When: 1:35
The Starters: Tommy Hunter vs. Luke Hochevar
For the final game of this three game series, the Royals have Luke Hochevar, who has been very below average this year. His ERA so far this year is very high at 6.61 with a 3-5 record. He pitched once against the Orioles this year and gave up four runs in six innings pitched. Which isn’t terrible but certainly not a good start. The Royals are only 3-6 in games that Hochevar has started. as for the Orioles pitcher, Tommy Hunter, he has pitched well against the Royals this year. In his one start against them he let up two runs in seven innings pitched. This is a huge start for Hunter because with Britton coming back in a few weeks, his spot in the rotation is in jeopardy. My personal opinion is that Arrieta or Matusz lose their spot rather than Hunter, but I guess the Orioles don’t think that. The rest of Hunter’s starts before Britton gets back better be good if he wants to keep his spot. I think that Hunter will pitch well and the Orioles will get the must-have sweep, and win this one 6-1.