Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles will land to rebound in series-opener - MLB Previews
Until the All-Star break and at the end of the first half of the 2011 regular season, both the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles each failed to impress. Cardinals are ten games behind Major League toppers—Philadelphia Phillies, while Baltimore
Orioles has lost seven straight games since July 4.
Both will try to make rebound in their own special way in the first fixture of the four-game series to start the second half of the season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, on July 14.
The Indians will land their starter Justin Masterson and he will try to keep up his impetus at right level to crush the League rivals. Last time he appeared against the Orioles on April 15, he overpowered them, allowing only one run on four hits and struck-out
three batters over seven innings. It was his third win of the six consecutive wins to start the season.
The 26-year-old right-hand pitcher has 2-1 record with a 0.40 ERA in last four games, and he has managed 7-6 record with strong 2.64 ERA in 18 starts this season. However, his defeat in last game against the Toronto Blue Jays might have some negative effect
on his impetus.
The Indians’ batting line-up, on the other hand is struggling to bring their momentum back on track, but injury to Mitch Talbot will probably prove difficult for the Indians. Right-fielder Shin-Soo Choo went on the disabled list for two to three months while
Rookie third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall is likely to return on Thursday. Besides this, the Indians have called the Triple-A outfielder Ezequiel Carrera at camp to provide some strength in the fielding.
Their designated hitter Travis Hafner however was satisfied with the exhibition his club displayed in this season and he still believes they are one of the strong contenders of the 2011 season.
"Not many outside this clubhouse expected much," Travis Hafner said. "We've done a great job, especially with so many hitters going on the disabled list. Hopefully this break will help, we'll get to full strength and play even better."
Having no other better option, the Baltimore Orioles will again go with their inconsistence starter Jeremy Guthrie to start the series opener. Guthrie has won just one of his last ten games and has just 2-4 record with a 4.37 ERA in his last ten appearances
in Camden Yards.
However, with a batting line-up having J.J. Hardy, Derek Lee and Mark Reynolds there is still hope for the Orioles to nip their losing streak. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis will be supportive hands in rotation but it is still not confirm who will finally
be in the playing squad.
Orioles has a 36-52 record and the only positive thing for them in this game is their home crowd, as they have a 22-22 record at home, relatively better record than road games. The fans will now enter with a hope to take a winning crown over their heads.
However, all depends on the combination they use in the game.
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