BALTIMORE- A hot and muggy day at Camden Yards where the Orioles (47-50) are just finishing up batting practice as they prepare to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight's game is the first of four against Toronto as the Orioles continue an 11-game homestand which sees them at 2-2 after a weekend split with Detroit.
Tough to sell this series as a must-watch, but if the O's want to climb out of last place in the AL East, there's no better opponent than the Jays. Toronto is fourth in the division, half a game up on Baltimore. If you can't jump four spots in one day, may as well start with the team right above you.
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Radhames Liz (3-2, 7.57 ERA) gets the start for the Orioles, while the Jays send out Jesse Litsch (8-6, 4.16 ERA). Liz is coming off his worst career start, giving up eight runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings in a 12-1 loss to Boston.
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"Other teams take advantage when he's not getting his fastball in the zone," said Manager Dave Trembley. "When he starts throwing away from the zone and falls behind in the count, he's forced to throw down the middle. At this level you don't get away with that. You want the opposite- establish the zone then start throwing away from the plate."
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Trembley added that their has been discussion about throwing Liz out of the bullpen. Trembley said that O's Bullpen Coach Alan Dunn has compared Liz to Cubs all-star reliever Carlos Marmol.
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"It seems the longer he pitches, the more his delivery gets out of whack. A shoter outing could improve his control."
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In his defense though, Trembley noted that Liz hasn't exactly played in the most hospitable stadiums, having thrown at Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. Great for a fan, not so much for an inexperienced visiting pitcher. This just in actually: Liz has never actually pitched at Yankee Stadium... guess Trembley tried to slip that one by us. Credit to MASN reporter Amber Theoharis for catching on.
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As for Toronto starter Jesse Litsch, after a 7-1 start to the season the 23-year-old righthander has lost five of his last six decisions.
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"He throws a lot of strikes," Trembley said. "A lot of balls over the plate, so we should have our chances."
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Starting Lineups:
-BALTIMORE ORIOLES (48-50, 5th AL East):
- 2B: Brian Roberts
- CF: Adam Jones
- RF: Nick Markekis
- DH: Aubrey Huff
- 3B: Melvin Mora
- LF: Luke Scott
- C: Ramon Hernandez
- 1B: Kevin Millar
- SS: Brandon Fahey
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (47-50, 4th AL East):
- RF: Joe Inglett
- 2B: Marco Scutaro
- CF: Alex Rios
- 1B: Lyle Overbay
- C: Rod Barajas
- DH: Matt Stairs
- 3B: Scott Rolen
- LF: Adam Lind
- SS: David Eckstein
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