Orioles Hit Road
The Baltimore Orioles might be at their best when they are behind.
They’ll try to make things a little easier on themselves Saturday when they face the Toronto Blue Jays in the middle game of their series.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Toronto -147 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 8 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 56% of bets for this game have been placed on Toronto -147 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
The Orioles (30-30) have won four of their last five games after enduring a 2-9 stretch. Making their current run even more impressive, three of the victories have been comebacks. They have won an AL-high 13 games when trailing by two or more runs.
Baltimore overcame a five-run deficit Friday when Melvin Mora, Kevin Millar and Adam Jones all homered in a six-run eighth inning, en route to a 6-5 win at Toronto (32-31) in the series opener.
"You’ve got to keep the positive energy," said Millar, who is 7-for-19 (.368) with three homers and five RBIs over the last five games. "You’ve got to fear nobody, basically. We know we’re not a powerhouse, but we’re a scrappy club."
Another strong offensive display would be a welcome change for Saturday’s starter Jeremy Guthrie (2-6, 3.58).
The right-hander is 0-3 in his last four starts despite a 2.33 ERA, as Baltimore’s offense has given him only four runs of support.
Guthrie was solid again Monday, allowing two runs in 6 1-3 innings, but the offense scored only twice for him and he didn’t factor in the decision of a 6-3 win over Boston.
"I know Guthrie as well as anybody," Orioles manager Dave Trembley told the team’s official Web site. "Guthrie is as tough as nails. Guthrie is the epitome of a team guy. Guthrie doesn’t get all wrapped up in winning and losing and all that. Guthrie is all about doing the best he can all the time and the things that are out of his control … I don’t think those things bother him."
The Blue Jays, who are looking to avoid a fourth loss in a row, hope A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.32 ERA) can continue his success against the Orioles.
The right-hander is 5-0 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts against Baltimore. He dominated Baltimore to win two meetings at home last season, allowing only three runs and six hits in 15 1-3 innings while striking out 16.
Burnett has been solid of late, posting a 3.21 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 33 2-3 innings over his last five starts. However, he only has a 2-2 record to show for it, as he’s received only 11 total runs of support in that span.
Closer B.J. Ryan wasted Burnett’s performance on Sunday by giving up two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss at Los Angeles. Burnett had held the Angels to two runs and three hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings, with both runs coming on a third-inning homer by Sean Rodriguez.
"I threw it where he could hit it, I guess," Burnett told the Blue Jays’ official Web site. "That was the only pitch I made all day that was bad. I was in control the whole time."
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