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How often do we see it, the guy hits a walk off double and then starts on the mound the next day? Am I right?
Pitchers
RHP Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee
2014 stats: 10 G, 2-3, 3.51 ERA, 59.0 IP, 7 HR, 19 BB, 41 SO, .243 BAA, 1.39 WHIP
Last start (@ Atlanta): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 SO, 4 ER, L
| Pitch Type | Usage | Velocity |
| Fastball | 55.1% | 91.1 |
| Slider | 27.6% | 86.7 |
| Curveball | 16.5% | 79.0 |
| Change-up | 0.7% | 85.7 |
Gallardo, who has been the staff ace in years past, has been ok this year. He is only striking out 6.25 per nine innings pitched. That is two-and-a-half less K's per nine than his career average. On the other hand, he is walking less people this year.
His batting average on balls in play is only .264, meaning he has been a tad lucky. Perhaps the hot-hitting O's can push that luck tonight and break through for some runs.
RHP Bud Norris, Baltimore
2014 stats: 9 G, 3-4, 3.83 ERA, 56.1 IP, 7 HR, 17 BB, 39 SO, .238 BAA, 1.17 WHIP
Last start (vs. Cleveland): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 SO, 4 ER, W
Norris has been the most steady part of the rotation. He didn't meet his own standards last time out against the Indians, only managing to go six innings and giving up four runs.
In a similar way that Gallardo has been fortunate, Norris also has a significantly low BAABIP. It's only .259. His career number is .308 so it is bound to rocket towards .300. Before that happens, Norris needs to strike out more guys and keep his walks low if he is to maintain the early season success he has had.
Lineups
Orioles (w/ 2014 stats against right-handers)
| RF Nick Markakis (L) | .299 BA, 8 2B, 3 HR, 14 BB, 14 SO |
| 3B Manny Machado (R) | .257 BA, 2 HR, 8 BB, 9 SO |
| CF Adam Jones (R) | .244 BA, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 1 BB, 42 SO |
| 1B Chris Davis (L) | .235 BA, 4 2B, 5 HR, 21 BB, 29 SO |
| LF Nelson Cruz (R) | .276 BA, 8 2B, 13 HR, 11 BB, 40 SO |
| SS J.J. Hardy (R) | .320 BA, 9 2B, 2 BB, 23 SO |
| C Nick Hundley (R) | .263 BA, 3 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 16 SO |
| 2B Jonathan Schoop (R) | .250 BA, 7 2B, 5 HR, 2 BB, 30 SO |
| P Bud Norris (R) | career batting: 170 AB, .147/.169/.176, 5 2B |
Only three current Orioles have ever faced Gallardo. Hundley is 3-for-7 with two doubles, Steve Pearce is 2-for-14, and Delmon Young is 0-for-10.
A positive thing that has come out of this series is it shows that Oriole bats can hang with one of the top teams in baseball. As weird as it is to say, Milwaukee has been great this year. Their team ERA is one of the seven lowest in the game. Gallardo has been solid again this season so this should be a good test for this lineup
Brewers (w. career stats against Norris)
| SS Jean Segura (R) | 1-for-3, .333 BA |
| RF Ryan Braun (R) | 9-for-28, .321 BA, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO |
| C Jonathan Lucroy (R) | 2-for-13, .154 BA, 3 BB, 3 SO |
| CF Carlos Gomez (R) | 0-for-11, .000 BA, 1 BB, 5 SO |
| 3B Mark Reynolds (R) | 1-for-5, .200 BA, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO |
| 2B Scooter Gennett (L) | none |
| LF Khris Davis (R) | none |
| 1B Lyle Overbay (L) | 3-for-11, .273 BA, 2 HR, 1 BB, 4 SO |
| P Yovani Gallardo (R) | career batting: 377 AB, .204/.232/.353, 12 HR, 20 2B |
Many of these guys did see Norris a few times when he was a member of the Astros. As you can see, it's a mixed bag. Braun has crushed him, but that guy hits everyone.
Ok, I realize it is bad that T.J. McFarland gave up a walk off double to Gallardo last night, but he has some pretty awesome numbers at the plate. He has more power than the likes of David Lough and Steve Lombardozzi.
Overall, this team is middle of the pack in many offensive categories. Norris has been a calming force in the rotation. Expect more of the same as he gets back on track from his last outing.
Notes
- Norfolk catcher Johnny Monell has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations
- Since Opening Day 2013, Chris Davis leads the MLB with 11.85 at-bats per home run. Nelson Cruz (13.70) is second.
- Francisco Peguero is headed to Baltimore to undergo an exam on his hamstrings.
- Evan Meek has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving a spot open on the 40-man roster.