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Last night was, in a word, awesome. The entire team clicked to kick some Texas butt. That said, I have a question for you all. Do you like to see premier pitching matchups? Oh you do? Well then do not watch this game. For low scoring games, redirect your attention to the World Cup.
Pitchers
LHP T.J. McFarland, Baltimore
2014 stats: 14 G, 0 GS, 0-1, 2.70 ERA, 26.2 IP, 1 HR, 8 BB, 16 SO, .279 BAA, 1.39 WHIP
Last start (June 28, 2013 vs. NY Yankees): 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 SO, ND (his only career start)
Stats against Texas: 3 G, 3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 SO
McFarland may be the surprise of the bullpen in 2014. In June he threw 15.2 innings and had a minuscule ERA of 0.57. Notice, however, that was in relief. He has only one major league start to his credit and it didn't go so hot. You can see the line above.
The most pitches he has thrown this year was 67 against Oakland on June 8. So, don't expect another perfomance like what Jimenez did last night. The bullpen will be used, early and often. The first up is Brad Brach if McFarland bows out especially early.
RHP Nick Martinez, Texas
2014 stats: 15 G, 10 GS, 1-5, 4.65 ERA, 62.0 IP, 9 HR, 30 BB, 28 SO, .304 BAA, 1.69 WHIP
Last start (vs. Detroit): 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 0 SO, L
Stats against Baltimore: 1 G, 0-1 5.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 1 SO
The rookie has struggled in his first campaign with the big club. His FIP (5.53) and xFIP (5.84) are both pretty huge. They are a resutl of his poor strikeout and walk rates. He is putting on more men than he his mowing down with a K/9 of 4.06 and a BB/9 of 4.35. On top of that, his batting average against is a big .304.
Lineups
| LF Shin-Soo Choo (L) | 0-for-2 |
| SS Elvis Andrus (R) | 0-for-2 |
| RF Alex Rios (R) | none |
| 3B Adrian Beltre (R) | none |
| C Robinson Chirinos (R) | 0-for-1 |
| 1B Chris Gimenez (R) | 0-for-0, 1 BB |
| DH Adam Rosales (R) | 1-for-1 |
| 2B Rougned Odor (L) | 0-for-0, 1 BB |
| CF Daniel Robertson (R) | 0-for-0 |
Its all small sample sizes from the one or two times these players have seen McFarland. It's unlikely that the southpaw goes anymore than five innings so let's hope that the bullpen is up to the task tonight.
| RF Nick Markakis (L) | 1-for-2, .500 BA, 1 HR, 1 BB |
| LF Steve Pearce (R) | none |
| CF Adam Jones (R) | 2-for-3, .666 BA |
| DH Nelson Cruz (R) | 1-for-3, .333 BA |
| 1B Chris Davis (L) | 1-for-2, .500 BA, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO |
| SS J.J. Hardy (R) | 0-for-2, .000 BA |
| 2B Jonathan Schoop (R) | 1-for-3, .333 BA |
| 3B Ryan Flaherty (L) | none |
| C Caleb Joseph (R) | 1-for-3, .333 BA |
These numbers all come from that one start Martinez made against the O's at the beginning of June. He didn't do so well, but the defense behind him struggled as well. He is another one that doesn't go deep into games. He is a rookie, but has had just one outing go beyond six innings.