Orioles-Tigers series preview: Both teams stumble into three-game series

The Baltimore Orioles (6-19) finished their two-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays by getting swept. Baltimore’s first game of the series was postponed due to inclement weather. This was after the Cleveland Indians took three out of four games from the Orioles to begin the now nine-game homestand. The Orioles will take on the Detroit Tigers beginning Friday in a three-game series.

Detroit is coming off an 1-0 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates and 2-1 series defeat at the hands of the Pirates. The Tigers currently sit at second place in the AL Central and have a 10-13 record with a 4-6 record on the road. Detroit currently ranks eighth in the MLB in batting average (.257), 13^th in on-base percentage (.319) and seventh in slugging percentage (.418).

Pitching-wise, the Tigers are ranked 18^th in the MLB in team ERA (4.17). They also have struck out 174 batters this season, which ranks for 28^th in the league. The team has only allowed 78 walks this season, ranking for 21^st in the MLB.

Baltimore went 3-4 against Detroit in 2017, with a 2-2 record against the Tigers at home.

Game One: Friday, 7:05 PM

RHP Chris Tillman (0-4, 9.87) vs. RHP Mike Fiers (2-1, 3.71)

Tillman will take the mound for the Orioles on Friday. He is coming off of his best start of the season on Sunday against the Indians, where he went six innings and allowed four runs.

Tillman has seen his fair share of struggles this season. With a 9.87 ERA, eight strikeouts and a whopping 2.365 WHIP in 17.1 innings, he will look to continue to take another step in the right direction.

As for Fiers, he came off of a 5.1-inning, four-run performance against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. He currently has a 3.71 ERA, 10 strikeouts and a 1.412 WHIP in 17 innings.

Game Two: Saturday, 7:05 PM

RHP Andrew Cashner (1-3, 3.60) vs. LHP Francisco Liriano (2-1, 3.13)

Cashner is coming off of an outing where he went six innings and allowed four runs to Cleveland. His ERA is currently sitting at 3.60, he has 28 strikeouts and a 1.333 WHIP in 30 innings.

Liriano went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs in his last start against the Royals. He has a 3.13 ERA, 20 strikeouts and 1.130 WHIP in 23 innings this season.

Game Three: Sunday, 1:05 PM

RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.66) vs. LHP Daniel Norris (0-1, 4.85)

Gausman has had three consecutive quality starts since his April 11 start against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he pitched six innings and allowed three runs. In his past two starts against Detroit and Cleveland, Gausman has gone to a new windup and he has continued his success, allowing just four runs in 14 innings.

This season, Gausman has a 4.66 ERA with 26 strikeouts and a 1.310 WHIP this season in 29 innings.

Norris has been in the bullpen most of the year, with three of his four outings coming in relief. His last appearance was a two-inning relief outing in Pittsburgh on April 25. He allowed one run. Norris has had a 4.85 ERA, 16 strikeouts and a 1.538 WHIP in 13 innings.