Tuesday night Orioles game thread: vs. White Sox, 7:05

Have you heard? The Orioles have not been very good at home. Since returning from Tampa on Friday, they’ve gone 0-and-4 and given up 38 runs. How bad has the bullpen been? Put it this way: in Orioles history, position players have been called on to pitch all of twelve times. This past month, we’ve seen three—two in the last three days. As much as I love to see Chris Davis and Jesús Sucre being team players, things are looking decidedly out-of-whack.

Tonight the O’s look to right the ship and take Game 2 from the theoretically still quite beatable Sox (9-12). The righty Ivan Nova (0-2, 6.23 ERA) has the start for Chicago.

Dwight Smith, Jr. is back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game early with a quad strain. Rounding out the outfield is Joey Rickard in CF hitting sixth and the hot-hitting Mancini in right, batting second. Chris Davis, who has a .286 average and 4 home runs against Nova in 35 at bats, gets the start tonight at first. Jonathan Villar has a 3-for-8 record, including one home run, and Rio Ruiz is 3-for-4 facing Nova, for a .750 average. Let’s hope it continues.

Count me among those relieved to see Andrew Cashner (3-1, 4.97 ERA) getting the start today. He’s been something of a stopper for the rotation of late. You can check out Harrison Jozwiak’s series preview for more on the pitching matchup.

Let’s go O’s!

1. Jonathan Villar 2B

2. Trey Mancini RF

3. Dwight Smith Jr. LF

4. Renato Núñez DH

5. Rio Ruiz 3B

6. Joey Rickard CF

7. Chris Davis 1B

8. Jesús Sucre C

9. Richie Martin SS

RHP Andrew Cashner