Orioles VS. D-Backs Series Preview
By Chris Lacey
Jul 31, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley (36) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona started the home stand on the right foot by sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays in a short two-game series, but stumbled against New York Mets. They also lost outfielder Cody Ross for possibly the rest of the season with a dislocated hip. This is a big blow because Ross was heating up. He was hitting .406 with three homers and 10 RBIs since July 26.
They will welcome in a very good Baltimore Orioles (65-52) team that is very capable of scoring runs. Baltimore has the third best offense in the American League, having scored 558 runs this season.
This is the first meeting between the two clubs this season.
Game 1 (Monday): Scott Feldman (9-9, 4.10 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (9-8, 3.56 ERA)
Pitching for the first time in more than a week, Feldman is coming off his worst start for Baltimore. The righty went 4 2/3 innings and gave up five earned runs in a loss to the Seattle Mariners.
Miley has turned his season after enduring a frustrating May and June. He is one of the hottest pitchers in baseball since July 1, posting a 1.54 ERA over his past seven outings and going 5-1 over that stretch.
Game 2 (Tuesday): Miguel Gonzalez (8-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. Randall Delgado (4-3, 3.48 ERA)
Gonzalez bounced back after a pair of rough starts in his last outing, holding the Padres to three runs over six innings of work. The right-hander is holding opposing teams to a .254 average on the season, and has issues with teams hitting .301 against him with runners in scoring position.
Delgado has hit a rough patch, allowing four earned in his previous two outings. He had only allowed three earned runs in each of his first eight starts. He lasted five innings his last time out vs. the Rays, giving up eight hits in a no-decision.
Game 3 (Wednesday): Chris Tillman (14-3, 3.73 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (12-3, 2.36 ERA)
Tillman was denied his 15th win in his last start, but he was still brilliant. He struck out a career-high nine batters and held the Giants to one run over eight innings.
Corbin has a 2.70 ERA in his last three outings, but is 0-2 in that span and will be searching for his first victory since July 23. His season ERA of 2.36 ranks third in the NL, trailing only Clayton Kershaw and Matt Harvey.