Surging Indians take on Arrieta and Orioles Friday

The Baltimore Orioles may not have the record or reputation to be considered a competitive team, but they have plenty of fire-power throughout their line-up and a good enough pitching staff to give all of the contenders in the American League a tough time in the second half. A loss to the Central leading Cleveland Indians on Thursday will not detour the Orioles from putting together a solid effort on Friday. Baseball handicappers didn’t anticipate then Orioles doing anything note-worthy this season, but the reason is not because of lack of talent but rather the division they play in.

The American League East is now and has been then toughest in baseball. It’s hard enough to have to play the New York Yankees 17+ times per season, but adding the Boston Red Sox and the much improved Tampa Bay Rays to the equation makes it next to impossible for any other team in this division to succeed. At 36-53 you’d think that Baltimore was the worst team in the A.L., but they have a good group of hitters, and a pitching staff that isn’t as bad as their league worst 4.76 earned run average. Jake Arrieta will take the mound for the Orioles on Friday. Despite a sub-par 4.90 ERA, Arrieta has managed to go 9-6 in the first half, and has shown the ability to shut teams down at times. He had a phenomenal outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 10th I which he allowed just 2 hits and no earned runs over 7 innings. He has some control issues (48 walks in 97 innings), but has the “stuff” to get out of trouble when needed. He will need to be at his best against an Indians squad that has shocked MLB experts all season long.

Cleveland was expected to finish towards the bottom of their division when the season started, but they got out to a fast start. Baseball predictions had them finishing between 3rd and 4th in the Central this season. The Twins are plagued with injury issues, and Detroit and Chicago have yet to find their stride. Even after a ridiculous 30-15 start to te year experts were assuming that they’d eventually fall back to the pack, and finish well out of the playoff race. Surprisingly, the Indians have managed to steady themselves after a small slump in June, and are now back on top in the Central division.

Cleveland managed to get to Carlos Carrasco on Thursday, but the Orioles have not quit in them, and could make this an interesting series. Tune in Friday as these teams send their best pitchers in terms of record to the mound in what will be a highly contested game.

 

Related posts:

1. Braves take on Arrieta/ Baltimore in Interleague Battle
2. Marquis vs. Arrieta in Inter-League Pitcher’s Duel
3. Pirates host Indians in Inter-League Play
4. Surging Dodgers look for Sweep in Philadelphia
5. Indians vs. Rays in Battle of A.L. Powerhouses

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