Orioles (64-50) vs. Giants (65-49)
Where: AT&T Park
First pitch: 10:15 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN2/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Dylan Bundy (5-3, 3.05 ERA) vs. Giants RHP Matt Cain (4-6, 5.16 ERA)
What to watch
1. Seeking a spark: The Orioles and Giants come into this weekend with both contenders struggling since the All-Star break. The Orioles are 13-14 since the Midsummer Classic to fall out of first place in the American League East, and sit a half-game behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the top spot. The Giants led the National league West by 6 1/2 games going into the break, but are 8-16 since to see that lead shrink to one game over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two teams are 6-6 all-time against each other with the Orioles going 5-4 in San Francisco. They meet for the first time since 2013. Can either club spark a hot streak during a rare series between the two this weekend?
2. Bundy Day: This one is getting upgraded toward holiday status. Bundy is 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA since moving into the rotation, but has a 1.90 ERA over his past four outings. He has been a huge part of stabilizing the Orioles starting staff, which enters tonight with a streak of seven straight quality starts. Can Bundy pitch well again and make it eight in a row for the Orioles?
3. False start or real deal? The Orioles offense has had several false starts, looking like it might emerge from its slump since the All-Star break only to go back to struggling. The Orioles have scored at least four runs in at least two straight games only twice since the break, and are now coming off a win where they scored nine after scoring three total over the previous three contests. Could this one be the real deal or will the Birds go back to slumping by the bay?
Orioles lineup
Latest Orioles
CF Adam Jones
LF Hyun Soo Kim
3B Manny Machado
RF Mark Trumbo
1B Chris Davis
2B Jonathan Schoop
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
RHP Dylan Bundy
