Orioles (76-63) vs. Tigers (75-64)
Where: Comerica Park
First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN2/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (7-10, 3.58 ERA) vs. Tigers RHP Michael Fulmer (10-6, 2.77 ERA)
What to watch
1. Big weekend: The Orioles are visiting the Tigers, the Toronto Blue Jays are hosting the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. This could be a huge weekend for the Orioles, as they look to strengthen their playoff standing and perhaps climb back into first place in the American League East. The Orioles enter the series leading the Tigers by one game for the second wild card, trailing the Red Sox by two games for first place and trailing the Blue Jays by one game for the top wild card. Oh, and the Yankees have drawn to within two games of the second wild card. Someone between the Red Sox and Blue Jays will lose each day, so as long as the Orioles take care of their own business, they can leave the weekend in a more comfortable position.
2. Young guns: Tonight's series opener pits surging 25-year-old Kevin Gausman against outstanding rookie Michael Fulmer, 23. Gausman hasn't allowed a run in his past three starts, pitching 19 scoreless innings, and has a 2.73 ERA since the All-Star break. Fulmer has a 2.77 ERA on the season, and is perhaps the favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. But he has had some trouble lately, posting a 6.48 ERA over his past three starts.
3. Kim back in: Hyun Soo Kim starts for just the third time this month despite leading the team with a .310 average and .386 on-base percentage. He is batting just .167 over his past six games and .220 in his past 12, but that has come in a limited sample.
Orioles lineup
CF Adam Jones
2B Jonathan Schoop
3B Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
DH Pedro Alvarez
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Hyun Soo Kim