Orioles (21-12) vs. Detroit Tigers (15-19)
Where: Camden Yards
First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (4-1, 3.05 ERA) vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (2-3, 5.40 ERA)
What to watch
1. Tillman-Verlander. The stats would forecast a mismatch on the mound tonight with Chris Tillman coming in hot (3-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his past four starts). But you never know when Justin Verlander will discover his consistency and get on track. The Tigers right-hander experienced a similarly woeful start to last season -- he had a 6.62 ERA through six starts in 2015 (and a 2.27 ERA the rest of the way) and had a 6.49 ERA through six starts this year (before pitching seven scoreless innings his last time out). Is Verlander on his way to a similar run to 2015 or will he be dented by the Birds?
2. Long ball return. The Orioles managed to come back to win without the help of the home run Thursday, marking just the 11th time in 33 games this season that they didn't hit a long ball. It's a good bet they'll change that tonight. Verlander enters the game allowing a career-worst 1.51 homers per nine innings, tied for 15th worst in the majors. Will the Orioles be able to take advantage?
3. Six pack. The Orioles opened the season with seven straight wins and have now won five in a row. With a victory, it will mark the first time since 2007 that they have two winning streaks of at least six games in the same season. Can the Birds stay on a roll?
Orioles lineup
LF Joey Rickard
SS Manny Machado
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
DH Pedro Alvarez
2B Jonathan Schoop
3B Ryan Flaherty