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Baltimore Orioles

Orioles on deck: What to watch Sunday vs. Athletics

Baltimore Sun
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Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run agains

Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)

Orioles (17-12) vs. Oakland Athletics (14-17)

Where: Camden Yards

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First pitch: 1:35 p.m.

TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan

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Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (3-1, 2.81 ERA) vs. Athletics RHP Kendall Graveman (1-3, 4.40 ERA)

What to watch

1. On the verge. The Orioles scored one run in 27 innings before their first run in Saturday's doubleheader. But the dormant offense began to show signs of awakening. First it was a three-run ninth in Saturday's matinee and then a four-run third in the nightcap. After being more down than up in recent weeks, could the Orioles lineup be on the verge of a surge?

2. Tillman on top. Chris Tillman has been on quite a run, allowing one run in his past 18 2/3 innings (0.48 ERA), dating to the final five frames of his April 21 outing against the Toronto Blue Jays. He seems to be getting better with each start and has struck out 18 in 13 2/3 innings over his past two games. Can he replicate or build on a season-long seven-inning win over the New York Yankees?

3. Schoop on track. Jonathan Schoop extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 games (.306/.324/.444; 11-for-36) with hits in each half of Saturday's doubleheader. It marks the third hitting streak of his career of 10 or more games, and has elevated his batting average from .200 to .238. Will Schoop stay hot in the series finale?

Orioles lineup

LF Joey Rickard
SS Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
CF Adam Jones
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
DH Pedro Alvarez
2B Jonathan Schoop
3B Ryan Flaherty

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