Orioles (40-30) vs. San Diego Padres (30-42)
Where: Camden Yards
First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-7, 7.34 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Erik Johnson (0-4, 7.66 ERA)
What to watch
1. Another chance. After Mike Wright's one-day demotion and subsequent return to the rotation (and subsequent second demotion), it's impossible to call this Ubaldo Jimenez's last chance to show he belongs in the rotation, simply because the Orioles lack alternatives. But it's an important start for Jimenez nonetheless. If he has a solid one that isn't too reminiscent of the brief, hole-digging outings that cost him his starting job in the first place, he could have another start in store. Will Jimenez take advantage of the opportunity and show that he might be effective out of the rotation?
2. Aboard the Alvarez train. Pedro Alvarez has had a terrific month, batting .340 with six homers, 13 RBIs and an 1.117 OPS after Tuesday's two-homer, five-RBI assault on the Padres. Alvarez has turned his season around after batting .194 entering June. Can he keep it going to force Buck Showalter to keep him in the lineup regularly?
3. Bullpen bounce-back. Allowing seven runs (five earned) in three innings is quite uncharacteristic for the usually stout Orioles bullpen. One night after letting the Padres come back for a victory, will the Birds relief corps be able to shut them down to help avoid a two-game sweep?
Orioles lineup
CF Adam Jones
LF Hyun Soo Kim
2B Jonathan Schoop
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
DH Pedro Alvarez
SS J.J. Hardy
3B Ryan Flaherty