Chris Jordan has 3 Plays
Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan Wednesday's trifecta ...
200♦ BALTIMORE ORIOLES (LIST Tillman) - How many Baltimore pitchers will make their Major League debuts this season? I’ll be there every time, I can tell you that much, and tonight I’m banking on right-handed Chris Tillman. Six of the 16 players to make their first appearance with the Orioles this season also made their Major League debuts. Tillman joins pitchers Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, Koji Uehara and David Hernandez on the list of Baltimore's rookie pitchers.
The 21-year-old has gone 8-6 with a 2.70 ERA for Triple-A Norfolk and has recorded an impressive 99 strikeouts over 96-2/3 innings. Tillman, who was acquired from the Mariners in the Erik Bedard deal, has allowed four runs or more just twice and has lasted at least six innings in seven of his past eight starts.
I’ve told you plenty of times why we make this choice, to take a pitcher making his debut in the bigs, as there is no clear-cut scouting report. That’s the case once again, especially against a Royals offense that has been horrendous throughout this season. Take the home team here.
200♦ TEXAS RANGERS (Action) - Not listing anyone here, just going to continue to ride the Rangers, who are playing well and should be able to keep the momentum flowing against the jungle stripes and Justin Verlander. I know Detroit’s prize pitcher is going for his 12th win of the season, but the Tigers haven’t looked like a division-leading team lately. Detroit has dropped three in a row, scoring just six runs, and come in after losing 7-3 to the Rangers last night. The loss dropped the Tigers to 4-8 since the All-Star break.
On the flip side, the Rangers have scored 19 runs in their last three games and could send Verlander to the showers early with this offense surge. Texas has been a team you can count on to erupt for a handful of games when it gets hot, and now is the time to strike.
Yes, the Tigers have won both of Verlander’s starts against the Rangers this season, as he is 1-0 in those outings with a 1.64 ERA over 11 innings pitched. And yes, he is 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in his last five starts versus Texas. But that’s a sign it’s time for Texas to make good on the scouting report and should get to Verlander with ease based on the way it’s hitting. Take the Rangers.
200♦ MINNESOTA TWINS (Action) - Three straight wins, the Twins make it four in a row with a surge of momentum after knocking off Mark Buehrle and the White Sox last night. The victory was the 16th in 20 games at the Metrodome for the Twins against the South Siders, as Chicago has given up 35 runs on the road to Minnesota this season. With last night’s win, the Twins pulled into a second-place tie with Chicago in the American League Central, two games behind first-place Tigers. The White Sox have lost five of six after entering last weekend tied for first place with Detroit – actually, since the perfect game Buehrle throw – and this is bad spot to be in during a downturn.
Minnesota has always been a team that wins in the second half and factors into the division race. I’m not listing either pitcher, I’m going off of pure momentum, and the fact is the Twins have a great shot at making a nice little run to the top of the division. The Angels are coming to town, and there will be plenty of revenge on the brain after a 1-3 stint in Anaheim over the weekend. Then it’s off to Cleveland and Motown for a six-game road trip.
This is a game the Twins need, and should get tonight.
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