After a good start to the unofficial second-half of the season last night in an 8-4 Cleveland win, the Indians will shoot for two straight in this series and five in a row overall over Baltimore when they take on the Orioles at 7:05 this evening at Camden Yards.
Josh Tomlin gets the nod for the Tribe. Tomlin (10-4, 3.81 ERA) was the winning pitcher in an 8-3 win over the Orioles on April 16 when he went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, with no walks and four Ks.
Tomlin is 1-1 in his career vs. Baltimore in two appearances covering 11 innings with a 3.27 ERA, and has not lost since June 12, although the Tribe did lose in his last start, when the Toronto Blue Jays prevailed 5-4 last Saturday.
Baltimore will send Jake Arrieta to oppose Tomlin. Arrieta (9-6, 4.90 ERA) is 1-0 in his career against Cleveland in one appearance, although he did give up five runs in six innings vs. the Tribe.
Arrieta has lost his last two starts, giving up nine earned runs in only 9.1 frames in losses to the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox.
This series will continue on Saturday night when Carlos Carrasco will try to get back on track for the Indians.
Justin Verlander gets the start for the Detroit Tigers tonight against the Chicago White Sox, so it is probably safe to say that the Tribe will need to get this win over Baltimore to retain their virtual tie for first place in the AL Central.