The Baltimore Orioles were kings of the one-run game last year, but so far this year seem to be continuing their success despite what many experts thought. Led by Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Adam Jones, these Orioles can score runs and are only 3.5 games back of the American League East lead.
Probable Pitchers
Monday, 1:05 p.m.
WSH: Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 3.66 ERA)
BAL: Jason Hammel (6-2, 5.37 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.
WSH: TBA [Probably Zach Duke or Craig Stammen]
BAL: Kevin Gausman (0-1, 7.20 ERA)
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. (in Baltimore)
WSH: Jordan Zimmermann (8-2, 1.71 ERA)
BAL: Chris Tillman (4-2, 3.68 ERA)
Thursday, 7:05 p.m. (in Baltimore)
WSH: Dan Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA)
BAL: Freddy Garcia (1-2, 4.61 ERA)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Projected Orioles Lineup (via MLB Depth Charts)
LF Nate McLouth vs RHP
3B Manny Machado
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
DH Chris Dickerson vs RHP
2B Yamaico Navarro
BENCH
C Chris Snyder
1B/OF Steve Pearce starts vs LHP
IF Alexi Casilla
IF/OF Danny Valencia starts vs LHP
BULLPEN
RHP Jim Johnson
RHP Darren O'Day
LHP Brian Matusz
RHP Tommy Hunter
LHP Troy Patton
LHP T.J. McFarland
RHP Steve Johnson
HITTER TO WATCH
Chris Davis
Everyone was waiting for Chris Davis to slow down after his incredible start to the season. Well, in his last 7 days he has been just as hot. He is 12/25 (.480/.581/1.080) with three doubles, four homeruns and six RBI. He also walked six times. On the season, he is hitting .337/.432/.721 with 16 HR and 48 RBI.
PITCHER TO WATCH
Jim Johnson
Johnson had an incredible season last year, saving 51/54 saves. This year, he already has four blown saves and an ERA of 5.25 as well as five losses on the year. Has he been pitching worse? Not really.
He is stung with a .329 BABIP this year as opposed to .251 last year. That's the difference between good luck and bad luck. His WHIP is only .35 higher. The biggest and most concerning difference is that he is allowing 13 per cent more ground balls and seven per cent more of those fly balls are leaving the yard. That right there is the difference between a closer shutting the door and struggling. The true Johnson is probably right in between his 2012 and 2013 season to date.