masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgLHP Brian Matusz (2-2, 6.46) today will make his 6th start of the Major League season, his 2nd at home and the 1st of his career vs. Cleveland.

Matusz, whose longest outing so far is 5 2/3 innings, has posted wins over Detroit and Tampa.

In his only previous home start, he allowed 11 hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings August 15th vs. Los Angeles. The Orioles are 2-3 when he starts.

Right-handed batters are batting .402 with four homers off Matusz while lefties are hitting just .176. …LHP Brian Matusz (2-2, 6.46) today will make his 6th start of the Major League season, his 2nd at home and the 1st of his career vs. Cleveland.

Matusz, whose longest outing so far is 5 2/3 innings, has posted wins over Detroit and Tampa.

In his only previous home start, he allowed 11 hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings August 15th vs. Los Angeles. The Orioles are 2-3 when he starts.

Right-handed batters are batting .402 with four homers off Matusz while lefties are hitting just .176. Opponents bat .233 off Matusz when hitting with runners in scoring position.

Matusz has been strong early in his starts, giving up just four runs in the first two innings of his starts.

RHP Justin Masterson (4-5, 4.47) today will make his 11th start of the year, his 7th on the road and the 2nd of his career vs. the Orioles.

Masterson was traded by Boston to Cleveland on July 31st in the deal that sent Victor Martinez to the Red Sox.

In five games, four starts with the Indians only, he is 1-2, 4.37. Two starts ago, he gave up one run over 6 1/3 vs. the Angels and in his last start, he allowed four runs over six innings vs. KC.

Right-handed batters hit .206 off him while lefties bat .324 vs. Masterson, a second-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2006 out of San Diego State.

This season in 18 games, six starts on the road, he is 0-3, 5.33.

Masterson vs. Baltimore:
2009: 1-0, 5.79, three games, one start
Career: 2-0, 4.05, five games, one start (13 1/3IP, 10H, 6R-ER).