masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhat happens next with the Orioles rotation?

It’s one of the more fascinating story lines as the Orioles approach their 122nd game today while closing out the series in Cleveland.

The Orioles haven’t listed a starter for Wednesday night in Chicago. Manager Buck Showalter suggested during the last homestand that Miguel Gonzalez could start Tuesday, but that assignment goes to Chris Tillman.

Gonzalez could take the mound Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field. If he goes to the bullpen, how in…What happens next with the Orioles rotation?

It’s one of the more fascinating story lines as the Orioles approach their 122nd game today while closing out the series in Cleveland.

The Orioles haven’t listed a starter for Wednesday night in Chicago. Manager Buck Showalter suggested during the last homestand that Miguel Gonzalez could start Tuesday, but that assignment goes to Chris Tillman.

miguel-gonzalez-white-front-windup-sidebar.jpgGonzalez could take the mound Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field. If he goes to the bullpen, how in the world do the Orioles make room for him?

Showalter doesn’t seem to favor a six-man rotation or a six-man bullpen. He doesn’t want to shuffle starters between the rotation and ‘pen.

Showalter wants to provide extra rest for Wei-Yin Chen and Gonzalez, and he wants to keep Tillman on a normal schedule. He’s got an off-day Thursday in Chicago to further tweak the rotation, but the next one doesn’t come until Sept. 11. That’s 20 consecutive games.

Once rosters expand, Showalter can move a struggling starter to the bullpen without worrying about making room. The task becomes much simpler. But until then…

I’ve been asked about the playoff rotation, which wouldn’t require more than four starters. Tough to imagine Ubaldo Jimenez cracking that group unless he gets on a serious roll.

Tillman and Chen would be locks. I’d also expect Bud Norris to start.

Kevin Gausman or Gonzalez? Or would you include both and remove someone else?

Go with the hottest hand. There’s still plenty of games left to gauge the temperature.

Gausman will make his 13th start of the season today and his sixth on the road. In five games away from home, Gausman is 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA and three quality starts over 28 innings.

Gausman’s only appearance against the Indians came in relief on Sept. 4, 2013 in Cleveland, and he took the loss after allowing two runs and three hits in 2 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Gausman is 5-0 with a 2.39 ERA in six starts at night, and 1-4 with a 5.83 ERA in six starts during the day.

By making the start today, Gausman will be working on six days rest since facing the Cardinals at Camden Yards. He’s 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA in four starts this season on four days rest, 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts on five days, and 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA in six starts on six days or more.

To review, Gausman has struggled when pitching in day games and on six days or more of rest. But he’s been better on the road.

Caleb Joseph has caught 11 of Gausman’s 12 starts, but will he remain behind the plate following a night game?

Gausman has a 3.43 ERA with Joseph catching. He allowed five earned runs and six hits over four innings in the only game Nick Hundley caught.

None of the current Indians has more than two plate appearances against Gausman. Mike Aviles is 1-for-2 with a double.

Danny Salazar has never faced the Orioles and Delmon Young is the only player to bat against him, hitting a home run and walking in two plate appearances.

Right-handers are hitting .317 against Salazar this season, and left-handers are batting .245. He’s 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in five home starts and 2-4 with a 5.60 ERA in seven road starts.