masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCHICAGO – Chris Davis is starting at third base and batting seventh for the second straight game as the Orioles open a three-game series at the White Sox.

Davis went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI yesterday, so the Orioles decided not to mess with a good thing. Steve Pearce is at first, Nelson Cruz is in left and Delmon Young is serving as the designated hitter.

Jonathan Schoop is starting at second for the eighth straight game. He has three homers and five RBIs in his last five…CHICAGO – Chris Davis is starting at third base and batting seventh for the second straight game as the Orioles open a three-game series at the White Sox.

Davis went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI yesterday, so the Orioles decided not to mess with a good thing. Steve Pearce is at first, Nelson Cruz is in left and Delmon Young is serving as the designated hitter.

davis-jones-handshake-white-sidebar.jpgJonathan Schoop is starting at second for the eighth straight game. He has three homers and five RBIs in his last five games.

Caleb Joseph is behind the plate for right-hander Bud Norris, who has a 3.55 ERA in 10 starts throwing to the rookie backstop.

Nick Markakis has hit in nine straight games, going 14-for-36 (.389) with three doubles, six walks and six runs scored since Aug. 7. Markakis is batting .400/.486/.567 this month, hitting safely in 14 of 15 games.

The Orioles have won eight of their last nine series openers since July 21. Overall, they’re 25-16 in series openers, going 13-7 at home and 12-9 on the road.

The Orioles’ 36 road wins lead the American League and are tied with the Brewers for the second-most in the majors behind the Dodgers (40).

Since June 30, the Orioles have posted the best record in baseball at 28-13 (.683) and lead the AL East by seven games.

For the Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Steve Pearce 1B
Adam Jones CF
Nelson Cruz LF
Delmon Young DH
J.J. Hardy SS
Chris Davis 3B
Caleb Joseph C
Jonathan Schoop 2B

Bud Norris RHP

For the White Sox
Alejandro De Aza LF
Alexei Ramirez SS
Jose Abreu 1B
Adam Dunn DH
Avisail Garcia RF
Conor Gillaspie 3B
Tyler Flowers C
Jordan Danks CF
Gordon Beckham 2B

Chris Sale LHP

The Orioles own three of the top 20 in ERA among AL relievers: Darren O’Day (second, 0.96), Zach Britton (11th, 2.08) and Andrew Miller (17th, 2.17).