masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles and Tigers enter tonight’s series opener at Comerica Park with identical 44-44 records, both clubs in third place in their respective divisions.
The Tigers continue to lead the majors with a .281 average and .337 on-base percentage and rank third with a .434 slugging percentage, but Miguel Cabrera’s absence should be felt in this series.
J.D. Martinez has picked up the slack with his 25 home runs, but Cabrera owns the Orioles. He’s a career .391/.467/.726 hitter with 18 home runs…

The Orioles and Tigers enter tonight’s series opener at Comerica Park with identical 44-44 records, both clubs in third place in their respective divisions.

The Tigers continue to lead the majors with a .281 average and .337 on-base percentage and rank third with a .434 slugging percentage, but Miguel Cabrera’s absence should be felt in this series.

J.D. Martinez has picked up the slack with his 25 home runs, but Cabrera owns the Orioles. He’s a career .391/.467/.726 hitter with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs in 51 games against them.

Cabrera went on the disabled list for the first time in his 13-year career on July 4 with a strained left calf muscle. Early projections had him missing six weeks.

The Orioles won’t miss him.

jimenez-stride-pitching-gray-sidebar.jpgCabrera is 15-for-43 (.349) lifetime against tonight’s starter, Ubaldo Jimenez, including four doubles and a home run. He’s 5-for-15 with a double and home run against Saturday starter Chris Tillman and 3-for-9 with a home run against Sunday starter Miguel Gonzalez.

The relievers also are breathing a collective sigh of relief, so to speak.

Cabrera is 4-for-6 with three walks against closer Zach Britton, 3-for-6 with a double and home run against Brian Matusz, 3-for-8 with a home run against Darren O’Day and 4-for-10 with a double and two home runs against Tommy Hunter.

Bud Norris has enjoyed the most success against Cabrera, holding him to a .200 average (3-for-15) with two doubles and four strikeouts. Cabrera has never faced Brad Brach or Chaz Roe.

The Tigers’ pitching staff has allowed 98 home runs, most in the American League and fourth in the majors. The Orioles have hit 110, which ranks fifth in the majors.