masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBragging rights for TCU and Texas Tech are on the line tonight when the Orioles’ Jake Arrieta takes the mound against the Indians’ Josh Tomlin.

OK, there’s a lot more at stake than college pride.

Arrieta has made two starts since being skipped in the rotation because of an inflamed right elbow. He’s allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings, with six walks and six strikeouts.

Arrieta’s ERA has risen to 4.90. The league average for starters is 3.85. And his WHIP…Bragging rights for TCU and Texas Tech are on the line tonight when the Orioles’ Jake Arrieta takes the mound against the Indians’ Josh Tomlin.

OK, there’s a lot more at stake than college pride.

Arrieta has made two starts since being skipped in the rotation because of an inflamed right elbow. He’s allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings, with six walks and six strikeouts.

Arrieta’s ERA has risen to 4.90. The league average for starters is 3.85. And his WHIP is 1.40.

In his only career start against the Indians, Arrieta allowed five earned runs and six hits in six innings.

He’s due for a good start. The Orioles are starving for one.

The only way for Arrieta to quiet concerns about his elbow is to produce better results. That bone spur will be forgotten.

Tomlin is 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 14 walks and 65 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings. He held the Orioles to two runs over six innings in an 8-3 win April 16 in Cleveland.

Three Orioles have homered off Tomlin in his two career starts against them – Jake Fox, Brian Roberts and Luke Scott. You won’t find any of them in tonight’s lineup.

NOTE: Arrieta is 5-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five starts against the AL Central this year. He’s 6-2 with a 4.12 ERA in 10 career starts against the division.

The Orioles haven’t posted their lineup. They’re waiting to determine Vladimir Guerrero’s availability tonight after he underwent X-rays on his right hand yesterday.