masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles had to cut short their batting practice session because of the rain. The tarp is going on the field.

The weather won’t make it easy for the Orioles to hold their Hall of Fame ceremonies. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. Bring a towel.

Third baseman Mark Reynolds isn’t in the starting lineup, but it’s not because he’s nursing an injury.

His pride might be bruised from a 1-for-21 slump, but that’s it.

Reynolds has played in 115 of 116 games, so he was due…The Orioles had to cut short their batting practice session because of the rain. The tarp is going on the field.

The weather won’t make it easy for the Orioles to hold their Hall of Fame ceremonies. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. Bring a towel.

Third baseman Mark Reynolds isn’t in the starting lineup, but it’s not because he’s nursing an injury.

His pride might be bruised from a 1-for-21 slump, but that’s it.

Reynolds has played in 115 of 116 games, so he was due for a break. And manager Buck Showalter examined the splits on Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer and figured tonight was the proper time for it.

Left-handed batters are hitting .305 against Scherzer this season, while right-handers are hitting .236. And that’s not unusual, considering that left-handers are batting .271 against Scherzer in his career, compared to the .234 average posted by right-handers.

From that standpoint, it makes sense to give the switch-hitting Josh Bell the start at third base, and to put Felix Pie atop the order.

Pie is 3-for-6 with a double, triple and RBI lifetime against Scherzer. Bell is 2-for-6.

Yes, small sample sizes.

Some right-handers can hold their own against Scherzer. Adam Jones is 4-for-6 with two doubles. Vladimir Guerrero is 2-for-6 with a double, homer and two RBIs. J.J. Hardy has a single, double and home run in 12 at-bats.