masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIf I have to provide a list of my biggest Orioles surprises in 2014, it would include Delmon Young hitting .354 in 96 at-bats against right-handers.

Did you really see it coming? Be honest.

Young is a career .301 hitter against left-handers and a .276 hitter vs. right-handers, including his production this season. If he had any shot at contributing in 2014 after signing a minor league deal in January, it figured to be in a platoon role against southpaws or coming off the bench against them….If I have to provide a list of my biggest Orioles surprises in 2014, it would include Delmon Young hitting .354 in 96 at-bats against right-handers.

Did you really see it coming? Be honest.

Young is a career .301 hitter against left-handers and a .276 hitter vs. right-handers, including his production this season. If he had any shot at contributing in 2014 after signing a minor league deal in January, it figured to be in a platoon role against southpaws or coming off the bench against them.

young-machado-happy-sidebar-gray.jpgHe’s been proficient as a pinch-hitter, but he’s also shredding the platoon label.

I honestly questioned whether Young would make it to the All-Star break with Nelson Cruz and Steve Pearce on the roster and Nolan Reimold working his way back from the disabled list. Reimold is in Toronto – he had a walk-off double yesterday – and Young is peacefully co-existing with Cruz and Pearce.

In fact, Young is getting the bulk of the at-bats over Pearce, who has one start since July 31.

Young has two of the Orioles’ five career hits off Cardinals starter Lance Lynn, and he’s driven in two runs. Cruz is 1-for-3 with a home run.

Lynn posted a 1.71 ERA in five July starts. In his only start this month, he allowed one earned run (two total) and four hits over seven innings.

Lynn has faced the Orioles once in his career, allowing one hit and striking out five in two innings at Camden Yards.

Kevin Gausman hasn’t faced the Cardinals. He’s 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two career interleague starts, both against the Nationals. However, he held them to one earned run in six innings on Aug. 4.

Plenty of fans were upset that the Orioles optioned Miguel Gonzalez yesterday, but there had to be some relief that Gausman stayed in the majors. He’s no longer permitted on that shuttle.

Jhonny Peralta is 1-for-2 against Gausman. That’s it for the Cardinals.