masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles won 46 road games last season, the most in the majors, 16 more than their total in 2011 and their most since 1997 (52).

The Orioles picked up their 10th road win last night, tied with the Cardinals for most in the majors. Their road win percentage of .588 is second in the American League behind the Red Sox (9-3, .750). The Orioles, who have played the most road games with 17, are 8-3 when scoring first away from home.

It all starts with starting pitching, right? The Orioles are…The Orioles won 46 road games last season, the most in the majors, 16 more than their total in 2011 and their most since 1997 (52).

The Orioles picked up their 10th road win last night, tied with the Cardinals for most in the majors. Their road win percentage of .588 is second in the American League behind the Red Sox (9-3, .750). The Orioles, who have played the most road games with 17, are 8-3 when scoring first away from home.

It all starts with starting pitching, right? The Orioles are 11-5 this season when their starters go six innings or more – 4-1 at home, 7-4 on the road – and 2-0 when they go seven innings or more.

Does the day of the week matter? Well, the Orioles are a combined 15-2 on Tuesday (4-0), Thursday (5-0), Friday (2-1) and Saturday (4-1), but only 2-10 on Monday (1-2), Wednesday (1-4) and Sunday (0-4).

Today is Friday. Bet the ranch.

OK, maybe not at 2-1. Small sample size.

Manny Machado’s 11-game hitting streak is on the line. He’s batting .426 (20-for-47) with seven doubles, a triple, a home run, seven RBIs and eight runs during the streak, including seven multi-hit games.

Machado has 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats and ranks among the American League leaders in doubles (second with 12), extra-base hits (tied for third with 16) and hits (tied for third with 39).

Nate McLouth has reached base in 26 of his last 50 plate appearances and has three home runs in his last five games after not homering in his first 20.

In eight games on this West Coast trip, McLouth, Machado, Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Chris Davis are a combined 53-for-153 (.346) with seven homers, 31 RBIs and 32 runs scored.

Over the last 14 games since April 18, the Orioles are batting a major league-best .341 (43-for-126) with runners in scoring position to raise the team season average from .224 to .288.

Freddy Garcia, who starts Saturday, is 16-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 28 career starts against the Angels, his second-most wins against any opponent. He has 18 versus the Tigers. Garcia is 8-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 16 career starts at Angel Stadium.

For the Angels
Erick Aybar SS
Mike Trout CF
Albert Pujols 1B
Mark Trumbo RF
Josh Hamilton DH
Howie Kendrick 2B
Alberto Callaspo 3B
Chris Iannetta C
J.B. Shuck LF

Jason Vargas LHP