masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWith the Blue Jays and Yankees winning today, the Orioles need to defeat the Athletics tonight to maintain their four-game lead in the American League East.

No pressure.

According to STATS, the Orioles have been tied or led after seven innings in 10 of 11 games against the Athletics dating back to 2013, but are only 6-5.

Manny Machado has reached base safely in a career-high 17 consecutive games since June 22, batting .415/.457/.754. In his last 37 games since May 31, he’s batting…With the Blue Jays and Yankees winning today, the Orioles need to defeat the Athletics tonight to maintain their four-game lead in the American League East.

No pressure.

According to STATS, the Orioles have been tied or led after seven innings in 10 of 11 games against the Athletics dating back to 2013, but are only 6-5.

Manny Machado has reached base safely in a career-high 17 consecutive games since June 22, batting .415/.457/.754. In his last 37 games since May 31, he’s batting .322/.366/.552 to raise his season average from .210 to .274.

Machado and Jonathan Schoop hit go-ahead two-run homers last night, raising the Orioles’ season total to 43, which ranks second in the majors behind the White Sox (48). The Royals (19) have hit the fewest.

After allowing just one home run in April, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has surrendered six in May, eight in June, and two in July. Ten of the 17 home runs allowed by Chen have been to the leadoff hitter in an inning.

The Athletics lead the majors in wins in their last at-bat (17), wins when trailing after seven innings (10) and wins when trailing after eight innings (five), and are tied for third in walk-off wins (seven).

The A’s are 17-10 (.630) against the AL East, the best mark by any team in the league.

Nick Hundley is catching tonight because he’s 7-for-14 three doubles and a home run lifetime against A’s starter Jason Hammel.

For the Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Steve Pearce LF
Adam Jones CF
Nelson Cruz DH
Chris Davis 1B
J.J. Hardy SS
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Hundley C
Jonathan Schoop 2B

Wei-Yin Chen LHP

For the Athletics
Coco Crisp DH
Craig Gentry CF
Yoenis Cespedes LF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Derek Norris C
Jed Lowrie SS
Brandon Moss RF
Nate Freiman 1B
Nick Punto 2B

Jason Hammel RHP

Here are the pitching matchups for the series in Anaheim:

Monday – Bud Norris (7-6, 3.96 ERA) vs. Matt Shoemaker (7-2, 4.38 ERA)
Tuesday – Miguel Gonzalez (4-5, 4.04 ERA) vs. Hector Santiago (1-7, 4.50 ERA)
Wednesday – Chris Tillman (7-5, 4.03 ERA) vs. Jered Weaver (10-6, 3.43 ERA)