O's game blog: Orioles begin a weekend series against Angels

After they lost two of three to Boston - falling 2-1 in 12 innings on Wednesday night - the Orioles' homestand continues tonight. They begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels that continues at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday and 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.

This is the Orioles' (13-24) second series of 2019 versus an American League West team. They went 1-3 at Camden Yards against Oakland. The O's are 9-12 versus the AL East and 3-9 against the AL Central. They went 1-5 against the Angels last year and are 2-9 in the last 11 games between the teams. Mike Trout hit his first career home run on July 24, 2011 at Camden Yards off former Oriole Mark Worrell.

The Angels blanked Detroit 13-0 yesterday at Comerica Park. Los Angeles is 8-4 since going through a stretch of nine losses in 10 games. The Angels took two of three at Detroit to start a three-city, nine-game trip that heads to Minnesota after this weekend here.

The Angels are 5-14 versus AL West clubs, but 12-6 against all other teams. They are 6-18 in 24 road games dating to last September.

Yesterday, Albert Pujols homered to record the 2,000th RBI of his career. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Pujols is just the third player all-time to reach the milestone (since RBIs became a stat in 1920), joining Hank Aaron (2,297) and Alex Rodriguez (2,086).

Through 35 games this season, the Angels boast the majors' best plate appearance per strikeout rate at 6.51 (Houston is second at 5.21). David Fletcher is leading all major leaguers this season with a 23.40 PA/K with 122 plate appearances and just five strikeouts.

On the mound tonight, right-hander Dan Straily (1-2, 7.43 ERA) gets the start for Baltimore. Straily gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings in his last start against Tampa Bay. He has thrown five innings or less in all five of his starts and 4 1/3 or fewer innings three times.

While he is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.00 in two road games, Straily is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in four home games. In 14 innings at Camden Yards, he has allowed 28 hits, including eight homers. Opponents are hitting .412 with an OPS of 1.365 against him at Oriole Park. Straily's 5.14 homers/nine innings at home this year is the worst mark in the majors.

Straily will be making his 10th career start against Los Angeles. His last came on May 26, 2017 when he earned the win after throwing 5 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits. He is 2-4 against the Angels and owns a 7.49 career ERA over 45 2/3 with the team averaging .333 against him'

The Angels will start righty Trevor Cahill (1-3, 6.95 ERA), who is making his eighth start. He has a WHIP of 1.455 and has yielded 9.9 hits and 3.2 homers per nine innings. He's given up 12 homers in 33 2/3 innings and that is a much worse homer rate than the 0.7 from he had in 2018 with Oakland.

In Cahill's first three starts, he produced a 3.50 ERA. In his last four he is 0-2 with an ERA of 10.91 and nine homers allowed in 15 2/3 innings. But in five career starts against Baltimore, he is 3-1 and his ERA of 1.97 is his lowest against any opponent.

The Orioles have allowed only eight stolen bases in their first 37 games, the fewest allowed in the AL and the second-fewest in the majors. They have caught 12 attempted base stealers, and their 60 percent caught stealing percentage is the best in the majors. The O's 39 double plays turned this season are tied for most in the AL and tied for second in the majors.

Knight is movin' on up: Right-hander Blaine Knight was promoted today from Single-A Delmarva to Single-A Frederick. He's starting at home for the Keys tonight against Fayettville. He was the Orioles' third-round pick last June out of the University of Arkansas.

In five starts for the Shorebirds, he went 3-0 with an ERA of 0.68 and WHIP of 0.56. Over 26 2/3 innings, Knight walked four and fanned 33. He ends his time with Delmarva with 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

Opponents beware.....Blaine Knight is making his CL debut tonight!!

⚾️W/@shorebirds went 3-0 w/0.68 ERA in 5 starts
⚾️At time of call-up, led the South Atlantic Lg in ERA (0.68), BAA (.125) and WHIP (0.56)
⚾️@Orioles 3rd rd pick in 2018 from @RazorbackBSB

Catch the 🔥at 7pm!! pic.twitter.com/wAqFkx7CV0

-- Frederick Keys (@FrederickKeys) May 10, 2019