For his next trick, Austin Hays will bat leadoff against Chris Sale

With seven hits, including three extra-base hits his last four games, Orioles outfielder Austin Hays will put that hot streak to the test tonight against Boston left-hander Chris Sale (16-7, 2.84 ERA).

The rookie will be facing a pitcher that has finished in the top six of the American League Cy Young vote in the last five years. A pitcher that leads the league with 287 strikeouts over 201 1/3 innings. He needs 13 more strikeouts to become the first AL pitcher with 300 since Pedro Martinez for Boston in 1999.

Hays has been pretty calm throughout his rapid ascension from Single-A to Double to the majors this year and all the attention his great season has produced. And he was rather matter of fact and calm about tonight's challenge this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse.

"I know he has pretty good numbers. I guess I'll see how it goes once I get in the box and see his pitches," Hays said. "At the same time I've never faced him and I've never stood in the box when he is 60 feet, 6 inches away. I'm not sure what his stuff looks like from there but I'll find out tonight."

Hays is batting .304 in his first 10 major league games, going 7-for-23. I asked him if he has used the extensive scouting reports and video available to major league hitters to study opposing pitchers.

"I try to look at what pitches they have and what pitches they like to use in certain scenarios, but I try not to flood my brain with too much information and I like to keep it simple once I am in the box," he said.

Since going hitless in his first seven major league at-bats, Hays is 7-for-16 (.438) with two doubles, a homer and five RBIs. He has hit safely in the last four games - all of which he has started - and has doubles in his last two games. He is 3-for-5 versus lefty pitching with a double and a homer. That has raised his average for the year in combined minor and major league at-bats against left-handers to .417.

Tonight Hays is starting for the fifth consecutive game.

"Yeah, I was getting asked before what was it like to be here and what is your role with the team and things like that," he said. "I said I was just here to do anything they want me to do. If my name is in the lineup, or I get asked to pinch-run or play defense, whatever it might be.

"But it is definitely easier staying in the rhythm that I was in the whole season now that I've gotten a few starts back-to-back-to-back. I feel more like myself because I have my routine set. The feel of the game is there when you are playing every day."

Hays is expected to be named the Orioles' minor league Player of the Year later in this homestand. He was a finalist for Baseball America's national Player of the Year. Awards are nice, but in the last few days, he may have done something more important: He may have shown the O's brass that he could be the right fielder next season. He's certainly planted a seed.

"I hope so," Hays said. "I am just trying to play the game now the way I played it this whole season. And if they like what I can bring to the table then hopefully it will put me in a good position going forward."