Gausman gets the ball in series finale

BOSTON - The Orioles have gotten so good at sleeping fast, they probably can do it standing up. And yes, with their eyes closed.

I've been asked multiple times whether Kevin Gausman, today's starter in the series finale against the Red Sox, is finally here to stay.

Too many variables.

Let's see how Gausman pitches today. Let's see how the Orioles could create a spot for him. Let's see whether manager Buck Showalter would go with the dreaded six-man rotation.

Gausman allowed two runs in three starts covering 19 innings before his routine was altered. Some folks might say disrupted.

Down to Triple-A Norfolk, over to Double-A Bowie, back up to Baltimore, down to short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

Gausman isn't back to normal, considering that he's working on short rest after throwing two innings Wednesday with the IronBirds, but he's set to make his fifth career appearance against the Red Sox.

Gausman is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA versus the Red Sox, with two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings. He had two scoreless appearances at Fenway Park on Sept. 17 and 18, striking out five in three perfect innings.

He's heard "Sweet Caroline" a few times. He's fine with it.

The current group of Red Sox hitters are a collective 3-for-17 with seven strikeouts against Gausman. David Ortiz is 1-for-3 with a home run.

Adam Jones is 7-for-12 (.583) with a double and home run against Red Sox starter Jake Peavy. Nick Markakis is 5-for-14 (.357) with a home run, Nelson Cruz is 4-for-13 (.308) with two doubles and a home run, and Ryan Flaherty is 3-for-6 (.500) with a double and home run.

I wonder if Cruz is OK with John Lackey's post-Game 2 comments last night?

Delmon Young is 3-for-13 (.231) with a double, home run and five strikeouts versus Peavy.

J.J. Hardy is 2-for-22 (.091) with six strikeouts. Would Showalter sit Hardy today and give Flaherty the start at shortstop?

Chris Davis is 1-for-10 (.100) against Peavy. He went 0-for-8 with a walk and six strikeouts in yesterday's doubleheader to lower his average to .201.

Would Showalter consider lowering Davis in the lineup? Davis batted fifth in both games yesterday.

Jones is batting .469 (15-for-32) with three doubles, two homers, six RBIs and four runs scored during a nine-game hitting streak. He's recorded a hit in 13 of his last 15 games against the Red Sox, posting a .356 average with 21 hits in 59 at-bats.

Manny Machado has 12 hits in his last 35 at-bats (.343).

Reliever Brad Brach has three wins in his last six appearances. He had three major league wins over 109 games with the Padres.