Hanser Alberto on his hot bat, facing Glasnow tonight and more

Orioles infielder Hanser Alberto keeps getting chances to start and keeps hitting. Or maybe he is starting because he's hitting. Either way he takes a plus .300 average into tonight's game.

In 23 games and 79 plate appearances he is batting .329/.342/.382 with one double, one homer, 21 singles and seven RBIs. He doesn't quite have enough plate appearances for league leaders (he's 20 short) or his batting average would rank ninth in the AL.

Alberto has said a few times that getting regular at-bats will help any player better get into a groove at bat.

"When you get a chance to play consistently, your mind can work differently," he said this afternoon. "You can go 0-for-4 today but tomorrow your name may again be in the lineup. That gives you confidence. That is the big thing right now for me. Having fun, staying confident and getting a chance to play often. When you get to the big leagues, everyone wants to play every day. Plus I'm having fun with this group of guys here."

Alberto is 7-for-12 the last three games posting three straight multi-hit games for the first time in his career. He is batting .433 (13-for-30) during a career best eight-game hitting streak. He started the year hitting safely in seven consecutive games. Alberto is also batting .438 versus lefty pitching to rank second in the AL and third in the majors.

"Just been looking to get a good pitch to hit," he said of his approach on offense. "Looking for that pitch before two strikes. Just trying to get something I can handle and hit the ball where it is pitched. Many times, I don't swing at the first pitch but there are times to be aggressive."

Alberto has also already made starts at second base, third base and once in right field. He has even pitched an inning. So what about moving around on the infield?

"Third base has the longer throw but it's pretty much the same. You still have to make the play. Second base is a little easier and you have more time to make the play usually," he said.

Alberto said the Orioles are looking to put their collective defensive games from Wednesday behind them. They made five errors during the doubleheader against the White Sox in Chicago.

"That happens sometimes but we have to turn the page and keep working for the next game. I know we played badly in the doubleheader and now we turn the page, work hard and be ready for the next one. There is always another day, so we can't look back on what happened before," he said.

So looking ahead, tonight the O's challenge is facing Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow (5-0, 1.75 ERA). He leads the AL in ERA and is fifth in WHIP at 0.944. He beat the Orioles April 16, yielding one run in seven innings. Albert went 1-for-3 against Glasnow that night with a single.

"He throws hard with a good breaking ball too and he really commands well. He can really work the corners but we're ready for the challenge. We're ready," he said.