Orioles entering big series in Bronx

If the Orioles are going to chip away at the Yankees' division lead, this is the week to do it.

And by "chipping," I mean taking chunks out of it.

The Orioles trail the Yankees by four games as they venture into the Bronx. They won two of three games in April at Camden Yards, lost three of four in May at Yankee Stadium and won two of three again in June at Camden Yards.

The Yankees are 27-17 at home this season and the Orioles are 19-27 on the road, though they won two straight in Detroit before yesterday's off-day.

The Yankees have hit 120 home runs, tied with the Blue Jays for second in the majors, and the Orioles are fifth with 113. The Orioles' 39 errors are the fewest in the American League and second-fewest in the majors. The Yankees have committed 64 errors, the sixth-highest total in the majors before yesterday.

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen remains a prime example of why you don't judge a pitcher on his won-loss record. He's 4-5 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 starts and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive outings.

Chen has worked eight innings in three of his last five starts. In three July starts, he's allowed seven runs (six earned) and 16 hits over 23 innings, with four walks and 14 strikeouts.

Chen is 3-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 career starts against the Yankees and 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in six starts at Yankee Stadium. He's faced them twice this season, surrendering two runs and four hits over six innings on April 13 at Camden Yards, and one run and five hits over seven innings on May 9 in the Bronx.

Jacoby Ellsbury is 7-for-19 with a double against Chen, and Stephen Drew is 4-for-13 with two doubles. Alex Rodriguez is 3-for-16 with a home run and five strikeouts, and Mark Teixeira is 3-for-14.

Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is 9-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 18 starts this season. He hasn't completed six innings in three starts this month.

Eovaldi has totaled 10 2/3 innings in two starts against the Orioles this season, allowing five runs and 14 hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts.

If you're crafting a lineup today, keep in mind that left-handers are batting .350 against Eovaldi this season. Right-handers are hitting .272.

Matt Wieters figures to catch tonight following yesterday's off-day, but Caleb Joseph is 4-for-5 with a double and home run against Eovaldi. Should Wieters serve as the designated hitter?

Manny Machado and Jimmy Paredes are 1-for-3 with a home run against Eovaldi, and Travis Snider is 2-for-5 with a double. Chris Davis is 1-for-6 with five strikeouts.

In case you missed it, Nick Markakis hit his first home run last night for the Braves and Jim Johnson earned his seventh save. I don't have anything to add except it happened.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk first baseman Christian Walker homered and drove in three runs last night in a 7-3 win over Pawtucket. Walker is 6-for-18 with three home runs and eight RBIs in his last four games.

Infielder Rey Navarro is 20-for-58 with three home runs, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored in his last 13 games.

Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia hasn't allowed a run in six innings over four appearances during his injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. He's permitted three hits, walked five and struck out seven.