Gallardo vs. Happ today in Toronto

A loss today and the Orioles will relinquish their hold on first place in the American League East.

Vance Worley gave up two runs in seven innings in his last start. He threw four scoreless innings in relief last night, allowing only one hit and lowering his ERA to 2.89.

Do you start him or keep him in the bullpen? Maybe a little of both.

The Orioles continue their search for starting pitching while arguments are made that they may as well bolster the bullpen or lineup and stick with the current group.

Yovani Gallardo, Dylan Bundy and Darren O'Day are viewed as midseason additions despite already being in the organization.

The Orioles are getting the healthy version of Gallardo, who was absent in spring training and the first 2 1/2 months of the season. They're getting the starting version of Bundy after promoting him from the bullpen. They're getting O'Day after a seven-week absence due to a hamstring injury, upgrading the bullpen simply by reinserting him into it.

The latest name attached to the Orioles is Rays pitcher Erasmo Ramirez, according to ESPN.com. They prefer left-hander Matt Moore, but let's be realistic.

Ramirez has made one start among his 40 appearances this season and is 7-8 with a 3.90 ERA. He started 27 games last season and easily could slot into the Orioles rotation.

Experience pitching in the American League East always brings a certain appeal. So does a pitcher who can't become a free agent until 2020.

Ramirez is 2-3 with a 3.65 ERA and 0.831 WHIP in 12 games (six starts) against the Orioles spanning 49 1/3 innings. He's walked one batter and struck out 35.

A report in Today's Knuckleball said the Orioles would have needed to surrender Kevin Gausman to get Drew Pomeranz from the Padres. As I've said, executives will listen on anyone, but they also reserve the right to hang up.

Gausman continues to search for consistency. How does the same guy who shut out the Indians over seven innings in his previous start surrender three home runs in the first inning last night and leave after the third with the Blue Jays ahead 6-3?

Gallardo is 0-1 with four no-decisions this month. He's totaled 13 2/3 innings in his last two starts, allowing six runs and 10 hits. He's thrown 108 pitches in two of his last three starts, the restrictions lifted from him.

Gallardo faced the Blue Jays on June 18 and allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, with four walks and five strikeouts. He's 4-0 with a 1.78 ERA in four career starts, with five runs allowed over 25 1/3 innings.

In his only start at Rogers Centre, Gallardo shut out the Blue Jays on three hits over 8 1/3 innings on June 27, 2015.

The Orioles made note of Gallardo's success against the Jays while attempting to sign him.

Troy Tulowitzski is 11-for-31 with four doubles and a home run against Gallardo. Edwin Encarnacion is 7-for-19 with three home runs. Jose Bautista is 1-for-14 and Darwin Barney is 3-for-25.

I ridiculed the Jays for giving left-hander J.A. Happ $36 million over three years. He's 13-3 with a 3.27 ERA this season.

Who's laughing now?

Happ is 3-0 this month and has allowed four runs in 24 1/3 innings. He's walked six, struck out 31 and surrendered only one home run.

Happ faced the Orioles on June 11 and allowed four runs and eight hits in seven innings. He's 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) against them.

J.J. Hardy is 3-for-18 with three doubles against Happ, Manny Machado is 5-for-17 with a double, triple, home run and seven strikeouts, Chris Davis is 3-for-9 with two doubles and a home run, and Pedro Alvarez is 3-for-7 with a double.

Happ is 8-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 10 home starts. Left-handers are batting .250 against him and right-handers are hitting .234.

Alvarez normally sits against left-handers. We'll find out whether manager Buck Showalter makes an exception tonight.