Gausman vs. Fulmer tonight in Detroit

There's something different about September baseball, and it's more than the expanded roster.

The Orioles aren't approaching a must-win series in Detroit, but it most definitely could impact their playoff chances. Every game, every inning, seems to take on greater significance, and that's especially true when the opponent also is in the wild card chase.

The Tigers are one game behind the Orioles for the second spot. The Orioles are two behind the Red Sox, their next opponent, for first place in the division.

It's hard to downplay the importance of this road trip, which began with the Orioles twice beating the last-place Rays before losing on Wednesday.

The Orioles took three of four games from the Tigers on May 12-15 in Baltimore. One win at Comerica Park this weekend gives them the tie-breaker.

"It's probably a little ironic that we're facing Baltimore in September, out of division. Or fortuitous, depending on your outlook," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters. "But it's an important series. Both teams are trying to clinch a playoff spot and they're essentially fighting for the same ones right now."

The challenge for the Orioles increases because they're 31-38 on the road. The Tigers are 39-28 at home and have a rotation that ranks third in the American League with a 4.18 ERA.

The bullpen ranks 13th in the AL and 23rd in the majors at 4.24. The Orioles will try to dig deep into it.

Sort of like they did two years ago while playing October baseball.

The Orioles have won two straight series, both within the division. They haven't swept the Tigers in a three-game series in Detroit since May 2004. The Tigers haven't swept the Orioles in a three-game series in Detroit since July 2010.

Kevin Gausman has won his last four starts and hasn't allowed a run in the last three over 19 innings, with only four walks and 19 strikeouts. His season ERA is down to 3.58 in 25 starts. No one has stepped up higher in Chris Tillman's absence than Gausman.

(Speaking of Tillman, today's light bullpen session is the final step before making Sunday's start. Darren O'Day also will throw in the bullpen before the Orioles arrange a simulated game.)

Gausman is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers, all of them at Camden Yards. He gave up four runs and 10 hits in five innings in a 6-5 loss on May 15.

There also were 3 2/3 relief innings in Game 2 of the 2014 American League Division Series. Gausman allowed one run and three hits and struck out five batters.

Ian Kinsler is 5-for-11 with two doubles and a home run against Gausman. Victor Martinez is 1-for-12.

Gausman is 6-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 11 home starts and 1-9 with a 4.82 ERA in 14 road starts. He was 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 starts in the first half and is 6-4 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 starts since the break.

This is Gausman taking his game, and his facial hair, to the next level.

Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Fulmer opposed Gausman on May 15 - the rematch tonight being quite the coincidence - and allowed five runs (four earned) and five hits with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Fulmer put together a 10-start stretch through July 17 when he allowed six earned runs in 65 1/3 innings. He was 9-2 with a 2.11 ERA in 13 first-half starts and is 1-4 with a 3.60 ERA in nine starts after the break.

Manny Machado went 1-for-3 with a home run against Fulmer and Jonathan Schoop was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

September baseball picks up in intensity tonight. And yes, the expanded roster is part of the package.

"It doesn't happen in any other sport," said manager Buck Showalter. "Can you imagine in the last month of the season if they let coach (John) Harbaugh expand to a 100-man roster or whatever? He could play a different lineman on every play. Four different kickers for different yardages."