Looking at starter vs. opponent matchups in anticipation of Division Series

The Orioles took a train to New York last night for a four-game series against the Yankees.

Four more chances to talk about Derek Jeter. To think about him. To smell his scent.

Buck Showalter will be asked again about his memories of Jeter, about being the shortstop's first manager with the Yankees. Showalter will praise Jeter and immediately point out that the Orioles also have statues and a proud history.

Sorry to ruin the ending for you. I should have included a spoiler alert.

Players were packing their bags yesterday for the trip. A few, including outfielder Quintin Berry and reliever Evan Meek, also were placing some of their belongings in boxes to be shipped home.

Showalter indicated that he will reveal the Division Series rotation while we're in New York. He joked that he would give it to reporters on a slow news day, or confirm one name per day.

Chris Tillman and Wei-Yin Chen will start the first two games at Camden Yards. Let's not pretend that it's still up in the air. It's a lock.

Miguel Gonzalez is expected to start Game 3 on the road. Just waiting for confirmation.

Showalter is piecing together his rotation without knowing the opponent. He's checking the matchups.

"We'll look at it some. We already have," he said. "I've got an idea who pitches well against Detroit and Kansas City, and if it becomes somebody else, we have those. Ben (Werthan) does every team that's in contention and we take one out every time somebody's eliminated. So we're trying to be prepared for all of them."

Werthan is the Orioles' coordinator of advance scouting. One of those behind-the-scenes guys who plays such an integral role in the team's success.

The Tigers lead the American League Central by 1 1/2 games over the Royals. The Orioles are two back of the Angels in the loss column for the best record in baseball and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Orioles would play the AL Central winner if they remain behind the Angels. The playoff system is complicated, but I'm fairly certain about that one.

Tillman is 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA in six career starts against the Tigers and 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA in four starts in Detroit. He's 2-2 with a 6.21 ERA in five starts against the Royals and 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts in Kansas City.

Tillman tossed a complete-game five-hit shutout on May 16 at Kauffman Stadium.

In the name of expanded research, I'll also mention that Tillman is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the Athletics and 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in Oakland. He's 6-0 with a 2.03 ERA in six starts against the Mariners, his former team, and 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA in two starts in Seattle.

If the Orioles are somehow matched up against the Mariners, Tillman may start Games 1, 3 and 5.

Chen is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts against the Tigers and 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in one start in Detroit - allowing five runs and seven hits in five innings. He's 1-1 with a 4.17 ERA in six starts against the Royals and 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts in Kansas City.

Chen is 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts against the A's and 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts in Oakland. He's 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts against the Mariners and 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA in four starts in Seattle.

Gonzalez is 0-2 with an 8.47 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against the Tigers and 0-1 with an 18.90 ERA in one start in Detroit - allowing seven runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in his first start this season on April 4. He's 1-2 with a 4.82 ERA in three starts against the Royals and 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in one start in Kansas City - allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings on June 25, 2013.

Gonzalez is 0-0 with a 5.68 ERA in two games (one start) against the A's and 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in one start in Oakland. He's 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against the Mariners and 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one start in Seattle.

Bud Norris is 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA in four starts against the Tigers and 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in two starts in Detroit - allowing 12 runs and 18 hits in 10 innings. He's 0-1 with a 0.68 ERA in two starts against the Royals and 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA in one start in Kansas City.

Norris is 0-2 with a 9.35 ERA in four starts against the A's and 0-1 with an 81.00 ERA in one start in Oakland - allowing six runs and five hits and walking three batters in two-thirds of an inning on April 17, 2013. He's 1-3 with a 5.56 ERA in four starts against the Mariners and 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts in Seattle.

Kevin Gausman, who may shift to the bullpen for the Division Series if he's included on the roster, is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against the Tigers. He's never pitched at Comerica Park. He's never faced the Royals.

Gausman is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts against the A's and 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in one start in Oakland - allowing five runs and nine hits in four innings on July 20. He's 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA in one start against the Mariners, which took place in Seattle.

Ubaldo Jimenez isn't expected to be included on the Division Series roster, but again, we're waiting for confirmation. He's probably going to start in New York this week, perhaps as early as Tuesday.

Jimenez is 5-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 17 starts against the Tigers and 2-7 with a 6.80 ERA in nine starts in Detroit. He's 4-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 11 starts against the Royals and 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA in five starts in Kansas City.

Jimenez is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA in five starts against the A's and 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts in Oakland. He's 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in five starts against the Mariners and 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in two starts in Seattle.