O's game blog: Dylan Bundy looks for fifth win facing White Sox

The Orioles host the Chicago White Sox tonight in the second game of a three-game series at Camden Yards. The Orioles (18-10) begin play a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East, while the White Sox (15-13) start the night in a four-way tie for first in the AL Central.

Tonight's game is not starting on time ,but the delay is expected to be brief. As of 7 p.m., the tarp was on the field with a light rain falling. Just after 7 p.m., the O's announced a start time for tonight of approximately 7:45 p.m.

The Orioles won 4-2 last night to improve 9-3 (.750) in home games. That is the second-best home record in the majors. They trail only the Yankees at 12-3 (.800).

Orioles hitters rank third in the American League and eighth in the majors with a batting average of .279 with runners in scoring position. The Orioles trail the Houston Astros (.300) and Detroit Tigers (.285) for the AL lead.

O's second baseman Jonathan Schoop is not starting tonight. He has a sore right hand after being hit by a pitch last night, but X-rays were negative.

This will end a streak of 190 consecutive games started by Schoop. That currently ranks second in the majors. According to STATS, LLC., he trails only Alcides Escobar with 199 consecutive games started. Third baseman Manny Machado currently ranks fourth with 97 consecutive games started. Schoop also ranks second in the majors in consecutive games played (190) and has reached base safely in 22 consecutive games. His 22-game on-base streak is the third-longest active streak in the majors and ties his career high.

The White Sox have won eight of their last 12 games and 13 of 22 as they continue a 10-game trip tonight. Sox starting pitchers own a 2.03 ERA, .188 opponent batting average and have given up just one home run in the last four games with three quality starts. Chicago leads the major leagues with a 3.20 ERA and has held the opposition to three runs or less 15 times in 2017.

The White Sox are 7-10 in games started by right-handers this season. Their .215 average versus right-handers is the lowest in the major leagues and their 18 home runs are the fourth-lowest total.

Tonight, they face a right-hander with Dylan Bundy (4-1, 1.82 ERA), who is making his fourth start at home and seventh of the season.

Bundy has recorded a quality start in all six of his outings and that represents 40 percent of the club's 15 quality starts for the year. He is one of four pitchers in the majors to have six quality starts this season. The others are Detroit's Michael Fulmer, Boston's Chris Sale and Minnesota's Ervin Santana.

The Orioles are 5-1 in Bundy starts and he ranks fifth in the AL in ERA. Tonight is his first start against a non-AL East team. In seven career games (two starts) versus AL Central clubs, he has gone 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, three walks and 17 strikeouts. He is 2-0 in his two career starts with a 1.64 ERA.

In an all-Dylan matchup tonight, Dylan Covey (0-2, 7.29 ERA) starts for Chicago. He gave up nine hits and six runs over 6 2/3 in his last start against Kansas City.

He has reverse splits through four 2017 starts. While lefty batters have hit .255 against him, right-handed batters are hitting. 417 with an OPS of 1.226 against the 26-year-old Covey.