O's game blog: Jimenez on the mound for Minnesota series opener

Even with a starting staff that has not produced many quality starts or pitched enough innings so far this season, even having played parts of the year without three key members of the infield and dealing with some crazy weather and travel, the Orioles still could emerge atop the American League East standings at the end of tonight. That would be a nice rebound from a 1-4 start. The 14-12 Orioles begin play tonight a half-game behind first-place New York in the AL East. Will this be the night of Ubaldo Jimenez's first win as an Oriole? He is 0-4 with an ERA of 6.59 over five starts. He's allowed four runs or more four times, is averaging 5.6 walks per nine innings and has a WHIP of 1.829. So yeah, it could be going better for him. But with the calender turning to May, maybe things will start turning around for Jimenez. He has a career ERA of 5.23 in April and 3.89 in May. He has also pitched well in his career against Minnesota, going 3-3 with a 2.90 ERA in six starts. He has allowed just one homer over 40 1/3 innings against the Twins. Ricky Nolasco, who has had a few struggles in 2014 himself, gets the start for the Twins. He is 2-2 with a 6.67 ERA over five starts. He has given up five runs or more four times. Both teams are expecting better from these right-handers. The O's signed Jimenez to a four-year deal worth $50 million and Nolasco was signed to a four-year deal worth $49 million by Minnesota. The Orioles are 14-7 against the Twins the last three seasons. They are 8-3 in their last 11 games at Minnesota, hitting 14 homers with 61 runs scored.