Orioles hoping to repeat recent history against Keuchel

Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel, the American League Pitcher of the Month for April and May, has won seven of eight decisions this season and posted a 1.76 ERA in 11 starts.

Sounds like a daunting task for the Orioles today, but at least they've beaten him once this season.

Caleb Joseph and Steve Pearce hit two-run homers off Keuchel in a 4-3 victory on April 25 at Camden Yards. Keuchel has surrendered only three home runs in 81 2/3 innings.

Steve Clevenger caught last night so Joseph could be behind the plate this afternoon.

Joseph is 2-for-5 with the home run lifetime against Keuchel. Manny Machado is 3-for-9 and Delmon Young is 2-for-3.

J.J. Hardy is 3-for-9 with a double, but he's out of the lineup again today. Look for him Friday in Cleveland.

For once, "sore oblique" hasn't led to a stint on the disabled list. The Orioles apparently caught it in time.

Pearce is 1-for-7 with the home run against Keuchel, and Adam Jones is 1-for-9.

Keuchel has allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of his 11 starts this season, and two earned runs or fewer in eight. He's 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts against the Orioles.

Left-handers are batting .123 against Keuchel, but the Orioles' lineup includes three of them. Not like manager Buck Showalter has many right-handed options, especially with Hardy on the bench.

Then again, right-handers are batting .198, so there's no real advantage when facing Keuchel.

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is 1-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts this season. He didn't receive a decision against the Astros on May 25 after allowing three runs and 11 hits in five innings, with no walks and six strikeouts.

Chen has registered a quality start in six of his 10 starts this season, but he's stuck on one victory.

Chen is 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA in four career starts against the Astros. He allowed one run and four hits over 5 1/3 innings in his only start at Minute Maid Park.

The current Astros are batting .323 against Chen. Jose Altuve is 6-for-13, and George Springer is 5-for-9 with a double and home run.

Chris Carter, who homered twice last night off Miguel Gonzalez, is 3-for-13 with a home run against Chen.

The Astros and Dodgers are tied for the major league lead with 74 home runs. The Orioles are ninth with 57.