The Orioles have won the first two games of their series against the Rangers, and they're scheduled to face a pitcher tonight who's making his first major league start.
Heck, T.J. McFarland already had one before last night. He's a seasoned pro by comparison.
Miles Mikolas, brought up yesterday after left-hander Joe Saunders was designated for assignment, is the 11th different Texas pitcher to start this season - the most in the American League and one behind the Rockies.
Mikolas, 25, is 3-1 with a 3.58 as a starter at Triple-A Round Rock and 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in relief.
Mikolas (pronounced "MIY-koh-lahs") saved 26 games in 30 opportunities with Triple-A Tucson in 2013. This starting thing is relatively new to him.
It's much more common for Chris Tillman, who's gone 1-4 at home this season despite posting a 2.47 ERA in seven starts.
So Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez are a combined 2-10 at Camden Yards. The top two starters in the rotation.
We'll go with "interesting."
Tillman is 3-1 with a 4.66 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers. He didn't receive a decision on June 5 after allowing five runs and six hits, with three walks, in one inning in Arlington.
Remember when everyone was concerned about Tillman - the groin, the drop in velocity, the early departures?
Over his next four starts, Tillman has given up five runs and 23 hits in 28 innings while going 2-2. He's allowed one run in 15 innings in his last two outings and takes a streak of four consecutive quality starts into tonight's game.
Elvis Andrus is 5-for-11 lifetime against Tillman, and Adrian Beltre is 4-for-9 with a home run. Alex Rios and Carlos Pena are a combined 2-for-19, though Rios has a home run.
Earlier today, the Orioles transferred infielder Jemile Weeks from short-season Single-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides are home now and the Orioles easily can summon Weeks if they want to add an infielder during Manny Machado's absence.
Also, non-roster infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. was named to the International League All-Star team. He's batting .304 with 16 doubles, three homers and 32 RBIs.
Orioles top draft pick Brian Gonzalez (third round) made his professional debut today in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and and retired the side in order with one strikeout.
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