Today's pitchers: Berken vs. Burnett

RHP Jason Berken (1-7, 6.44) today makes his 11th start of this season, his 5th on the road and the 1st of his career vs. the Yankees. Since pitching to an ERA of 2.25 over his first two starts, Berken has mostly struggled. He is coming off his second worst start of the year. Last Friday at Chicago he took the loss and allowed six runs and two homers in 4 1/3 innings. He had pitched to an ERA of 4.58 in his previous four starts. Berken has just one quality start on the year and has pitched six innings or more just twice. Right-handed hitters are batting .270 vs. Berken while lefties are hitting .339. The Orioles are 2-8 in his ten starts. In four road starts, Berken is 0-3, 10.26. Since getting the win in his Major League debut, Berken is 0-7 over his last nine starts. RHP A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.81) today makes his 19th start of 2009, his 10th at home and the 11th of his career vs. Baltimore. Last year with Toronto, the 32-year-old Burnett went 18-10, 4.07. On December 18th, he signed a five-year, 82 million dollar contract with New York. Burnett has been on a roll recently: Burnett, his last six starts: 4-1, 1.82 Burnett, his last nine starts: 6-2, 2.28 Burnett has allowed 3ER or less in nine straight starts. The Yankees are 12-6 when he starts this year, winning his last four outings. Burnett, 2009: Home: 3-1, 3.81, 9 starts Road: 5-3, 3.81, 9 starts Burnett had 231 strikeouts last season to lead all of Major League baseball. He has 23 career games of ten strikeouts or more. This season, right-handed batters are hitting .260 against him, lefties are batting .227 and he gives up an average of just .194 when pitching with runners in scoring position. Twice this season Burnett has pitched no-hit ball through five innings. He did it April 14 at Tampa and June 27th at the Mets. Burnett vs. Baltimore: 2009: 1-0, 3.38, one start (5 1/3IP, 7H, 2R-ER on April 9) 2008: 2-1, 9.82, three starts Career: 8-1, 4.83, ten starts (63 1/3IP, 60H, 26B, 63K)