By collecting one hit last night, a single into right field in the eighth inning, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis raised his average one point to .195.
Davis hasn't been above .200 since July 26. He's 1-for-11 this month after batting .167 in July and .175 in June.
The Orioles didn't get into Toronto until early this morning, but Davis should feel invigorated. He's a career .303/.382/.660 hitter in 69 games against the Blue Jays, and .347/.441/.703 in 28 games at Rogers Centre.
Davis' 22 homers and 56 RBIs are the most against any team. He's got eight homers and 23 RBIs in Toronto.
This three-game series could be exactly what the hit doctor ordered.
Adam Jones has 24 homers and 62 RBIs in 117 games against the Blue Jays, also his highest totals against any team. He's got 12 homers and 26 RBIs in 56 games at Rogers Centre.
No one works over this team like Davis and Jones.
Toronto left-hander Mark Buehrle is making his third start against the Orioles this season, the first at home. He allowed one run over seven innings on April 13 and four runs over 6 1/3 innings on June 12.
Buehrle is 8-9 with a 4.17 ERA in 23 games (21 starts) against the Orioles.
Davis is 6-for-19 (316) with two homers against Buehrle. Jones is 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles and a home run.
Everyone takes a back seat to Nick Markakis, who's 20-for-46 (.435) with five doubles, two homers and seven RBIs.
This should be an interesting lineup. Delmon Young had another pinch-hit last night, and he's 19-for-48 (.396) with two doubles, four homers and eight RBIs against Buehrle. He's got to play, right?
Nelson Cruz is 1-for-17 (.059) against Buehrle, and he's presently in a 1-for-32 slump after going hitless in four at-bats last night. Nationals center fielder Denard Span robbed him in the sixth with a diving catch.
I'm just wondering if Young plays and Cruz sits tonight.
J.J. Hardy most likely will play, but he's 3-for-28 (.107) with a double and home run against Buehrle.
Bud Norris is facing the Blue Jays for the fourth time this season. He's 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in four career starts against them.
On April 12, Norris shut out the Blue Jays over seven innings at Camden Yards. He allowed three runs over six innings in his only career start at Rogers Centre on April 24. And on June 14, he allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings at Camden Yards.
The Orioles can visit with an old friend, Nolan Reimold, who's 7-for-23 (.304) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in eight games with Toronto.
Colby Rasmus is 5-for-27 (.185) with two doubles and two home runs against Norris. Jose Reyes is 8-for-23 (.348), Josh Thole is 5-for-15 (.333) with a home run, Dioner Navarro is 4-for-11 (.364) with a double and home run, and Melky Cabrera is 4-for-12 (.333).
I talked to someone late last night who also confirmed that reliever Jim Johnson isn't signing with the Orioles.
The sense within the organization is that Johnson has decided on a team, and he didn't see a real opportunity with the Orioles based on the composition of their bullpen.
Somehow, manager Buck Showalter has to make room for Ubaldo Jimenez on the pitching staff. It doesn't have to be done immediately, since Jimenez pitched Sunday night at Triple-A Norfolk, but it's coming.
Who steps aside for Jimenez?
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