Orioles and Twins: Doubleheader Recovery Day

May 1, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Nick Markakis (21) is congratulated by third base coach Bobby Dickerson (11) after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Pirates 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

For the Baltimore Orioles and the Minnesota Twins, there are a number of striking similarities entering the first game of a three-game series. Just 24 hours ago, each team had a record of 12-12; and each played a doubleheader. However, the Orioles swept to two wins over the Pirates while the Twins dropped their twin bill to the Dodgers.

But here is another similarity in the pitching matchup for this evening: Ubaldo Jimenez of the Orioles ($50 million, 4-year contract) will be going against Ricky Nolasco of the Twins ($49 million, 4-year contract). So what can an extra million dollars buy you in the free agent market these days? It is clear – Jimenez comes into the game with a 6.59 ERA, while Nolasco languishes a million bucks behind a 6.67!

You simply can’t find this sort of quality analysis just anywhere!

Orioles fans are worried today about how the bullpen was used up in the late doubleheader at Camden Yards. Over 19 innings of baseball, the Orioles’ pen pitched nine of them. However, the Twins have a worse situation with their relief corps throwing over 12 innings last yesterday. Certainly the Twins did get more sleep – at least in a real bed and not on an airplane.

Jimenez is looking for his first decent start as an Oriole. He enters the game 0-4, having given up 33 hits and 17 walks in 27.1 innings.

Known as a notoriously slow starter (at least that’s what we’re hanging our hats on), maybe this will be the breakout game for him here in this new month of May! Yes, I’m reaching here for good news.

But to add to our worries, weather.com reports that it will be 54 degrees at game time tonight … which is still about 25 degrees too cold for Ubaldo. Of course, these meteorologists are the same weather people who yesterday said there was 0% chance of rain in Baltimore! Two rain delays later has my faith in them shattered.

And then there is this statement of confidence from Jimenez himself, “I know things have to change. Hopefully I get it going in May. It seems like every time I go out there I find a way to lose the game.”

Here are Ubaldo’s stats for this season / career versus the Twins / total career…

L

ERA

G

GS

IP

H

R

ER

HR

BB

SO

AVG

WHIP

2014 Stats

0

4

6.59

5

5

27.1

33

20

20

5

17

21

.300

1.83

Vs. Twins

3

3

2.90

6

6

40.1

37

15

13

1

13

42

.245

1.31

MLB Career

82

79

3.98

217

216

1303.0

1176

629

576

108

590

1193

.241

1.36

The Minnesota player with the most plate appearances against him is Josh Willingham at 3-for-18 with a homer, but he is currently on the disabled list. Brian Dozier is 3-for-8, while Joe Mauer has but a single in eight at bats. Young outfielder Chris Herrmann is 3-for-6 with two doubles.

Nolasco has given up even more hits than Jimenez – 43 in 29.1 innings, though he issues fewer walks and has two wins to his credit. Once again there is not an extensive history against the Orioles. After Markakis had a breakout day with a pair of homers (and a near miss at the beginning of game 2), he today faces a pitcher against whom he is 0-for-10 …

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

.000

5

2

0

0

0

0

1

3

.400

6

2

2

0

0

1

0

2

.333

4

1

0

1

0

1

0

0

.250

4

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

.250

3

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

.333