Royals at Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are hardly world-beaters at Camden Yards, but they likely will embrace a return home with open arms after going 0-6 on their second consecutive road trip. The American League cellar-dwelling Orioles aim to pick themselves off the mat Tuesday as they begin a nine-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.
"Getting your brains beaten in every night stinks. We've got to do better, do the fundamentals correctly, clean it up. All aspects," said catcher Caleb Joseph, who saw Baltimore strike out 40 times in a three-game series sweep at the hands of Oakland. Pedro Alvarez belted a homer in the second inning of Sunday's 2-1 setback for just his second hit this month (2-for-19) for the Orioles (8-26), who have been outscored 35-17 in May. Kansas City (11-23) has taken steps to turn its season around with victories in six of its last nine, including three of four versus Detroit to snap a 10-series winless skid. "We've been going out and grinding and playing good baseball," Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said. "... Lately we've been playing great ball. Things are starting to fall for us."
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Kansas City, MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-4, 5.63 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (1-4, 3.76)
Duffy had kept the damage done by the long ball to a minimum since being taken deep three times in his season opener before getting drilled for four homers and five runs total in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-4 setback at Boston on Wednesday. The 29-year-old has allowed 15 runs on 26 hits in his last three outings after striking out eight and scattering two hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against Toronto on April 17. Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo are each batting .400 versus Duffy, but the right-hander has flummoxed Chris Davis (.077) and Adam Jones (.087, nine strikeouts) while posting a 2-2 career mark with a 2.23 ERA versus Baltimore.
Bundy has been blitzed for 15 runs (12 earned) and 18 hits - including five homers - in his last two outings (nine innings), including being taken deep a career high-tying three times in a 10-7 setback at the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The 25-year-old didn't receive any favors from his defense, either, as costly errors from Chris Davis and Manny Machado contributed to his undoing. Bundy's track record against Baltimore suggests a strong chance for a rebound, as he has kept Alcides Escobar (0-for-7) and Salvador Perez (0-for-6) hitless while recording a 1-0 career mark with a 1.76 ERA and 0.91 WHIP versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has nine hits and five runs scored in his last seven games.
2. Baltimore expects to activate Schoop (strained oblique) from the disabled list prior to the series opener and could have OFs Adam Jones (wrist) and Trey Mancini (knee) back in the lineup.
3. Kansas City RF Jorge Soler has three homers, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored while hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 contests.