This is the second meeting of the season between these two teams. The Blue Jays swept the O’s in Baltimore back in April with the Jays pitching holding the O’s bats in check allowing just eight runs in three games. This three-game at the Rogers Centre set will feature some great pitching match-ups as well as Chris Tillman’s first big-league start of 2010. The O’s come into this game losing two of three to the A’s including blowing a 5-2 lead in the eighth inning of Thursday’s finale. The Jays have been struggling as well, losing five of their last seven games and allowing 34 runs in those losses.

Friday, May 28, 7:07 pm
Orioles – Kevin Millwood (0-4, 3.71 ERA)
Blue Jays – Shaun Marcum (4-1, 2.82 ERA)

This is a pitching rematch of the Apr, 11 matchup in Baltimore that the Blue Jays won 5-2. Marcum earned a no-decision, going six innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. Millwood pitched 7 2/3 innings and gave up five hits, three of which were home runs, and allowed four runs (one earned) while getting the loss. Millwood has started 10 games and STILL does not have a win. He has only lost four games, but his team hasn’t helped him out enough to earn him a victory. Marcum has been the Jays ace this season and hasn’t allowed more than four runs in any of his 10 starts. He has, unlike Millwood, received a generous amount of run support, getting 23 runs in his last two starts.

Saturday, May 29, 1:07 pm
Orioles – Chris Tillman (0-0, -.–)
Blue Jays – Brett Cecil (4-2, 4.10 ERA)

This was supposed to be Millwood’s start, but with David Hernandez being moved to the bullpen they pushed everyone’s starts up a day. As a result, Chris Tillman was called up from Triple-A Norfolk and will make his first start of the season. Tillman started 12 games in 2009 and went 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA. As we all know, Tillman is one of the O’s top-rated pitching prospects and has done very well at Norfolk this season (3.12 ERA, 47:12 K:BB ratio in 57.2 innings). This start should go a long way in telling us if he is going to keep a spot in the starting rotation. Cecil pitched well in his last start, going 7 1/3 shutout innings and only giving up two hits against the Angels. The O’s are going to have to put a bat on the ball because Cecil is not one to give many free passes. He hasn’t allowed more than three walks in any of his seven starts.

Sunday, May 30, 1:07 pm
Orioles – Jeremy Guthrie (2-4, 3.86 ERA)
Blue Jays – Ricky Romero (4-2, 3.42 ERA)

After struggling for the majority of last season, Guthrie has turned in eight quality starts in 10 outings this season. But like most of the O’s pitchers, Guthrie has been bitten by the run support bug. However, the O’s managed to score five runs in his last start, a 5-1 win against the A’s last Tuesday. Another aspect Guthrie has brought to the table this season is being able to go deep into games. He has thrown 100 or more pitches in six of his 10 starts and has last at least six innings in all 10. Guthrie is 2-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 11 career outings against the Jays. Romero is solid for being in just his second year in the league. He is a strikeout machine and already has 72 for the season opposed to only 27 walks. Romero was tagged in his last outing, though, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in just 5 1/3 innings against the Angels.

Submitted by Steve Giles