The Baltimore Orioles return home briefly for a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics. This is the second series between the Orioles (14-31) and Athletics (23-22). Baltimore played four games in Oakland back in April and was only able to win one of the games.

Tuesday night, Jeremy Guthrie (2-4, 3.86 ERA) will be opposed by Dallas Braden (4-4, 3.45). Guthrie has been pitching well his past few times out, but tired after the sixth inning in the O’s loss to Texas last Wednesday night. Braden, on the other hand, has a perfect game this season and seems to always pitch well against the Birds. The Orioles offense continues to struggle and that may not change against Braden.

On Wednesday, Brian Matusz (2-4, 5.26) will take the hill again after his shortest outing of the year against the Rangers. Matusz went 2.1 and gave up seven earned runs. His opponent will be Trevor Cahill. Cahill (2-2, 3.68) has split his last two decisions, but pitched more than six innings each time. He could be a tough opponent for the Orioles.

Thursday, the projected starter is David Hernandez (1-5, 5.31). However, with the bullpen in flux and Chris Tillman or Jake Arrieta making a charge in Triple-A, Hernandez could be moved to the bullpen to provide more than a one inning appearance. The starter for Oakland will be Gio Gonzalez (5-3, 3.46). Gonzalez won a pitcher’s duel in his last start, shutting down San Francisco over eight innings.

This will be another series that the Orioles offense struggles. Oakland always pitches well and the O’s historically don’t play well against the A’s. Baltimore is coming off two losses in games that were winnable over the weekend and there was a lot of speculation around Dave Trembley’s job. Hopefully, the home team can get a couple wins before heading back out on the road Friday.