The Orioles have the fourth-best record in the American League, but have been outscored by their opponents on the season. They have won seven of their last nine, but lost nine of 11 before that. They have the third-best ERA+ in the league, but the fifth worst OPS+. They’re having fun, but it won’t last, though given the way the Yankees have been playing recently, it may last a little longer.

The good news for the Yankees is that they’ll have Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup tonight, which will fill one of the three gaping holes in their lineup. (Man, this sure looks a lot better, don’t it?)

Alex and pals will be facing Daniel Cabrera tonight. Cabrera has turned in seven straight quality starts, posting a 2.50 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over that stretch. Most impressively, his walk rate has been a strong 2.68 BB/9 during those seven starts and he has allowed just four home runs, this after walking nine men and allowing four homers in his first ten innings on the season. Opposing Cabrera is Mike Mussina, who has gone 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA with just three walks and two homers over his last five starts.

There are a lot of coins standing on their sides at the Stadium tonight. The question is which of them will tip over.

Baltimore Orioles

2008 Record: 23-20 (.535)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 21-22 (.486)

Manager: Dave Trembley
General Manager: Andy MacPhail

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Oriole Park at Camden Yards (101/102)

Who’s Replacing Whom:

Freddie Bynum (DL) replaces Brandon Fahey
Alex Cintron (minors) replaces Greg Aquino (minors)
Bynum and Cintron replace Luis Hernandez as a shortstop platoon
Garrett Olson (minors) replaces Adam Loewen (DL)
Lance Cormier (minors) replaces Randor Bierd (DL)

25-man Roster:

1B – Kevin Millar (R)
2B – Brian Roberts (S)
SS – Freddie Bynum (L)
3B – Melvin Mora (R)
C – Ramon Hernandez (R)
RF – Nick Markakis (L)
CF – Adam Jones (R)
LF – Luke Scott (L)
DH – Aubrey Huff (L)

Bench:

R – Jay Payton (OF)
S – Alex Cintron (IF)
S – Luis Hernandez (IF)
R – Guillermo Quiroz (C)

Rotation:

R – Jeremy Guthrie
R – Daniel Cabrera
R – Steve Trachsel
L – Garrett Olson
L – Brian Burres

Bullpen:

L – George Sherrill
L – Jamie Walker
R – Chad Bradford
R – Dennis Sarfate
R – Matt Albers
R – Jim Johnson
R – Lance Cormier

15-day DL: L – Adam Loewen, R – Randor Bierd, R – Chris Ray, R- Danys Baez, R – Fernando Cabrera, L – Troy Patton, R – Jim Hoey, R – Rocky Cherry

Typical Lineup:

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)
L – Aubrey Huff (DH)
R – Kevin Millar (1B)
L – Luke Scott (LF)
R – Ramon Hernandez (C)
R – Adam Jones (CF)
L – Freddie Bynum (SS)