O’s call on Jimenez to come through vs. Nats
Ubaldo Jimenez has been given another chance to contribute to the Orioles’ rotation. How will he fare, though, against the best team in the National League East?
In a few hours, Baltimore takes on Washington in the finale of the Beltway Series. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI endorse the Nationals as 1.5-run favorites. Conversely, Buck Showalter’s crew represents a +190 underdog. The over/under run total sits at 8.5.
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Fifteen-game winner Chris Tillman is sidelined due to right shoulder bursitis, so Jimenez (5-10, 6.94 ERA) draws a start for the first time since July 28. The veteran righty holds a 23-29 record with a 1.53 WHIP in 79 outings as an Oriole. He’s faced the Nats on eight occasions.
Dusty Baker answers with Max Scherzer (13-7, 3.05), he of the NL-leading 217 strikeouts. With no Stephen Strasburg (elbow soreness) around, the 32-year-old becomes even more important. Most recently, Scherzer tossed 6 1/3 innings of four-run ball at Turner Field.
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Showalter can’t be elated by the prospect of deploying Jimenez in a crucial spot. Then again, Baltimore’s offense remains capable of exploding at any moment. Manny Machado’s hitting at a .364 clip over the past five contests, while Adam Jones boasts a .500 career average vs. Scherzer. Washington should still improve to 74-53 on the season, but expect the O’s to put up a valiant fight.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: ORIOLES/NATIONALS OVER 8.5 RUNS