Game 140 Preview: Orioles vs. Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees will square off in the middle game of a three game series (technically four?) at Yankee Stadium tonight after a ridiculous 11-10 game on Monday. 

As most of you well know, the Yankees and Orioles have been rained out four times this year (4/12, 4/22, 8/27, 8/27). Tonight could very well be the fifth rainout. Here's the weather report. 

Phil Hughes receives the nod for the Yankees. As my colleague Frankie Camp pointed out earlier, this game is a crucial one for young Hughes. He's shown since the beginning of August that he can be great and he can also be terrible. Take a look at the breakdown below. 

First three starts of August (taking out relief appearance vs. Boston) - 19.2 innings, nine hits, three runs, four walks, 12 strikeouts. 

Last two starts of August - 8.1 innings, 15 hits, 12 runs, two walks, nine strikeouts. 

Hughes will be battling not only for a playoff rotation spot, but for a spot in the five man rotation to end the season. An impressive start tonight won't hurt. 

For Baltimore, Tommy Hunter will get the start. After a pretty impressive season with the Texas Rangers in 2010, Hunter experienced a painful reoccurring groin injury that hamper the majority of his 2011 campaign. The Rangers ultimately traded him to the Baltimore as part of the Koji Uehara deal. To put it nicely, he's been bad. In his first 37.2 innings on the east coast, Hunter has allowed 51 hits, 26 runs, and only struck out 13 batters. However, he's walked just two hitters. 

Phil Hughes vs. current Oriole hitters

Tommy Hunter vs. current Yankee hitters

Yankees lineup - Gardner LF, Jeter SS, Granderson CF, Teixeira 1B, Cano 2B, Swisher RF, Chavez 3B, Posada DH, Cervelli C

Orioles lineup - Angle LF, Hardy SS, Markakis RF, Jones CF, Guerrero DH, Reynolds 1B, Wieters C, Davis 3B, Andino 2B