Preview: Baltimore Orioles Take on San Diego Padres at Camden Yards

Apr 17, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman (30) pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Rays defeated the Orioles 6 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

In this two game series at Camden Yards, the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles face off for the first time in three years. This will be a regrouping period for the Orioles, as fourteen of their last seventeen games have been on the road. With the Padres in town the O’s kick off an eight game home stand.

It will be a battle on the mound, Padres probable starter Andrew Cashner (2-2 3.23 ERA) versus Orioles probable starter Chris Tillman(3-1 3.76 ERA). Both pitchers appear equal, setting this up to be a pretty good matchup. Usually in the bullpen, Cashner has made the transition to starter. Cashner is coming off an impressive start against the Marlins, where he went scoreless in 7 1/3 innings, allowed only four hits, three BB, and struck out four.

Tillman, however, is coming off a rocky start against the Kansas City Royals. Tillman allowed three earned runs, three BB, and five hits. He also had a season low of two strikeouts in six innings. While Tillman needs this start to regain his confidence, the Orioles lineup needs to make a jump on Cashner early, because this will be his only fifth start of the season.

Tillman also needs to be able to control the red-hot bats of the Padres. In their last 14 games, San Diego has hit 19 homeruns: three each coming from Headley and Venable, with the others coming from ten different players. Cashner has to be aware of the power in the Orioles lineup as well; over the weekend the Orioles collected 20 runs, 41 hits and went 2-1 against the Twins over the weekend.

It will be an interesting and fun game to watch and see which pitcher comes out on top. During their last meeting at Petco Park June 18-20, 2010 the Padres took two of three in the series.

The game will air on MASN HD at 7:05 ET.