May 5 American League probable pitching matchup capsules

The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the surprise teams in baseball and their rotation has been led by one of the surprise pitchers in the league in Jason Hammel. He faces a surging Boston team on Saturday afternoon. Bet on Orioles-Red Sox and every game at WagerWeb.com.

Baltimore at Boston – Orioles RHP Jason Hammel (3-1, 1.97) vs. Red Sox RHP Aaron Cook (0-0, 0.00): The Orioles’ most effective starter so far this season, the 29-year-old Hammel will make his first start against the Red Sox as a member of the O’s. Hammel has gone at least five innings and allowed two earned runs or fewer in every game this season. … The veteran Cook will make his first appearance in a Boston uniform, replacing Josh Beckett, who is missing a start with a right lat injury. A sinkerballer, Cook has won 72 games in the bigs, all with the Rox.

Chicago White Sox at Detroit — White Sox RHP Gavin Floyd (2-3, 3.13) vs. Tigers RHP Max Scherzer (1-3, 7.77): Floyd came within eight outs of throwing the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history during Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Red Sox. In the process, he fanned nine and gave up just three hits in 6 2/3 innings. … After 119 pitches weren’t enough to get Scherzer out of the fifth inning Sunday at Yankee Stadium, he went to video of last year’s starts to find out what was different. He believes he has found the problem.

Texas at Cleveland – Rangers LHP Derek Holland (2-2, 5.13) vs. Indians RHP Derek Lowe (4-1, 2.27): Holland has allowed 12 runs in his last 13 innings while losing two straight starts. He is 12-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 32 career starts and nine relief appearances on the road. He is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in three career starts against the Indians. … Lowe picked up his team-leading fourth win of the season by holding the Angels scoreless on three hits over 7 1/3 innings on Sunday. The right-hander issued two walks, struck out one and induced 14 outs via ground balls.

NY Yankees at Kansas City – Yankees RHP Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.69) vs. Royals RHP Felipe Paulino (first start). Kuroda snapped an unwelcome trend of following a good start with a subpar effort in his last outing, limiting the Orioles to a run on four hits over seven innings. He has allowed three earned runs in his last 13 2/3 innings pitched. … Paulino has yet to play in the majors in 2012. He had a 4.26 ERA in a starting role last season, and a 4.11 ERA overall.

Oakland at Tampa Bay – A’s RHP Bartolo Colon (3-2, 2.53) vs. Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.51): Colon, who fired 8 1/3 strong innings in Baltimore on Sunday, has allowed just four earned runs in his last 30 1/3 innings. The veteran righty has fanned 26 batters against just six walks through his first six starts. … Hellickson threw seven strong innings Tuesday against Seattle thanks to an effective fastball-changeup combo, giving up one run and striking out seven. Hellickson has allowed only two earned runs in 21 2/3 innings over three home starts this season.

Toronto at LA Angels – Jays RHP Kyle Drabek (2-2, 2.40) vs. Angels LHP C.J. Wilson (3-2, 2.70): Drabek struck out a career-high eight batters during his last start against the Rangers. He has allowed two runs or less in all five of his starts this season but has only two wins to show for it because of a lack of run support. … Wilson cruised through seven scoreless frames versus the Twins on Monday, giving up just three hits and putting only one runner in scoring position. He then gave up three runs in an eighth inning he said he was “too amped” for, but still got the win.

Minnesota at Seattle – Twins RHP Jason Marquis (2-0, 6.23) vs. Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (2-1, 2.23): Marquis turned in his best outing of the young season against the Royals on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings to pick up the win. It also marked just the fourth quality start for the Twins in 21 games. … Lack of run support again was an issue when Hernandez threw eight innings of one-run ball and got a no-decision Monday against the Rays. Hernandez is 4-5 with a 2.64 ERA in 12 career starts against the Twins.

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