All-Stars versus the Tigers

By Olivia Witherite (@oliviawitherite)

Now that it’s over, I can officially say how I feel about the 2012 All-Star Game and festivities!

“Ehhh…”

However, I will say that it was simply awesome to see three Orioles suit up and play for the American League. Now back in Baltimore, Matt Wieters, Jim Johnson and Adam Jones, along with the rest of the Orioles, are resting up to prepare for the second half of the season, which will begin as the O’s face the Tigers at Camden Yards.

So, off their appearances in Kansas City, what can we expect from the All-Stars against Detroit? Let’s take a closer look at their numbers.

Wieters has played (and started) 22 games versus the Tigers. His batting average is .247/.297/.370. He has no home runs, but he does have eight RBIs.

Jones has played in a few more games against Detroit, 30 to be exact. To say that the center fielder likes to hit against the team would be an understatement. Lifetime, he is hitting .319/.355/.460. In 113 at-bats, he has three home runs, three stolen bases and 13 RBIs. Fun fact: Jones’ highest career average is versus the Houston Astros, (.500 in eight at-bats.) His second highest – the Baltimore Orioles.

Not to be overshadowed by the center fielder, Johnson has been lights out versus the AL Central team. He has faced them in four years in the majors. In 12 innings of work, Johnson has given up just one run with eight hits. Broken down by year, his numbers look like this:

2008: 2 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs 2 holds

2009: 3 1/3 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 hold

2010: 3 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 2 holds

2011: 1-0, 3 2/3 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 save

This weekend is bound to be a great one. The Tigers are currently third in the Central, holding to a respectable 44-42 record. They headed into the break riding on a five-game win streak. The Birds will be facing Doug Fister (2-6, 4.75 ERA,) Max Scherzer (8-5, 4.72 ERA,) and Justin Verlander (9-5, 2.58 ERA). Verlander will be coming off a rough All-Star Game start, but that means nothing for the tough righty.

It will be a fun series at Camden, and I’m really hoping I can walk away from it on Sunday with a feeling a little more positive than “Ehh…”