Free MLB Picks Today: Baltimore Orioles vs Detroit Tigers 4/21/23

The Baltimore Orioles (11-7), one of the highest-scoring lineups in baseball, are set to host the Detroit Tigers (7-10) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Tigers are embarking on a six-game road trip.

They split their last series against the Guardians, dropping the finale 3-2 on Wednesday at Comerica Park. Spencer Torkelson was 2 for 3 with a solo home run and a double. Zach McKinstry added a solo home run.

The Orioles are returning home for a six-game homestand. They are coming off a two-game sweep of the Nationals, taking the finale 4-0 on Wednesday at Nationals Park for their third straight win. Adam Frazier went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Tigers won five of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in September.

ON THE MOUND

Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 13.50 ERA) is in line to start for Detroit. The righty allowed six runs over four innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Giants on Saturday. He scattered eight hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision.

Right-hander Tyler Wells (0-1, 3.86 ERA) gets the ball for Baltimore. Wells made two appearances against the Tigers in 2022, both starts, striking out five and walking three over seven innings (0-2, 10.29).

In his last start on April 14, Wells took a no-decision on the road against the White Sox. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one in the 6-3 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Detroit offense is averaging 3.4 runs per game for the season, third lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .218/.278/.343. Riley Greene leads the team in OPS at .689. The right fielder is slashing .246/.297/.391 with two home runs, five RBIs, and 11 runs over 17 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Wells this season, the Tigers have a .640 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Kerry Carpenter is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .896 OPS in 45 at-bats. Baltimore is slashing .249/.348/.428 for the season and averaging 5.5 runs per game, fifth best in the league.

Jorge Mateo leads the team with a 1.056 OPS. The left fielder has three home runs, 12 RBIs, and 13 runs scored with a slash line of .362/.418/.638. The O’s have a .750 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .982 OPS over 46 at-bats, Adley Rutschman has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Detroit is 3-6 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.0 runs per game while allowing 5.8 runs. Baltimore has gone 4-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this season, averaging 5.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. In the last 10 games between the teams at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Detroit is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.2.