08/06 Padres Preview: Game 113 vs. Baltimore

Tonight the Padres begin a two-game series against the Orioles sandwiched between two off days before heading back on the road. So far 4-2 on this homestand, San Diego will see if they can continue their recent success now that their All Star shortstop is out for the rest of the season. They come into this series having taken two of three each from the Reds and the Yankees during this homestand and having won four consecutive series overall and 10 of their last 15 games. However, earlier this year they went just 5-12 with Everth Cabrera out of the lineup so they'll need to find a way to keep the wins coming without him for the next 50 games. They were hoping to have Carlos Quentin back in the lineup as early as tonight, but it looks like that won't be happening.

Edinson Volquez will take the mound tonight in search of his third win in his last four starts. His last time out he threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs to the Reds. Though the Padres went on to win the game, Volquez didn't factor into the decision. The right-hander is 8-8 on the season, but 5-2 at Petco Park. He is 0-1 with a 6.43 all-time against the O's. While he continues to be one of the league's walk leaders, with 4.3 per nine innings on average, tonight he'll face one of the least walkable teams in Baltimore, who average just one walk every 15.8 PAs while getting struck out every 5.5.

The O's are coming off two straight losses against the Mariners. Tonight they'll hope for another brilliant outing out of their newest teammate, Bud Norris. They acquired Norris from the Astros last Wednesday and the next day he made his Orioles debut against those same Astros. He kept them to two runs on four hits in six innings of work while racking up a season-high eight strikeouts. The O's gave hims five runs of support that day, so he'll be looking for more of the same. However, Baltimore is coming off a game in which they went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile Padres pitching has kept opponents to three runs or less in 12 of their last 15 games.

Watch the interleague matchup tonight starting at 7:10.