Kansas City at Baltimore

Both of these teams have playoffs aspirations, and continue to be amidst a crowded pack of AL teams hovering around the .500 mark. Today they will be seeking separation. Right now the Orioles have a sizzling bat in the middle of the order in Nelson Cruz, who was a one-man wrecking crew in their three game series vs. Toronto. Cruz hit 3 HRs and drove in 10 runs. Baltimore will go with Ubaldo Jimenez, who hasn't pitched well, but owns solid numbers vs. the Royals at 4-2 and a 3.53 ERA. Kansas City has just 9 home runs on the season, and in a ballpark designed for the long ball, they are holding the short straw here. And their 3-9 mark against a right-handed starter in their last 12 won't help. Take Baltimore.