Hot L Baltimore

The Yankees start a 3-game series with the Orioles tonight in Camden Yards. It will be interesting to see if there's any carry over from last month's action at Yankee Stadium when Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera hit Alex Rodriguez, and the next night Edwar Ramirez threw at Kevin Millar.

The Orioles will also be looking for the franchise's 100 millionth fan this weekend. Recently the O's awarded $50,000 and other prizes to the 50 millionth fan to attend a game at Camden Yards.

Mike Mussina (16-7, 3.35) looks to keep the magic going tonight against his former team. (USA Today had a feature on Moose today.) He'll be opposed by rookie right-hander Radhames Liz (4-3, 7.47). Liz made 2 relief appearances against the Yankees last season, allowing a run in 4.1 innings pitched. The rookie has struggled in his first season as a starter in the bigs. He's walked more hitters than he has struck out (33/32) and allowed more hits than innings pitched. Of course, the Yankees may be just what the doctor ordered.

Saturday night, of course, brings the return of Carl Pavano. He'll go against Jeremy Guthrie, who beat the Yankees on July 23 and is 2-1, 3.90 in six career appearances, five of which were starts.

Darrell Rasner (5-9, 4.93) goes in the finale Sunday afternoon against Daniel Cabrera (8-8, 4.98). Cabrera beat the Yankees on July 29 and is 6-6, 4.56 in 16 career starts against the Yankees.

Remarkably, Baltimore is just 5.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings.