The big news from Baltimore is that the Orioles have just sent 35-year-old catcher-turned-DH Javy Lopez and cash to the Red Sox for a player to be named later. That’s obviously bigger news in Boston (though Lopez is hitting just .265/.314/.412, most of that coming in May), but it will certainly have an effect on this weekend’s series in Camden Yards as Lopez had done particularly well against the Yankees in the teams’ two prior meetings, going 9 for 25 with a pair of home runs.

Still, even with Lopez the Orioles had managed just two wins in six tries against the Yankees in April and June. With the way the two teams are playing right now and the way their starters have lined up over the weekend, the Yankees really should be going for a sweep here. The O’s are 9-11 since the All-Star break and two for their last six. The Yankees, are 14-5 since the break and have won eight of their last nine. Tonight the Yankees have a chance to tie their longest winning streak of the year at five games (they’ve done it three times already, but never reached six). They’ll send Randy Johnson to the mound to get it done.

In his last turn at home against Tampa Bay, Johnson had absolutley nothing, snapping a streak of four quality starts with a dreadful, strike-out free 3 1/3 innings in which he allowed nine runs on six hits and three walks. During his warm up session in the bullpen before that game Johnson was seen taking long pauses with his hands on his knees between pitches, but after the game he refused to discuss the matter.

Johnson’s opponent tonight will be Bruce Chen, who, despite his 7.07 ERA and an 0-6 record, but has been thrust back into the rotation by Kris Benson’s elbow tendonitis. In his first start back in the rotation, he faced the White Sox and allowed four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. The Yankees last faced Chen in April, driving him from the game after four innings on their way to a 7-1 win.

Baltimore Orioles

2006 Record: 49-60 (.450)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 46.5-62.5 (.427)

Manager: Sam Perlozzo
General Manager: Mike Flanagan

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Oriole Park at Camden Yards (94/95)

Who’s Replaced Whom?

• Chris Widger replaced Javy Lopez
• Chris Gomez (DL) replaced Raul Chavez
• Fernando Tatis (minors) replaced Luis Matos
• Russ Ortiz replaced John Halama
• Tim Byrdak (DL) replaced LaTroy Hawkins (bereavement list)
• Julio Manon (minors) replaced Kurt Birkins (DL)
• Winston Abreu (minors) replaced Sendy Rleal (minors)

Current Roster

1B – Kevin Millar (R)
2B – Brian Roberts (S)
SS – Miguel Tejada (R)
3B – Melvin Mora (R)
C – Ramon Hernandez (R)
RF – Nick Markakis (L)
CF – Corey Patterson (L)
LF – Jeff Conine (R)
DH – Jay Gibbons (L)

Bench:

L – Brandon Fahey (IF)
R – Chris Gomez (IF)
R – Fernando Tatis (IF)
R – Chris Widger (C)

Rotation:

R – Rodrigo Lopez
L – Erik Bedard
L – Bruce Chen
R – Kris Benson
L – Adam Loewen

Bullpen:

R – Chris Ray
R – Todd Williams
R – Chris Britton
L – Tim Byrdak
R – Julio Manon
R – Russ Ortiz
R – Winston Abreu

Bereavement List: R – LaTroy Hawkins
15-day DL: L – Kurt Birkins, L – John Parrish
60-day DL: R – Aaron Rakers, , UT – David Newhan (L)

Typical Lineup

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
R – Miguel Tejada (SS)
L – Jay Gibbons (DH)
R – Jeff Conine (LF)
L – Corey Patterson (CF)
R – Kevin Millar (1B)
R – Ramon Hernandez (C)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)