Bud Norris named as Baltimore Orioles’ Game 3 starter

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter announced on Saturday that right-hander Bud Norris, who was slated to start a potential Game 4 of the American League Division Series will, instead, start Sunday’s Game 3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, replacing Miguel Gonzalez.

“It wasn’t really a change,” Showalter told MLB.com. “We gave [the media] the options we had. … [We took a] wait-and-see [approach on] how the first two games went, and that gives us an opportunity to bring Bud back [in relief] in Game 5. Once we found out the starting times [for Games 4 and 5] — we didn’t know that until after the game yesterday, we still don’t know completely, but we know [Game 4] won’t be after 1:37 [p.m. ET].”

Norris, who is in his second season as a member of the Orioles, went 15-8 in 28 starts this season, pitching to the tune of a 3.65 ERA and a 1.260 WHIP – his lowest mark of his big league career, which began in 2009 with the Houston Astros. He was noticeably better at Camden Yards this season, with an earned run average of 2.44 – over two runs better than his 4.80 ERA in 15 road starts – which could be a cause for concern as the series shifts to Detroit for Game 3.

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In the season’s final month, Norris was 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts for Baltimore, another factor that may be at play in moving his start up given the team has a chance to complete a sweep of the Detroit Tigers. That being said, the Tigers had Norris’ number in 2014, scoring nine runs in 12 2/3 innings he was on the mound.

Gonzalez, 30, pitched 159 innings in 2014 for Baltimore, during which opposing hitter tallied a .255 clip against him. According to the same MLB.com, the Orioles feel that the right-hander is the least-suited of all their arms to appear in relief, which factored into the decision to move Norris’ start up – thus opening him up for a potential relief appearance – if needed – should the series come down to the fifth, and final, game.