The Orioles are superior to the Cubs and have a highly favorable situation spot in this matchup. Baltimore's 31-13 record is the best mark in the majors since June 30.

Baltimore was idle on Thursday after just finishing a three-game series against the White Sox. So the Orioles already are in Chicago. They are a fresh team. This isn't the case with the Cubs.

Chicago had to finish a suspended game on Thursday against the Giants and then play another game against San Francisco. So the Cubs basically had to play 1 1/2 games. Chicago's bullpen has fatigue and the team is without shortstop Starlin Castro, who is on the bereavement list.

The Orioles are familiar with Cubs starter Jake Arietta, who was never as consistent when he pitched for Baltimore. Arietta has been excellent this season going 6-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 19 starts, but Baltimore leads the majors in homers and is sixth in batting average.

Orioles starter Kevin Gausman is starting to live up to his high ceiling. He's 3-1 with a 3.23 ERA in his last five starts. No team has scored more than three runs against him during this span.