(From the My Sportsbook - All Times Eastern)

PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS

May 17, 8:10 p.m. - Sidney Ponson (5-1) vs. Jose Lima (0-3)

May 18, 8:10 p.m. - Bruce Chen (4-2) vs. D.J. Carrasco (0-3)

May 19, 2:10 p.m. - Rodrigo Lopez (3-2) vs. Runelvys Hernandez (2-5)

2005 SEASON SERIES: Baltimore leads, 2-1

BALTIMORE (24-13)

Ponson is 9-5 lifetime against the Royals with a 3.34 ERA in 15 career appearances, and owns a 4-2 lifetime record at Kauffman Stadium. He has not lost a game since April 14, a 12-7 setback to the Devil Rays.

Rafael Palmeiro has hit 578 career doubles, tying him with Wade Boggs for 14th on the all-time list.

With starting outfielders Luis Matos and Sammy Sosa on the disabled list, the Orioles called up Jeff Fiorentino from Single-A Frederick on Wednesday. Fiorentino finished 6-for-10 and scored three runs, in three games against the White Sox.

Brian Roberts continues to thrill at the plate as he enters the series with a .382 batting average, ranking him second in the American League. He also has 10 home runs, 32 RBI, and leads the team in stolen bases with 13.

Baltimore won two out of three games during their first series with the Royals that was played May 6-8.

KANSAS CITY (11-27)

Lima will try for his first win of the season on Tuesday night. He is 1-1 lifetime with a 4.96 ERA in five career appearances against the Orioles, and has pitched well at Kauffman Stadium sporting a 5-3 career record with a 4.72 ERA in 19 appearances (15 starts).

Kansas City improved is 3-2 since Bob Schaefer took over as interim manager for Tony Pena.

Of the Royals last 18 losses, 13 have been by two runs or less including nine one run losses. Kansas City is 0-25 when scoring five runs or less.

Mike Sweeney has missed the last four games for the Royals due to a sore right oblique, but continues to lead the Royals in batting average (.328), home runs (9) and RBI (29).

The Royals own the worst record in the American League.