Zach Britton, 2012 Topps Heritage #19

Jason Hammel caught a nasty virus from his kid, and it's thrown the Orioles' starting rotation all out of whack for this week's series in Detroit. Last night, the O's took the path of least resistance and handed the ball to the confoundingly hittable Jake Arrieta, on the basis that he 1) was rested; b) had minor league options; and iii) was already on the 40-man roster. That's how far Jake has fallen. After he predictably failed (5 R, 10 H in 4.2 IP), he was on a plane back to Norfolk before most of the team was done showering. No fuss, no muss.

Tonight, the team's second consecutive spot start goes to another wayward young pitcher, Zach Britton. Though healthier than he was in 2012, when he made only 12 appearances for the Birds with a 5.07 ERA, Zach has spent all of the current season (other than one rocky start in Seattle) in AAA. The prospect of the 25-year-old lefty facing the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder in hostile territory isn't nearly as terrifying to me as the thought of Arrieta doing the same. Britton has a 3.28 ERA with the Tides this year, and has allowed only a pair of home runs in 60.1 innings. He's been even better as of late. Still, with Justin Verlander starting for the Tigers, the odds are lopsided. For my part, I'd just like some sign that the Orioles have legitimate pitching depth, instead of "plenty of guys who suck and a few who are usually okay".

UPDATE: Zach pitched into the sixth inning and left with a 5-1 lead thanks to home runs from J. J. Hardy and Adam Jones. That'll play.