If the Orioles want to regain the positive momentum that carried them through the first month of the season, they’ll need to convert more scoring opportunities and cut down on base-running mistakes.

Daniel Cabrera will get the start tonight against the Kansas City Royals. The 26-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in six career starts against Kansas City. Cabrera has lasted at least six innings in six of his seven starts this season. The Orioles will be looking for another solid outing from the 6-foot-9 starter tonight.

The Royals lost the first two games of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels before winning the series finale, 9-4. Kansas City enters the four-game series against the Orioles in fourth place in the AL Central with a 15-18 record.

Although the Orioles haven’t been lighting up the scoreboard, the Royals have been even worse in 2008. The Royals are currently ranked last in the American League in runs scored (119). They have only scored six or more runs in six of their 33 games. Only three of those games resulted in wins.

By comparison, the Orioles are 9-0 when scoring six or more runs. Neither team has scored 10 or more runs in a game this season.

Pitching matchups

Thursday 5/8: Daniel Cabrera (2-1, 4.06) vs. Luke Hochevar (2-1, 4.86)
Friday 5/9: Steve Trachsel (1-4, 7.43) vs. Gil Meche (2-4, 5.98)
Saturday 5/10: Garrett Olson (1-0, 2.08) vs. Brett Tomko (1-3, 4.98)
Sunday 5/11: Brian Burres (3-3, 3.19) vs. Brian Bannister (3-4, 4.46)

Who you should play from the Royals

Alex Gordon, 3B – With a team that is ranked last in the league in runs, it’s hard to find a valuable fantasy player. Gordon is the team’s best fantasy prospect at this point in the season. He is hitting .280 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. He also has two stolen bases and 18 runs scored. It should be noted that Gordon was only 1-for-17 against the Orioles last season, so keep that in mind when planning out your roster this weekend.

Who you should bench from the Royals

Jose Guillen, OF – Guillen has hit three home runs and contributed 15 RBIs, but he’s really hurting fantasy owners with his .185 batting average. He was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored against the Angels yesterday. This could potentially be the spark that he needs to bring his batting average closer to normal, but for now he should be riding your bench if you have better outfielders.

Who you should play from the Orioles

Daniel Cabrera, RHP – Has he turned the corner? It’s still too early to tell, but I have enough confidence to start him against Kansas City. If he’s available in your league, pick him up and start him tonight. The Orioles have lost five straight games and they need someone to step up and put an end to the losing streak. As I stated above, Cabrera has never lost to the Royals and their offense is struggling worse than the Orioles right now. As long as the Orioles can score a few runs, he should get another win tonight.

Who you should bench from the Orioles

Brian Roberts, 2B – Roberts is 4-for-23 in the last six games. He’s still one of the best second basemen in fantasy baseball. However, I noted him in this category because he’s not hitting as well as normal. Also, Roberts has scored only one run in May and hasn’t had a stolen base since April 28. Keep him in your lineup, but find the proper mix of players to complement him on your team.