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Oct 2, 2010 - 3:34 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Detroit (80-78) at Baltimore (63-95), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles' play under manager Buck Showalter seems to bode well for their future. So does the turnaround by Brian Matusz.

The 23-year-old Matusz looks to win his sixth straight decision when he takes the mound against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Baltimore (65-95) swept a doubleheader Friday, 10-6 and 2-1, improving to 33-22 since Showalter made his debut Aug. 3 - the best record in the AL East over that span. Adam Jones had four RBIs in the first game and Jeremy Guthrie pitched eight scoreless innings in the nightcap.

It was the second doubleheader this week for the Tigers (80-80), who also got swept by Cleveland on Wednesday. They've lost five in a row overall, totaling 13 runs.

Baltimore's rotation has been particularly good in the last week, going 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA over the last five games. Chris Tillman gave up one run in seven innings Friday afternoon before Guthrie shut down the Tigers at night.

"That's what's going to have to happen for us to get where we want to go," Showalter said. "It (revolves) around pitching ... and making leads matter late in games. It's been impressive and we hope it carries over."

Matusz (9-12, 4.40 ERA) will try to carry his own strong performance over into October.

Matusz overcame a slow start to go 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA over his last 10 outings, nine of which Baltimore has won. The left-hander gave up three hits in seven innings of a 4-0 win over Tampa Bay on Monday.

"I think that's the best I've seen him throw," Nick Markakis told the Orioles' official website. "He was getting ahead of batters, getting the ball and getting right back on the mound throwing strikes ... It's pretty fun to watch when he's on a roll like that."

Matusz is making his second start against Detroit. He allowed one run in five innings of an 8-2 win last year.

The Tigers will counter with Armando Galarraga (4-8, 4.62), who looks to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Galarraga gave up five runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-3 defeat to Cleveland on Monday. He allowed three home runs and has an 11.20 ERA in his last three starts.

"Galarraga just made some pitches eventually that they just couldn't miss," manager Jim Leyland told the Tigers' official website. "The ball didn't really have much action on it. The velocity was OK, but there wasn't much action on the ball. And they just took advantage of it and hit them over the fence."

Galarraga is winless in his last seven starts, all losses for Detroit.

The right-hander doesn't have a decision in two starts against Baltimore this season, yielding six runs over 13 2-3 innings.

Luke Scott is 3 for 9 with two home runs off Galarraga.