Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Apr 16, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 4, Baltimore 5
The Tampa Bay Rays have relied on left-hander Matt Moore to be their stopper, and they need another big outing from the 23-year-old when they continue a three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. The Rays have dropped seven of their last eight games and are in last place in the American League East after a 5-4 loss in Tuesday's series opener.
The Orioles have handed Tampa Bay three losses in four meetings already this season, and the back end of Baltimore's bullpen did its job again Tuesday. The Orioles have won 97 consecutive regular-season games when leading after seven innings. The Rays' offense has to take most of the blame for the recent struggles, though the bats began to come to life with three home runs Tuesday. Tampa Bay had only five in its previous 12 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (0-0, 7.00)
Moore has yet to allow a run in two starts, and he's given up only three hits in 11 1/3 innings. He struggled with his command last time out, walking six in 5 1/3 innings, but still managed to earn the win as the Rays beat Texas 2-0. Moore is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA in five games (four starts) against Baltimore.
After getting roughed up by the Twins in his season debut, Tillman was much better last time out while holding the Red Sox to two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. His pitch counts have been high because he has struggled to find the strike zone. In seven starts against Tampa Bay, Tillman is 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA, and he split two starts against the Rays a year ago.
WALK-OFFS
1. Moore has not allowed a run in 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts, dating to last season.
2. Orioles C Matt Wieters, who hit his second home run of the season Tuesday, is 5-for-8 with two homers against Moore.
3. Rays 3B Evan Longoria is 6-for-12 with three home runs against Tillman.
PREDICTION: Rays 3, Orioles 1