Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 6, Baltimore 2
One win has dramatically altered the outlook for the Tampa Bay Rays, who went from a four-game losing streak to an opportunity to claim their first series win on the road when they wrap up a three-game set Thursday at Baltimore. The Rays snapped their four-game skid with a 6-2 victory Wednesday and have a chance to even the season series with the Orioles at three games apiece.
Baltimore is trying to claim its first series victory at home in 2013 after dropping two of three to Minnesota in its first home set. The Orioles managed only five hits in Wednesday's loss, and both runs came on an Adam Jones' home run. The Rays' bats have awakened during the series as they've belted five home runs in the past two games after hitting five in the previous 12 contests.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (0-1, 5.82 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (1-1, 2.92)
The reigning Cy Young Award winner, Price has gotten off to a rocky start, but showed signs of turning the corner in a no-decision against Boston last time out. He struck out eight and held the Red Sox to one run on four hits over six innings. Price is 6-2 with a 2.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Orioles, including a 3-0 mark and a 2.54 ERA in six outings at Camden Yards. He made a quality start against Baltimore on Opening Day (two runs in six innings) but didn't get a decision in a 7-4 loss.
Gonzalez has turned in quality starts in his first two outings, but he was not at his sharpest last time out against the Yankees. He walked five and was hurt by a key error behind him, allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings and taking the loss. In five starts against the Rays, Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA. He limited Tampa Bay to two runs over 6 1/3 innings to earn the win April 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Price has allowed four home runs — and at least one in each of his three starts — after surrendering only 16 in 31 starts last season.
2. Orioles C Matt Wieters is 9-for-29 against Price and is the only Baltimore player with a homer against him.
3. Rays SS Yunel Escobar snapped an 0-for-13 skid Wednesday with an RBI single, raising his average to .104. Escobar is 2-for-8 against Gonzalez.
PREDICTION: Rays 4, Orioles 1