Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 18, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 6, Baltimore 10

The Tampa Bay Rays were riding high during a six-game winning streak, but back-to-back losses have exposed some flaws. The Baltimore Orioles will be looking to take advantage when they host the Rays in the opener of a three-game series on Friday. Tampa Bay lost ace David Price to a triceps strain in Wednesday’s loss and witnessed the dissolution of Fernando Rodney’s command in a blown save on Thursday.

The Orioles are patching holes in their rotation as well and were swept in a two-game series by the San Diego Padres this week. Baltimore placed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain on Tuesday and Miguel Gonzalez is on the DL as well. The back of the bullpen has been a strength for the Orioles with closer Jim Johnson, who suffered his first blown save of the season on Tuesday but still owns a 1.80 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Rodney, who issued a total of 15 walks in 74 2/3 total innings last season, matched that number already after his four-walk performance on Thursday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 5.25 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (5-1, 4.93)

Hellickson is 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four starts and is coming off his worst turn of the bunch, when he was reached for six runs in 6 2/3 innings against San Diego. He gave up five runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings against Baltimore on April 3 but did not factor in the decision. Hellickson is 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) against the division rivals.

Hammel has been bailed out by his offense a few times this season but could not last long enough to earn the win last time out. The right-hander surrendered a season-high six runs and eight hits in four innings at Minnesota, but the Orioles went on to grab a 9-6 win. Hammel, who came up with the Rays, allowed three runs in six innings to earn a win over his original franchise on April 2.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gonzalez (blister) is scheduled to pitch a simulated game for the Orioles on Friday and could make his return to the rotation next week.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria has hit in 10 straight games.

3. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado is 14-for-25 over the last five games.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 5