Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 12, Baltimore 10
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to put their vastly improved offense on display, but they are finding ways to make it difficult on themselves. The Rays, who almost gave away an eight-run lead Friday in a 12-10 win, visit the Baltimore Orioles in the second contest of their three-game series on Saturday. Tampa Bay is averaging 5.6 runs over the last 28 games. James Loney leads the American League with a .371 batting average, while Evan Longoria has collected 27 RBIs for the Rays, who have struggled on the mound.
Tampa Bay led the majors in ERA last season at 3.19 but has dropped to 4.38 through the first quarter of 2013. The Orioles have helped raise that mark with 47 runs against the Rays this season. Chris Davis has done a lot of that damage, going 12-for-25 with 14 RBIs in seven games. The Orioles have lost three straight and four of five.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (2-4, 4.43 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jair Jurrjens (NR)
Hernandez has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, winning twice. The veteran right-hander yielded two runs on five hits in six innings to beat San Diego on Sunday. Hernandez has recorded 41 strikeouts and 13 walks in 42 2/3 frames, and right-handed hitters are batting .206 against him. He is 4-6 lifetime against the Orioles with a 5.46 ERA in 12 games (10 starts).
Jurrjens will be the 10th starter for the Orioles this season after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. The right-hander, who went 3-4 with the Atlanta Braves in 2012, had a 3.14 ERA and won four of five decisions in eight starts at Norfolk. Jurrjens has a 3.62 lifetime ERA and a 53-37 record in six major league seasons. He has never faced Tampa Bay, but Loney is 6-for-19 against the veteran.
WALK-OFFS
1. Longoria enters with an 11-game hitting streak during which he is 18-for-43 with three home runs and 12 RBIs.
2. The Orioles have hit 50 home runs - 19 that have put them ahead and five which have tied the game.
3. The teams have combined for 90 runs in seven meetings in 2013, four of which were won by Baltimore.
PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Rays 4