Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2016 ) Tampa Bay 0, Baltimore 5
The American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles look to build off a series-opening victory when they host the struggling Tampa Bay Rays in a split doubleheader on Saturday. The Orioles rallied from a three-run deficit Friday with a two-run single by Chris Davis and solo homers from Adam Jones and Manny Machado to record a 6-3 triumph.
Jones has hit safely in five straight games while batting in the leadoff spot and Davis is 8-for-20 with four RBIs in the last five contests for Baltimore, which has won four of its last six contests. The Rays have lost a season-high eight straight games and will look to Corey Dickerson to add offense after going 4-for-10 with a homer, three RBIs and three walks in the last three contests. Tampa Bay has dropped into the cellar in the AL East, 10 ½ games behind the Orioles, and has managed 18 runs during their losing streak. Evan Longoria boasts nine homers in June and has had plenty of success against Baltimore with 30 blasts in 131 encounters.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.63 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (10-1, 3.11)
Odorizzi allowed one run and four hits with eight strikeouts and no walks over six innings last time out against San Francisco, but was left out the decision in a 5-1 loss. The 26-year-old is 3-1 in his last four decisions and has yielded two or fewer runs in 10 of 15 starts overall. Manny Machado is 7-for-22 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 2-3 (0-1 in two starts this year) with a 4.64 ERA lifetime against Baltimore.
Tillman gave up one run in 11 2/3 innings to win both starts against the Rays in April and is 7-9 lifetime versus Tampa Bay with a 3.98 ERA in 22 games. The 28-year-old has not lost since April 14 – a span of 12 contests – also permitting two or fewer runs in 10 of 15 outings. Longoria (17-for-54, seven homers) and Logan Forsythe (8-for-25) have caused problems for Tillman, who boasts 86 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 2B Jonathan Schoop has hit safely in six straight games, going 12-for-25 in that span.
2. Tampa Bay acquired OF Oswaldo Arcia from Minnesota on Thursday and he is expected to be available for the Rays on Saturday.
3. Orioles LHP Zach Britton is 22-for-22 in save opportunities this season and boasts 37 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.
PREDICTION: Rays 3, Orioles 2