Baltimore @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 19, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 3, Baltimore 1

The Baltimore Orioles are among the league leaders in road victories with 19 as they prepare for a key trip to the Sunshine State. The Orioles, who have won six of eight overall, visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday to start a three-game series. Chris Davis belted three homers and knocked in 11 runs for the Orioles as they took two of three at Tampa Bay to open the season. He comes in with 10 hits in 26 at-bats over the last six games.

The Rays begin a 10-game homestand after winning eight of their last 11 contests with balanced offense. Kelly Johnson and Evan Longoria have a team-best 35 RBIs, followed closely by Ben Zobrist (33) and James Loney (32). Tampa Bay recorded a 5-4 edge in nine games against Baltimore in 2013, winning the last three.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (7-3, 5.43 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (0-1, 11.25)

Hammel will attempt to improve to 7-0 on the road this season and win for the second time at Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed three runs in six innings on Opening Day against the Rays and was touched up for a season-high seven runs in 4 2/3 innings in a loss May 17 at Baltimore. Hammel, who pitched for the Rays from 2006-08, has allowed 11 homers in 68 innings in 2013.

Archer was knocked around by Cleveland in his 2013 debut, allowing five runs and seven hits in four innings on Saturday. The 24-year-old surrendered one run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings of relief against Baltimore last September, taking the loss in a 14-inning contest. Archer struck out 36 in 29 1/3 innings last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay has scored 30 runs in the ninth inning, second behind major league-leading Boston (31).

2. Baltimore RHP Tommy Hunter is 3-0 with a save and a 0.95 ERA over 28 1/3 innings since April 12.

3. Loney is 10-for-33 with three homers and nine RBIs in his career against Hammel.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 3