Baltimore @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2013 ) Baltimore 1, Tampa Bay 2

The Tampa Bay Rays look to extend their winning streak against the Baltimore Orioles to five games when the American League East foes meet Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays increased their run against the Orioles with a 2-1 triumph in the series opener Friday. Desmond Jennings delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to support starter Chris Archer.

Tampa Bay pulled to within a half-game of third-place Baltimore in the vaunted AL East, which is the only division in baseball with four teams above .500. Each of those teams are six games above that mark. The Orioles, who give the ball to rookie Kevin Gausman, have allowed two runs or less in four of their last five games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (0-2, 7.20 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (3-2, 5.59)

The highly touted Gausman was given a rude introduction to the majors with some rough road starts before establishing himself at home against the powerful Detroit Tigers on Sunday. He yielded one run in six innings in Baltimore's 4-2 win in that contest. Gausman struck out four and did not walk a batter for the first time in the big leagues. The 22-year-old has surrendered five homers in 15 innings since his promotion.

The Rays have won both of Hellickson's starts against Baltimore this season, despite the fact that he has given up 13 runs in 14 innings. Hellickson is 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA versus the Orioles in his career. While the righty has struggled at times in 2013, he has 23 strikeouts against only four walks in his last five starts and has not lost since April 25.

WALK-OFFS

1. The all-time series is tied 134-134.

2. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado had an RBI single to account for his team's only run Friday. He is hitting .353 on the road.

3. Opponents are hitting .362 with runners in scoring position against Hellickson and .478 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Orioles 4