Baltimore @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) Baltimore 0, Tampa Bay 8

The Tampa Bay Rays hope to get star left-hander Matt Moore back on course when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of a three-game series Sunday. Moore will be coming off the worst start of an otherwise stellar season as he tries to extend a pair of streaks for the Rays, who have won five in a row at home and five straight against the Orioles.

Baltimore managed just four hits in an 8-0 loss Saturday, its most lopsided setback of the season. Through the first two games of the series, the Orioles have produced only one run and six hits. They have scored four runs or fewer in six of the last seven games and now sit behind Tampa Bay in the congested American League East.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (5-2, 3.97 ERA) vs. Rays LH Matt Moore (8-1, 2.95)

Tillman's up-and-down campaign continued Tuesday, when he followed a poor start against Washington with seven outstanding frames versus Houston. The right-hander has won his last four road starts and owns a 2.30 ERA away from home. He is 1-5 with a 4.99 ERA in nine career appearances vs. Tampa Bay.

After a solid outing against the New York Yankees on May 25, Moore was 8-0 with a 2.21 ERA - however, he has since thrown just three innings in two starts. One outing was interrupted after one frame because of rain and then Moore lasted just two innings at Detroit, which got to him for six runs. The 23-year-old has already defeated Baltimore twice this year and owns a 2.34 ERA in seven career outings vs. the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays 3B Evan Longoria is 8-for-18 with three homers against Tillman.

2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis has 15 strikeouts in his last eight games.

3. Tampa Bay SS Yunel Escobar is 17-for-40 in his last 13 games.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Orioles 2