Tampa Bay @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2014 ) Baltimore 2, Tampa Bay 0

The Baltimore Orioles look to continue their dominance over the Tampa Bay Rays this season when they begin a four-game home series Friday with a split doubleheader. The Orioles have won seven of eight games while belting 10 homers against the Rays in 2014, including two victories in Baltimore by a combined score of 10-1 in April. While Tampa Bay owns the worst record in baseball, Baltimore has won six of its last eight and trails Toronto by only 1 ½ games in the American League East.

The Orioles have had their way against the Rays despite sluggers Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis going only 10-for-49 with eight RBIs combined, while holding Tampa Bay to one run or fewer four times. The Rays are 8-6 in their last 14 contests, but begin an 11-game road trip as trade rumors surround the team. James Loney has been Tampa Bay’s most consistent hitter all season and is 11-for-25 over his last six games.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET; MLB Network, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Colome (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-1, 2.74)

Colome, who gave up two runs over four innings in relief at Toronto on May 26, is expected to be recalled as the 26th man for the doubleheader. The Dominican Republic native was suspended for 50 games to start the minor-league season after failing a random drug test and went 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Durham. Colome was 1-1 in three starts for the Rays in 2013 with a 2.25 ERA.

Gausman is also slated to be called up as the 26th man to make the start and attempts to extend his winning streak to four games. The 23-year-old LSU product pitched six scoreless innings to beat Tampa Bay in his last outing on June 18 before being sent back to the minors. Yunel Escobar is 4-for-5 against Gausman, who is 1-1 in three games (two starts) with a 6.35 ERA overall versus the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore OF Steve Pearce is 8-for-18 with three homers and three doubles against the Rays this season.

2. Tampa Bay OF Brandon Guyer has 14 hits in 36 at-bats over his last nine games to raise his average from .196 to .276.

3. Orioles 3B Manny Machado awaits a decision -- perhaps this weekend -- on his appeal of a five-game suspension for a bat-throwing incident June 8.

PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Rays 2