The Tampa Bay Rays (29-8) are on the road to face the Baltimore Orioles (23-13) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Orioles evened up the series 1-1 after winning 4-2 on Tuesday. Grayson Rodriguez went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, to get the win, and Felix Bautista pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his eighth save.
Adley Rutschman went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Taylor Walls was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Rays.
ON THE MOUND
Jalen Beeks (1-2, 6.75 ERA) is set to start for Tampa Bay. The LHP threw 0.1 scoreless innings in relief in his last appearance, an 8-7 road win over the Yankees on Sunday. He was credited with the win, striking out one.
Beeks is making his first appearance against the Orioles this season. Over three appearances (one starts) against the Orioles in 2022, Beeks was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 4.2 innings. He had six strikeouts and two walks.
For Baltimore, right-hander Dean Kremer (3-1, 5.80 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. Kremer made two appearances against the Rays in 2022, both starts, striking out seven and walking one over 10 innings (0-0, 2.70).
In his last start on Friday, Kremer got the win on the road against the Braves. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 9-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.2, while performing worse across the board (.252/.326/.454). Against right-handed pitchers like Kremer this season, the Rays have an .847 OPS, highest in the league.
Yandy Diaz is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.097 OPS in 98 at-bats. Baltimore is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.3 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.220/.281/.356).
The O’s have ann .806 OPS against southpaws in 2023, fourth highest in MLB. With a 1.018 OPS over 55 at-bats, Ryan Mountcastle has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 10-5 in away games in 2023, scoring 6.5 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Baltimore has gone 10-5 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Baltimore is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an average scoreline of 3.7-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by five games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
