Chris Tillman (9-9, 4.58 ERA) and Drew Smyly (1-2, 3.82 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (63-67) and the Tampa Bay Rays (64-66) at Camden Yards. The Rays won the last game 6-3 and Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 1 and can be seen on SUN, MASN and MLBN.
Tillman pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out one and walking one in a 5-3 defeat to the Royals. Manny Machado (.290, 79 Rs, 26 HRs, 66 RBIs, 16 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run. Smyly went 4.1 innings, surrendering three runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking two in a 5-4 defeat to the Twins in his most recent start. Logan Forsythe (.281, 57 Rs, 15 HRs, 53 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Rays, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs.
Baltimore is a -130 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Orioles have an overall money line of -926 and a record as the favorite of 40-32. Baltimore has gone winless in its last 10 as the favorite. The Orioles have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.8 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.3 runs per game. The Orioles are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 169. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Orioles. The 4.0 runs that Baltimore’s pitchers allow per game makes them the fifth-ranked staff in the AL.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 33-37 record and an overall money line of -510. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 3-1 record, and a 5-5 record SU. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.4 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Orioles lead the season series, 7-6. The Orioles have a 17-16 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Smyly takes the mound. Tillman (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 41-52 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Under
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Tampa Bay, the Orioles now have nine shutouts this season. The Rays have been shut out in nine games this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Orioles are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 10-48. The Rays have a 13-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half of the league at 17th when it comes to home runs, hitting 122 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 169.
Ranking 13th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.28 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.54.
Ranking 21st, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.705). Baltimore ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .727.
The Rays are 30-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Orioles are 36-47 when they allow at least one homer.
