Chris Archer (0-4, 7.32 ERA) and Kevin Gausman (0-0, 0.00 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (8-10) and the Baltimore Orioles (11-6) at Tropicana Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 25 and can be seen on MASN and SUN.
Archer pitched 4.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs, striking out six and walking three in a 7-3 defeat to the Red Sox. Steven Souza Jr. (.291, 8 Rs, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. Mark Trumbo (.373, 12 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for Tampa Bay and Baltimore are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Tampa Bay has a record of 6-2 SU. The Rays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Rays are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.3 walks per game so far this season.
The Orioles are 5-7 against AL East foes. Offensively, the Orioles have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Orioles have a dynamic offense, leading the league with zero extra base hits. The Orioles allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the Orioles have the fourth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.3 walks allowed per game.
The Orioles have the edge in the season series, 2-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 57% (4-3) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Baltimore has won 67% (6-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Orioles are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have a 3-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 5-1. The Orioles have an 8-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 65 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 with 81.
Ranking 30th, Tampa Bay is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 44 this season. Baltimore ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 55.
The Rays are 7-6 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Orioles are 8-5 when they hit at least one homer.
