Kevin Gausman (2-6, 4.39 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (63-69) meet Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.68 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (66-66) in the last of a three-game division series at Camden Yards. The Orioles lost the last game 11-2, extending a six-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 2 and will air on SUN and MASN.
In his last start, Gausman pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs, striking out three and walking one in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers. Chris Davis (.249, 74 Rs, 36 HRs, 94 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Rays were also unsuccessful the last time Ramirez pitched. He tossed 4.1 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned), striking out four and walking three in a 3-2 loss to the Royals. Logan Forsythe (.286, 59 Rs, 15 HRs, 53 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Rays, going 3 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
Baltimore is a -140 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Orioles are 40-32 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,026. They have struggled as the favorite over their last 10 games, going 0-3. Baltimore has averaged 2.8 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.3. The Orioles are a power hitting team with 170 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Whenever an AL East opponent shows up on the calendar, the Orioles seem to struggle with pitching. They allow an average of 4.0 runs per game, but allow 4.5 against teams from their own division.
Moving on to the away team, the Rays come into this game with a win percentage of .471 when playing as the underdog (33-37) and an overall money line of -410. Against teams in their division, they are 25-26 SU and 14-15 as the underdog. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.4 strikeouts per game.
The Orioles will take on a right-hander (Ramirez) in this game and have a 46-52 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Gausman will take the mound against the Rays, who have a 41-52 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, O/U – Under
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 50% (27-27) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Baltimore has won 53% (24-21) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 11 runs. The Orioles have a 0-4 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 10-50. The Rays have a 13-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half of the league at 16th when it comes to home runs, hitting 126 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 170.
Ranking 13th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.29 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.53.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.710). Baltimore ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .725.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 31-49. When the Orioles allow one or more homers, they have a 36-49 record.
