Miguel Gonzalez (2-1, 3.42 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (10-11) meet Chris Archer (3-2, 0.84 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (13-10) in the second of a three-game division series at Tropicana Field. The Rays won the last game 2-0 and Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and will air on SunSports and MASN2.
Gonzalez has a 3.82 ERA and a 4-4 record in his career against the Rays, and faces a struggling Tampa Bay offense that’s hitting just .234 on the year. Jimmy Paredes (.372, 10 Rs, 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the Orioles, Archer is 1-3 with a 5.58 ERA. He meets a strong Baltimore offense that’s batting .279.
Baltimore, a +106 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Tampa Bay. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at seven runs. The Orioles are in an interesting position this season. While it has a notable overall money line (+17), its record as underdog (3-6) is less impressive. They have an SU record of 9-10 against teams in their division and a 3-6 record when they were the underdog in those games. The Orioles come into the game with the AL’s top ranked home scoring offense, averaging 7.1 runs per game in their own ballpark. Turning to the pitching staff, the Orioles don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fourth in the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Rays come into this game with a win percentage of .556 when playing as the favorite (5-4) and an overall money line of +274. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 6-4 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 4-1 record. The Rays average 3.6 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 2.8 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 3.9. They have a WHIP of 1.10, second best in the MLB.
This game will feature Archer (RHP) on the mound against the Orioles, who have an 8-8 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the right-hander Gonzalez. They sport a 9-7 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Baltimore Orioles, the Rays now have three shutouts this season. The Orioles have been shut out in two games this season.
When the Orioles play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Rays are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Orioles have a 0-2 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 9-3. The Rays have a 10-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 89 this season. Baltimore ranks fourth with 112 runs.
Ranking 23rd, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 56 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top five at fourth with 81.
When the Orioles hit at least one home run, they are 10-7, well-matched with the Rays who are 7-6 when hitting one or more homers.
