This game could be low scoring as Wei-Yin Chen (8-6, 3.17 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (63-67) go up against Chris Archer (11-10, 2.88 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (64-66) in the first of a three-game series at Camden Yards. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and will air on SUN and MASN.
In his last start, Chen pitched 6.2 innings, allowing three runs, striking out four and walking one in an 8-5 victory over the Royals. Chris Davis (.251, 73 Rs, 35 HRs, 92 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Rays were unsuccessful to the Twins 5-3 the last time Archer pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out 12 and walking one. Logan Forsythe (.277, 55 Rs, 15 HRs, 53 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Rays, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Baltimore is a slight underdog (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Orioles are 23-34 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -826. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (1-4). Baltimore has averaged 3.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.4. The Orioles rank fourth in the majors in home runs with 169. As for the Baltimore defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Orioles, who allow only 4.0 runs per game.
On the other side, the Rays have a record of 31-29 when they are favored and are -510 overall with the money line. Against teams in their division, they are 24-26 SU and 10-11 as the favorite. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.4 strikeouts per game.
The Orioles have mostly come out on top against the Rays in their previous 12 games this season, earning a 7-5 record. The Orioles will take on a right-hander (Archer) in this game and have a 46-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the left-hander Chen. They sport a 23-14 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Under
Notes
In their last game, the Rays won by a margin of one run. The Orioles are 17-24 in one-run games. The Rays have a 23-23 record in close games.
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.
Ranking 17th in home runs, Tampa Bay has hit 122 this season. Baltimore ranks fourth with 169 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.30 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.58.
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.
