In the second of a three-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (4-0) and the Tampa Bay Rays (2-3) at Camden Yards, Mike Wright (3-5, 6.04 ERA) and Drew Smyly (0-1, 6.75 ERA) get the start. The Orioles won the last game 6-1, and Baltimore leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 9 and will air on MAS2 and SUN.
Wright takes the hill after pitching 44.2 innings last year, wrapping up the season with a 3-5 record, 6.04 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts. Chris Davis (.231 ) went 1 for 2 yesterday with three runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Rays were unsuccessful the last time Smyly pitched. He struggled, going 6.2 innings, giving up five runs, striking out five and walking one in a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Steven Souza Jr. (.389 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Orioles, who allow an AL-low 0.0 runs per game. The Orioles don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fourth in the league with a 0.972 WHIP.
Against divisional opponents, the Rays are 1-0 SU. The Rays are known for their power, smashing seven home runs. Switching gears to Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 6.0 strikeouts per road game.
So far this season, the Orioles are 1-0 against the Rays.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL
Notes
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Orioles have a 2-0 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 1-1. The Orioles have a 3-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 15 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top half with 17.
Ranking 25th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching nine this season. Baltimore ranks in the top half at 13th with 13.
The Orioles are 3-0 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rays are 2-3 when they hit at least one homer.
