After grinding out two full games of rain-laced baseball versus the Red Sox, the Orioles will now turn their attention to their upcoming four-game set against the Rays before heading to the Bronx.
The Orioles (29-73) will look to hit the road on a high note over the latter part of the week, and will be looking to improve upon their 6-14 record this month. However, the Rays are hitting their stride again as they head into Birdland.
The Rays (52-50) put forth an impressive effort en route to taking two of three from the red-hot Yankees in Tampa and now own a solid 11-9 record this month. They’ve also quietly posted an outstanding 18-10 record over their last 28 contests.
Alex Cobb (2-13, 6.17 ERA) will take on Hunter Wood (0-0, 2.93 ERA) during his clash with some former teammates tonight.
Cobb was solid during his last start in Toronto, but took the loss despite allowing just a single run over five innings of work. He’s now allowed just three runs over his last eleven innings pitched during his last two starts combined, but doesn’t have a win to show for it.
Wood will be making his third start of the season in tonight’s series opener. He’s posted an impressive 2.93 ERA over 15 1/3 innings pitched this season while striking out 14 in the process.
Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.40 ERA) will go up against Chris Archer (3-4, 4.30 ERA) on Friday.
Cashner’s luck is still nonexistent going into his match-up with the Rays. He allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings during his last outing in Toronto, but still ended up in the no-decision column. Cashner now owns an impressive 3.38 ERA over 40 innings pitched through his last seven starts and has posted six quality starts over his last nine contests. He still doesn’t have a win over either span to show for his excellent run of form.
Archer took the no-decision after allowing three runs over six innings versus Miami, but has been in fine form for the Rays as of late. He owns a stellar 2.41 ERA over 37 1/3 innings pitched during his last seven outings.
The Rays still haven’t named a starter to take on Kevin Gausman (4-8, 4.54 ERA) for Saturday’s contest.
Gausman was his own worst enemy during his last start against the Red Sox and allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings en route to his eighth loss of the season. He’ll be looking to snap back into form after posting a 5.96 ERA over 22 2/3 innings through four starts this month.
The Orioles may either start Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57 ERA) or Yefry Ramirez (1-3, 3.49 ERA) on Sunday, but no official word has been announced as of yet.
The Rays on the other hand, have a few decisions to make before we hit the latter part of the series. After trading Nate Eovaldi to the Red Sox, Matt Andriese to the Diamondbacks and placing Blake Snell on the 10-day DL, there’s no telling who will take the mound for the Rays.
