Baltimore Orioles vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Baltimore Orioles Poised for Victory Against Struggling Tampa Bay Rays in Crucial Weekend Series

The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles are set to face off in a crucial weekend series beginning on Friday, Aug. 9. With the Rays looking to boost their playoff chances and the Orioles aiming to maintain their division lead, both teams have a lot at stake. The Rays are currently five games behind a wild card spot with a 58-56 record, while the Orioles are tied for the American League lead with a 68-48 record. Despite Baltimore's success in the season series, winning six out of seven games against the Rays, the outcome of this matchup remains uncertain. The game is scheduled to start at 6:50 P.M. EST, with Zach Eflin starting for the Orioles and Zack Littell starting for the Rays. Baltimore is the favorite in the betting line, opening at -126 and currently at -129.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Orioles -129 | Rays +117
• Spread: Orioles -1.5 (+130) | Rays +1.5 (-150)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Baltimore will win straight-up is 56%.

Baltimore vs Tampa Bay Stats

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are currently tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East division and are also tied for the top spot in the American League. They have a season record of 68-48. Despite losing four of their last seven games, they are still performing well offensively, ranking seventh in the league with a .254 batting average and scoring the third most runs and hits. Their strong offense is led by their power hitting, with the most home runs per game in the league. However, their defense ranks 13th, allowing an average of 4.30 points per game. The Orioles recently suffered a narrow 7-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, with Colton Cowser having a standout performance with a home run and four RBI. Manager Brandon Hyde acknowledged the team's struggles, particularly against dangerous hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Orioles will be starting Zach Eflin, who has a 7-7 record and a 4.05 ERA, in the upcoming game against the Blue Jays. Eflin will be facing his former team, Tampa Bay, in a return game, having been traded to Baltimore earlier in the season. Despite Eflin's less impressive performance on the road, the Orioles are hopeful for a strong showing from him in this important match.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays are currently 58-56 overall this season and in fourth place in the American League East division. They are nine games back of the top spot and five games away from a wild card spot. Despite losing four of their last seven games, they are coming off a win against the Cardinals. Zack Littell will start Friday night with a 5-7 record and 4.06 ERA. The Rays have struggled offensively this season, with a low batting average and few runs scored. They have also struggled against Baltimore this season. Tampa Bay has a power ranking of 4 and are ranked #27 for offense, scoring 3.95 runs per game. Baltimore is currently on a losing streak against Tampa Bay.

Baltimore Orioles poised for victory against struggling Tampa Bay Rays

The Baltimore Orioles have demonstrated dominance over the Tampa Bay Rays this season, securing victory in six out of seven meetings between the two teams. Pitcher Zach Eflin, recently acquired by the Orioles in a trade with Tampa Bay, is expected to continue this trend in Friday night's game. Despite a 4.47 ERA against the American League East, Eflin possesses the ability to effectively neutralize the Rays' offense. Additionally, Tampa Bay has been struggling with a .228 batting average at home, further fueling confidence in the Orioles' ability to emerge victorious. With a strong offensive lineup averaging 1.5 home runs per game and ranking third in total runs scored, the Orioles are well-positioned to cover the spread. Choose the Orioles as the favored team in this matchup.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]