Where: Tropicana Field
Pat’s Prediction Record:44-41
GAME 1
When: 7:10
The Starters: Tommy Hunter vs. Matt Moore
The O’s head into Tampa Bay after just taking 2 out of 3 from the Yankees in New York. This is a pivotal series for both teams because they are tied right now at 55-50, they are both 6.5 gb in the division, and 1.5 gb from the second wild card spot. For the first game, the Orioles have Tommy Hunter on the mound. Hunter did not do very well in his last start, which was against the A’s. He went 5.1 innings and gave up 5 runs. Hunter hasn’t faced the Rays yet this year. As for the Rays starter, they have Matt Moore on the mound. Moore has had an ok year, but has been very consistent and hasn’t had a blow up start yet. In two starts against the Orioles this year, Moore has stats look like this, 10.1 IP, 6 runs, 2 earned runs, and 7 BB. I think that the Rays will win in this one, 8-3.
GAME 2
When: 7:10
The Starters: Wei-Yin Chen vs. Jeremy Hellickson
For game 2 of this three game set, the Orioles have Wei-Yin Chen on the mound. In Chen’s last start which was against the A’s, he was amazing. He struck out 12 batters in just 5.2 innings pitched, which is the first time that has ever happend.He didn’t allow a run the whole outing. So far this year against the Rays, he has had one start against them, he went 5.2 innings and didn’t give up any earned runs. As for the Rays, they have Jeremy Hellickson on the mound. Hellickson has been pitching great lately, and has improved his ERA to 3.23. In three starts against the Orioles this year, his stats look like this, 19.2 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB. I think that the Orioles will win this one in a low scoring affair, 4-2.
GAME 3
When:1:35
The Starters: Miguel Gonzalez vs. David Price
The Orioles have rookie Miguel Gonzalez starting in this one, who has been battling the flu lately. He had a decent start against the Yankees in his last start, giving up 4 runs in 6.2 innings pitched. But the last time he faced this Rays team, a little more than one week ago, he gave up 7 earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched. Hopefully he can give the Orioles a decent start in this one. As for the Rays, they have ace David Price on the mound. Price has been magnificent all year, posting a 2.64 ERA and a 14-4 record. In his last start against the Orioles, which happened to be the game when Gonzalez got rocked, he went 7 IP and gave up 1 earned runs. I think that the Rays win this one behind a stellar start by David Price, Rays win 4-1.