The Orioles (59-63) continue a four-game road series against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (74-47) at Tropicana Field on Saturday, having won five of their last ten games while the Rays have won nine of their last ten.
Baltimore took Friday's series opener 6-5 behind a dominant performance from Gunnar Henderson, who went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, and two RBI. Dylan Beavers contributed two RBI on a 2-for-2 night, and Colton Cowser added a solo home run. Chris Bassitt gave the Orioles 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out three, while the bullpen cobbled together the rest — with Yennier Cano the lone hiccup, surrendering three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning before Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia closed it out cleanly.
Tampa Bay's nine-wins-in-ten-games stretch has them sitting firmly atop the AL East, making this road trip an early test of how much ground Baltimore can realistically chase. Left-hander Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.08 ERA) starts for the Rays on Saturday. Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.69 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore. A win gives the Orioles back-to-back victories to start the series and keeps them relevant in trade deadline positioning as they sit four games below .500.
Probable Starters
Tampa Bay Rays: LHP Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.08 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.69 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 6:10 PM ET at Tropicana Field
Weather: 86°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)