The Orioles (60-63) continue their four-game road series against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (74-48) on Sunday at Tropicana Field, having won five of their last ten games with two straight victories. Tampa Bay has won eight of its last ten, though the Rays enter Sunday having dropped their last two.
Baltimore took a 4-3 extra-innings win on Saturday behind a strong start from Kyle Bradish, who went six innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out three. Pete Alonso went 3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI to pace the offense, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand added a solo shot of his own. Leody Taveras chipped in with two hits and an RBI in four at-bats as Baltimore manufactured just enough to secure the win in extras.
Tampa Bay sits atop the AL East and has won at a dominant clip all season, making this a measuring-stick series for a Baltimore club still within range of trade deadline positioning at 60-63. The Rays counter with right-hander Freddy Peralta (5-9, 5.33 ERA), whose numbers give the Orioles a potential opening. Trevor Rogers (7-8, 4.21 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore. A win in game 3 would give the Orioles a series lead heading into the finale and strengthen any case for front-office activity before the July 31 deadline has already passed — with the team needing to build momentum through the second half.
Probable Starters
Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9, 5.33 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: LHP Trevor Rogers (7-8, 4.21 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 12:15 PM ET at Tropicana Field
Weather: 76°F, Overcast, 53% chance of precipitation
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)