Tampa Bay at Baltimore MLB Series Predictions & Betting Pick

The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays played a series last weekend in Florida and the Birds took two of three. They now play up the East Coast in Baltimore for three this weekend. It’s the final meeting between the AL East rivals until after the All-Star break and the Rays head into the weekend series as MLB series favorites in the betting odds.

Tampa Bay at Baltimore MLB Series Predictions & Betting Pick

Cliqued up. pic.twitter.com/NS9JQI0TTh

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 28, 2017

When: Friday 7:05, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:35 Where: Camden Yards, Baltimore TV: MLB Extra Innings / Fox Sports Sun (Tampa Bay) / MASN (Baltimore) Stream: MLB.tv Radio:  WDAE 620 AM (Tampa Bay) / 105.7 The Fan (Baltimore) MLB Series Odds: TBA

Last Weekend’s MLB Series Results

In the first game of the last series, the Rays won Game 1 15-5. Evan Longoria and Shane Peterson drove in four runs apiece, and Logan Morrison homered. Peterson and Derek Norris – Norris since released — hit two-run homers as Orioles pitchers allowed at least five runs for the 20th consecutive game, tying a major league record set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies. The Orioles ended that streak the next day with an 8-3 win. Mark Trumbo had a two-run double and Trey Mancini’s two-run homer put Baltimore ahead 7-3. Baltimore also got a second-inning, two-run homer from Welington Castillo and Adam Jones hit a solo shot in the third. The Orioles won the finale 8-5. Caleb Joseph homered, then singled to start a three-run ninth inning that led the Orioles to the win. Mancini and Jonathan Schoop also homered for the Orioles. They hadn’t taken a road series since April 18-20 at Cincinnati.

Player News

The Rays are likely to have reliever Brad Boxberger for this series as he was expected to be activated Thursday. Boxberger has yet to make his 2017 debut due to his various injury concerns. Boxberger gave up an earned run on a hit and a walk over an inning in High-A Charlotte’s 8-4 loss to Tampa on Tuesday. He also recorded two strikeouts. Boxberger fired 20 pitches overall, 13 of which he threw for strikes. The former closer had been sent back down to the Stone Crabs for Tuesday’s appearance in order to get him one final tuneup.

And What’s Going on the Orioles Bullpen?

Baltimore closer Zach Britton (forearm) gave up one run on two hits in one inning of work Monday in his latest rehab appearance with Double-A Bowie. Britton struck out one batter while throwing 12 out of 18 pitches for strikes. “A lot of positives,” said Britton. “The worst line I’ve had, but by far the best stuff. It makes no sense.” He’s slated to pitch again with Bowie on Thursday before making stops with High-A Frederick and Triple-A Norfolk. The plan calls for him to be activated on July 5.

Probable Pitchers

It’s Jacob Faria (3-0, 2.10) for Tampa on Friday. Faria got the no-decision after giving up three runs on five hits (two homers) and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings last Saturday against the Orioles. The rookie has posted an impressive 29:5 K/BB ratio in his 25 2/3 innings of work, fueling a robust 2.71 FIP behind that sparking 2.10 ERA. Baltimore’s Chris Tillman took a no-decision after yielding five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings Sunday against the Rays. Tillman’s month-long slide continued and the righty is now 0-5 with a 10.99 ERA in his past seven starts dating back to May 24.

What About the Weekend Games?

Saturday, the Rays start Jake Odorizzi. He was dealing with food poisoning in the days leading up to his most recent start Sunday against the Orioles. Coming off one of his worst starts of the season when he gave up four runs in 5.1 innings, it’s now known Odorizzi was on IVs in the days before that outing. The Orioles’ Dylan Bundy beat Tampa last Saturday, allowing three runs over seven innings. Sunday, Tampa goes with Alex Cobb. He settled for a no-decision after allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts over eight shutout innings Tuesday against the Pirates. Cobb (6-5, 3.73 ERA) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and yielded just two singles over a season-high eight frames, but he was not allowed to go the distance. Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday’s win over the Blue Jays, allowing four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Though he left a bit prematurely, Gausman’s first scoreless outing since last August was a positive sign after he had gone 0-3 with 15 earned runs against over 14.2 innings in his last three starts.

Latest MLB Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays

• 4-8 ATS in the last 12 games
• 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
• The total went OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games

Baltimore Orioles

• 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
• 5-18 SU in its last 23 games on the road
• The total went OVER in 15 of Baltimore’s last 23 games

Latest MLB Series Results

Tampa Bay Rays

• Loss – June 23rd to June 25th vs Baltimore Orioles. Score: 1-2
• Won – June 19th to June 21st vs Cincinnati Reds. Score: 2-1
• Tie – June 15th to June 18th @ Detroit Tigers. Score: 2-2
• Tie – June 13th to June 14th @ Toronto Blue Jays. Score: 1-1
• Won – June 9th to June 11th vs Oakland Athletics: Score 3-1

Baltimore Orioles

• Won – June 23rd to June 25th @ Tampa Bay Rays. Score: 2-1
• Loss – June 19th to June 22nd vs Cleveland Indians. Score: 1-3
• Won – June 16th to June 18th vs Cincinnati Reds. Score: 2-1
• Tie – June 12th to June 15th @ Chicago White Sox. Score: 2-2
• Loss – June 9th to June 11th @ New York Yankees. Score: 0-3

Tampa Bay at Baltimore MLB Series Prediction

While it looks like the Rays might have pitching advantages on Friday and Sunday, the O’s are a very good home team. Yes, they might be struggling a bit within their division, but they’re still a top team. In my opinion, they win two of three.