Rays start 3-game series against the Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (68-48, first in the AL East) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (58-56, fourth in the AL East)
St. Petersburg, Florida; Friday, 6:50 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Orioles: Zach Eflin (7-7, 4.05 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 97 strikeouts); Rays: Zack Littell (5-7, 4.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 108 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Orioles -130, Rays +110; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series at home against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
Tampa Bay has a 58-56 record overall and a 30-29 record at home. The Rays have gone 24-10 in games when they did not give up a home run.
Baltimore has a 68-48 record overall and a 34-23 record in road games. The Orioles have gone 26-8 in games when they did not give up a home run.
The matchup Friday is the eighth time these teams meet this season. The Orioles have a 6-1 advantage in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Christopher Morel leads the Rays with 20 home runs while slugging .372. Brandon Lowe is 14-for-42 with five doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.
Gunnar Henderson has a .285 batting average to lead the Orioles, and has 22 doubles, six triples and 29 home runs. Colton Cowser is 14-for-40 with three home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 6-4, .242 batting average, 2.59 ERA, outscored opponents by 10 runs
Orioles: 5-5, .263 batting average, 5.23 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs
INJURIES: Rays: Josh Lowe: day-to-day (knee), Richard Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (knee), Jacob Waguespack: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (forearm)
Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (lat), Jacob Webb: 15-Day IL (elbow), Heston Kjerstad: 10-Day IL (concussion), Jordan Westburg: 10-Day IL (hand), Jorge Mateo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Danny Coulombe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (ucl sprain), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow), Felix Bautista: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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