Preview of the Orioles-Rays series: Let the second half start

The Orioles begin in the second half of the season on the street in Tampa, where the temperatures run in the mid -1990s and the sun comes out. It becomes sweaty.

When the Orioles met and shining less than a month ago, the rays were shortly before first place in Al East. They were half a first place and had a firm overview of the first Wild Card spot. Her 22-8 defeat against Orioles started a run of 4-12, the worst record in the AL during this time. They have dropped to fourth place in Al East and are now 1.5 games outside the Wild Card.

They lost the series against Orioles and the series against A, twins, Tiger and Red Sox to close the first half.

Apart from two solid losses against Orioles (22-8 and 5-1), the rays were not blown out in their cold stripes. Eight of their 12 losses were carried out by one or two runs. You simply cannot complete the deal. Part of it is the bullpen when the team suffered an extra inside and three outgoing losses. Overall, their auxiliary jugs made it possible 37% of the inherited runners to score a goal, the worst in the American League.

For this reason, the rays for trading for Bryan Baker have chosen. Baker has only made a appearance for the rays since trade, shortly after it happened. He did badly. How many Orioles will he believe that he will strike this weekend? And does he become moonwalk?

Game 1: Friday, July 18, 7:35 p.m. – Masn2

Charlie Morton (14 GS, 5.18 ERA, 88 K / 38 BB) against Taj Bradley (19 GS, 4.60 ERA, 90 K / 40 BB)

How many starts left Charlie Morton with the Orioles? His era is still horrible, but he has had a 3.05 -era since April 29. He has been full -time in rotation since May 26th and during this time his era is 2.76. You have to think he will be traded soon. Morton started the rays this year and it was good. He allowed a run with six goals in six innings without walks and seven strikeouts.

Taj Bradley faced the Orioles twice this season and made twice very bad. On June 18, Bradley was eliminated from the game after only 1.1 Inning. During this time he was struggled around seven runs. And on June 29, he stormed into the sixth inning, but allowed five runs.

Game 2: Saturday, July 19, 7:05 p.m. – Masn 2

Dean Kremer (18 GS, 4.24 ERA, 88 K / 27 BB) against Zack Littell (19 GS, 3.56 ERA, 80 K / 17 BB)

Dean Kremer is Dean Kremer, right? It will either give up five runs or no runs. And you never know what it will be on a certain day. His last start before the All-Star break was a beauty against the Marlins with seven shutout inside. Maybe he can do it again. Or maybe it will be bad. That is the excitement of Dean. So far, he has set up two good starts compared to the rays this year.

Zack Littell has a solid era, but his 4.96 FIP does not support it. He gave up 24 Homeruns, which leads the league. He doesn't strike many, but he holds his walks below. Like Kremer, Littell confronted this opponent twice this year. On June 17, Littell set up a 6-run quality of quality with a 6-run quality. On the 28th he won the victory with seven innings from one-run ball.

Game 3: Sunday, July 20, 12:10 p.m. – Masn2

Trevor Rogers (6 GS, 1.53 ERA, 32 K / 10 BB against Ryan Pepiot (20 GS, 3.38 ERA, 110 K / 37 BB)

Don't look now, but it's Team Ace Trevor Rogers. Rogers has taken six starts for Orioles since his arrival, and five were very good. Unfortunately, his lonely rattle came against the rays. This will be his chance to turn it around. Every time he starts, it is another chance to present it as an important part of the 2026 team.

Ryan Pepiot has a good season, but his two starts against the Orioles were opposites. He started the 22:8 loss and was switched off in the second inn. He also threw eight one-run innings with 11 strikes in a beam victory on June 16. Which pepiot will we see this weekend? Well, he is a fairly high strike type that makes me think that the orioles will become flounder. But two of his last four starts were overwhelming, so he may be on a downward swing.