masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAfter losing two of three games to last-place Tampa Bay, the Orioles need a win today at Camden Yards to split this four-game series.
Tampa Bay won 7-6 here on Thursday and 5-2 last night, holding the Orioles to seven hits, while the O’s were 5-4 comeback winners on Friday night.
At 81-67, the Orioles are tied with Toronto for second place in the American League East, three games behind Boston (84-64). The Orioles and Blue Jays hold both AL wild card spots right now, and in that race lead…

After losing two of three games to last-place Tampa Bay, the Orioles need a win today at Camden Yards to split this four-game series.

Tampa Bay won 7-6 here on Thursday and 5-2 last night, holding the Orioles to seven hits, while the O’s were 5-4 comeback winners on Friday night.

At 81-67, the Orioles are tied with Toronto for second place in the American League East, three games behind Boston (84-64). The Orioles and Blue Jays hold both AL wild card spots right now, and in that race lead Detroit, Houston and Seattle by three games and New York by four.

The Orioles own a 35-30 record against teams in the AL East, including a mark of 20-13 at home. Friday’s win marked the Orioles fifth consecutive season with a record of .500 or better. The Orioles’ record of 24-17 (.585) in day games leads the AL and ranks fifth in the majors. Orioles hitters are hitting .276 during the day, ranking second in the AL and third in the majors.

Schoop-Swings-Orange-Sidebar.jpgAccording to STATS, LLC., second baseman Jonathan Schoop owns the second-longest active games started streak in the majors with 148 starts. He trails Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar with 157 starts. Prior to Aug. 20, Schoop was the last player in the majors to play every inning and each out of his team’s games this season.

The Orioles rank third in the AL and are tied for fifth in the majors with 46 wins at home this season. At 46-27 (.630), the Orioles rank third in the AL and fifth in the majors for the best home record.

On the mound today, the Orioles start left-hander Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80 ERA). He is making his 28th start and the ninth with the Orioles. Miley gave up six runs in just 1 1/3 innings Monday at Boston and he is 1-5 with an ERA of 8.41 in eight games with Baltimore. Over 35 1/3 innings, he has allowed 53 hits (a .351 average against) with 13 walks and 32 strikeouts.

Miley had pitched to an ERA of 2.79 in his last three starts with Seattle before the O’s traded for him. In eight career starts against Tampa Bay, he is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA.

Right-hander Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) pitches for Tampa Bay, making his 31st start. In 11 starts since the All-Star break he is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA, allowing two earned runs or fewer eight times. He went 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA in the first half.

Odorizzi has already made five starts this season versus the Orioles, going 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA. In 26 innings he has allowed 37 hits and seven homers. In 13 career games (12 starts) against Baltimore, he is 3-4 with a 5.48 ERA.