Fresh off of a series win over Kansas City, the Orioles are at Tropicana Field to face the Rays in their second series of the second half. It’s one thing to beat up on the lowly Royals, but the O’s will have a bigger challenge versus the 55-38 Rays, owners of a +79 run differential so far this season. The cellar-dwelling Orioles are carrying a -136 run differential into the series.
Tampa has owned the O’s so far this season, having outscored the Birds 48-21 en route to six wins and zero losses. Last year, the Rays won the season series — six games to four — and outscored the O’s 35-32.