Orioles at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays have already clinched six straight series wins to open the season and the top team in the majors goes after a second sweep when the Baltimore Orioles visit for the finale of a three-game set Thursday night. Brandon Lowe remained hot with a three-run homer in the first inning as the Rays totaled 13 hits to post an 8-1 triumph Wednesday for their eighth victory in the last nine contests.
“We have a real good team here,” Lowe told Fox Sports Sun after improving to 10-for-27 with four homers and 10 RBIs the last seven games. “Each guy here has a very professional approach in what they want to do. They’re not going to try to do too much. We have faith in every guy up and down the lineup, so no one’s stressing. It’s easy to play when you’re relaxed.” Andrew Cashner tries to cool off the Rays on Thursday as he goes for a fourth straight victory and he will be opposed by fellow right-hander Hunter Wood, who is expected to pitch the first inning or two in the “opener” role for Tampa Bay. The Orioles have squandered a 4-1 start to the season while losing 11 of the last 14 contests after managing only three hits Wednesday, highlighted by a solo homer from Rio Ruiz. Jonathan Villar and Trey Mancini are a combined 1-for-15 in the series for Baltimore, which struck out 13 times Wednesday and has worked just two walks over the last two days.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (3-1, 5.31 ERA) vs. Rays RH Hunter Wood (0-0, 0.00)
Cashner has strung together three straight wins, including the last two against 2018 playoff teams Boston and Oakland, despite more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six). The 32-year-old Texan tossed six scoreless innings to win at Toronto on April 2 before permitting seven runs (six earned) across 10 1/3 frames combined the past two outings. Daniel Robertson is 3-for-4 with a double versus Cashner, who was 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three starts against the Rays last year.
Wood will open the game for the first time this season after taking on the role eight times in 2018, going 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA across 13 total innings with 19 strikeouts. The 25-year-old Howard University product has made a pair of relief appearances since being recalled, allowing four hits over four scoreless innings with five strikeouts and a save. Joey Rickard is 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs against Wood, who posted a 7.11 ERA in four outings (two starts) versus the Orioles last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier has hit safely in 10 straight contests, going 13-for-39 with five RBIs in that stretch.
2. Baltimore 1B-DH Chris Davis, who is 4-for-12 with six RBIs in his last three games, missed the last two due to illness.
3. Rays C Mike Zunino had a pair of doubles among a season-high three hits Wednesday and owns a five-game hitting streak.