This one is just a bad spot for Baltimore. They're coming off a grueling 3-game series (lost the last 2) in Atlanta of which they lost a long 12-inning affair 3-2 yesterday. Crunching the numbers show the Rays are a dominating 22-6 RHP'ing & a perfect 5-0 in Game 1's of a series. Over the longer haul, they put up 39-16 numbers when coming off a win as well as having mastered the O's going 36-15 their last 51 meetings. On the flip side, the Birds sit a dismal 8-21 @ home when coming off a road trip of 7 or more days. The Black & Orange are also a no-show 1-12 when the total is set @ 6 1/2 or lower. In comparison, Tampa Bay's #2 offense is hitting a hefty .293 on the road & face an Orioles' squad hitting .253 @ home. My bottom line says we have to take into account the O's are ALSO facing the Rays' #1 man in the rotation in Lefty Shane McClanahan. See earlier articles/wins atop the VegasTopDogs website for my take on him as he's now accumulated @ 6-0 overall record plus a 3-0 record & a 2.25 ERA @ night. He's had the upper hand in this intra-divisional rivalry as in his last 5 starts collectively, he's yielded just 7 ER's versus Baltimore. With the Orioles' #1 starter still on the mend (John Means due back in July coming off Tommy John surgery on right elbow), I feel Kyle Gibson will have a stiff challenge tonight. We're going to a very familiar (to me) Oriole Park @ Camden Yards (but still miss Memorial Stadium though) to strategically play a BIG 10 Stars on the TAMPA BAY RAYS-5 INNINGS on the ML as my Monday Ridin' On Fumes Play of the Night!
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