Backing Birds As They Close Out Series Against Tampa Bay

Orioles vs. Rays, 1:40 ET

I’ve thought a lot about baseball and the chances made in recent years. The pitch clock, the bigger bases, and some of the other implementations all were met with objections – like most things when first brought up. Baseball purists talk about how it takes away from the game. In reality it has advanced the engagement in my opinion. The quicker game makes it more interesting and tolerable to both attend and watch games. I find myself watching more games between teams I never would have before because I know the commitment isn’t likely to be three to four hours any longer. Outside of betting I never would’ve watched a game between the Orioles and Rays, but I am willing to watch today even if I didn’t have a play on it. 

The Orioles are one of my favorite teams in baseball. I think it is the smug Oriole on the hat that first made me interested in the club when I was a kid. Their park is cool, orange and black go together well, and now (something that actually matters) the team is relevant. I’ve talked about how they can beat you in a multitude of ways. Their pitching can lead the way some days. The hitting can be for both average and power. There isn’t much that the team has in terms of weaknesses. I don’t really have anyone on the team that I could say will be an MVP candidate. Sure, Adley Rutschman is the best on the club, but he feels kind of like one of many great players, as opposed to a true superstar like Aaron Judge or Juan Soto, for example. Today they send out a starter who is having a nice campaign, and is one of the younger up-and-coming arms in their rotation, Grayson Rodriguez. He is off to a decent enough stat with a 6-2 record and a 3.28 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP. He has struggled a bit as a road starter with a 4.30 road ERA, but has been strong in his past two road starts, going a total of 11.2 innings and allowing just three earned runs. He has not faced the Rays this season, but has been fairly solid against them over the past with the hitters going just 8-for-36 against him with three extra bases. 

Apr 22, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Littell (52) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay has been an annual contender in the AL East no matter what happens with their roster. Their pitching staff was leading the way through most of the seasons, but their hitting would be able to get quite a bit done as well. It seemed that no matter what changes or expectations were placed on the roster over the past few years, they exceeded them. Perhaps luck has run out for them this season as they are just at .500 and they probably will remain around there for the year. They traded away one of their best pitchers, they lost Wander Franco last year to ridiculousness, and this year they are feeling the results of it. Today they send out one of the bright spots of the club, Zack Littell. Littell is 2-3 with a 3.56 and a 1.29 WHIP. His last start was against this same Orioles club, and he produced six innings of 11 hits and three earned runs. Littell is a bit unpredictable though as he has just five quality starts in 12 outings this season. 

The Orioles are the better team and have the better pitcher on the mound. Rodriguez has typically been a guy that you can count on. I’m going to back him and the Orioles to win the game. I do think Littell is a solid enough pitcher, but having to face this club twice in a row can be difficult. Take the Orioles to win and let's hope their bats can produce today. 

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