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This particular road trip has not been enjoyable. The Orioles took 2 out of 3 in Houston but the offense looked quiet. It's gotten even quieter still as they lost the first two games in Tampa Bay, scoring just one run over 18 innings.If they want to keep from being swept they'll need to do something not many teams have done in 2013: beat tough lefty Matt Moore.
Moore has made twelve start this season and the Rays have lost just two of them. Moore himself has taken only one loss, in his last start on June 4th. He gave up six runs in just two innings against Detroit, and even with that his ERA is 2.95 for the season.
Moore's biggest weakness is his tendency to walk batters. He's at 4.8 per nine on the season. Unfortunately for the Orioles, they have only drawn 167 walks on the season. Only three teams in the American League (Astros, Royals, White Sox) have drawn fewer. Moore doesn't give up many hits and he strikes out over 8 per nine innings, so if the Orioles can't show any patience they'll be toast.
In two games against the Orioles this year, Moore is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA. That's three runs over 13 2/3 innings. Will the third time be the charm for the O's, or will they go down in flames and fall even further behind in the standings? Let's hope the former.
On the mound for the Orioles is Chris Tillman, coming off of an excellent effort in Houston. He has faced the Rays twice this year, both times against Moore. In his first start against them in April he gave up four runs in five innings. In May he gave up three runs in six innings. If he can keep with the pattern and make his June start two runs in seven innings, I'll be a happy camper.
Let's go O's!