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The Orioles are having themselves a pretty good weekend. Their two wins yesterday combined with the Red Sox loss now gives them a three-game lead in the division. Today they go for the four-game sweep of the Rays and their fifth win in a row. Will they do it? I don't see why not. Four-game sweeps are tough, as are 11-game losing streaks (which is what the Rays will have if the O's win).
As is the case with most of the O's pitchers, who knows what we'll see from Tyler Wilson today. He's coming off of a quality start against the Padres and an excellent eight inning, shut out performance against the Red Sox. I'm going to hope for that Tyler.
Drew Smyly is having a rough season, but he is an established nemesis of the Orioles. He hasn't faced them this year, but over eight career games the Orioles are hitting .152/.200/.290. If you're not familiar with those numbers, that is not good.
Additionally, Smyly is a lefty, which means that the Orioles will...wait a minute! Did you know that the Orioles are hitting better against lefties this year than righties? We're talking 100 points in OPS better.
So bring it on, last-place Rays and lefty Drew Smyly! The Orioles are in first place and they demolish teams like yours.
Let's go O's!