GameThread for Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles, Apr 24, 2017 7:05 PM EDT

The Orioles have been playing the A.L. East almost exclusively this month, but today is the first time that they will face the Rays. And they have the good fortune of facing Chris Archer! The Orioles have actually done quite well against Archer in the past, but he's a very good pitcher so I don't necessarily think that means anything for future starts.

As for the O's starter, well, it's Ubaldo Jimenez. Ubaldo was fantastic his last time out against the Reds, and sometimes he can get into stretches where he is good. Let's hope that last game was the start of one. But still, I don't have high hopes that he'll repeat. I have hope! Just not high hope.

So far in this young season the Rays are hitting like you do not expect the Rays to hit. Their team OPS+ of 119 is second in the AL and they are averaging 4.65 runs per game. Surely that can't keep up, can it?

With a righty on the mound and Seth Smith feeling better, the lineup has a different look than we've seen of late. Welcome back, Kim and Dad!

Please enjoy these Tweets:

Hey @SimplyAJ10, since it IS his birthday today, maybe you can cut @SouzaJr a break today? #SecondBaseStandoff pic.twitter.com/w3SNBKQ4iu

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 24, 2017

@RaysBaseball @SouzaJr Hello @SouzaJr pic.twitter.com/sHLxtEcpj1

— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) April 24, 2017