The Orioles have to run the table to finish above .500 this season and they can only lose one game if they want to avoid finishing below .500. I mention this at the top because Ubaldo Jimenez is pitching tonight.
Can it be done? Sure, anything is possible. Of course it’s not likely, though. But it surely will help that they are playing the team with the worst batting average in the American League for six of their remaining eight games. That didn’t hurt Gabriel Ynoa last night. Maybe Jimenez can take advantage of it tonight.
Tim Beckham makes a return to the lineup after dealing with some dental surgery that kept him out of the lineup for two games. Fitting that he gets back in against his former team. Let’s hope he hits three home runs tonight to remind them what they missed.
Not that things will be easy for the Orioles offense tonight, what with the Rays sending out their best starter by ERA, Alex Cobb. The Rays starter is a pending free agent at the end of the season and there are those who think the Orioles should or will target him. Look out for that ERA away from the Trop and not underneath a dome, though.