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Sunday afternoon game thread: @ Rays, 1:10 PM

The Orioles are looking to win their first series since taking three out of four at Yankee Stadium in early April.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Think about this: "all-star Kevin Gausman" It could happen! Of course, it may depend on whether Manny Machado is still an Oriole by the time the Midsummer Classic rolls around, but Gausman has probably unseated Richard Bleier has the default O's pick should it come to that.

Gausman has been legitimately good since his first start of the season. He's fun to watch and has finally shown an ability to adjust to how big league hitters approach him. That performance in Boston was humiliating, to be sure, but then he bounced back to be really, really good in Chicago.

Something seems different about the LSU product. He's been focused; sharper. He has displayed the mentality that you see in, dare I say, a staff ace. Of course, there is still a long way to go for the 27-year-old, but there is no pitcher that has my faith more than him. He's earned it through consistency.

Today is a good job for an "ace". The O's are out of it, but it's still nice to win a series. The team needs him to step up and give one of his good performances. End the road trip on a high note and send them back to Baltimore in good spirits.

Today's Lineups

BALTIMORE ORIOLES TAMPA BAY RAYS
Trey Mancini - LF Brad Miller - 1B
Pedro Alvarez - DH C.J. Cron - DH
Manny Machado - SS Joey Wendle - 2B
Jonathan Schoop - 2B Wilson Ramos - C
Chris Davis - 1B Daniel Robertson - SS
Danny Valencia - 3B Mallex Smith - CF
Chance Sisco - C Carlos Gomez - RF
Craig Gentry - CF Christian Arroyo - 3B
Jace Peterson - RF Rob Refsnyder - LF
Kevin Gausman - RHP Sergio Romo - RHP