The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays kick off a critical four-game weekend series with the AL East Division lead on the line as the season nears the trade deadline. The Orioles have been chasing the front-running Rays all season and have a chance to take over first place for the first time this season with a series win this weekend. The pitching matchup on Thursday night will feature Orioles righty Kyle Gibson (9-6, 4.77) taking on Rays' righty Tyler Glasnow (3-3, 3.78). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM EST.
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The Baltimore Orioles are now in prime position to take over first place in the AL East after chasing the Rays for the entire season to this point. Baltimore comes into this series with a 3-2 record vs. the Rays this season after taking two of three at home from Tampa and splitting a pair of games on the road. The Orioles are certainly happy to be done playing the Los Angeles Dodgers after losing each of the first two games of that series by scores of 6-4 and 10-3. The two losses prevented the O's from tying the Rays for the best record in the American League. On Wednesday afternoon, the Orioles were able to salvage a win in the series with an 8-5 victory over the Dodgers. Gunner Henderson belted his 15th home run and scored three times as the Orioles moved into a tie with the Rays.
We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship. pic.twitter.com/3TTFW AFKzA
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 18, 2023
The Orioles will turn to Kyle Gibson in game one of this weekend series against Tampa Bay. Gibson is 9-6 on the season in 20 starts including nine quality starts. He has allowed 117 hits in 115 innings pitched thus far and has an ERA of 4.77. Gibson's K/9 rate is 7.0 while his WHIP is 1.35 on the season. On the road, Gibson is 5-3 in 11 starts including five quality starts. He has allowed just 58 hits in 66.1 innings pitched and has a reduced ERA of 4.25. His K/9 rate drops to 6.6 on the road and his WHIP also lowers to 1.18. Gibson took the loss in his only start against Tampa this season but was effective. He allowed six hits in six innings while giving up just two runs. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four.
Key Injuries: CF Cedric Mullins is out.