Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 2/27/23

The Baltimore Orioles host the Tampa Bay Rays for a Spring Training game at 1:05 p.m. Monday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. The scheduled starting pitchers are Elvin Rodriguez for Tampa Bay and Bruce Zimmermann for Baltimore.

The Rays signed Rodriguez to a minor-league contract in January and invited him to Spring Training. The 24-year-old righty had a 10.62 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances for Detroit last season. He went 0-4, striking out 25 and walking 15 in 29.2 innings. 2022 was his first season pitching in the major leagues.  

Zimmerman has been in the majors off and on for the last three seasons with Baltimore. He started 13 games in 15 appearances while going 2-5. Zimmerman struck out 49 and walked 12 in 73.2 innings. He finished the year with a 5.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

The Orioles finished three games out of a Wild Card spot in the playoffs last season. At 83-79, they were fourth in the American League East behind the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays. Tampa Bay had a record of 86-76 and earned a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. The Rays’ playoff run didn’t last long, however, as they were swept by the Guardians 2-0.

Tampa Bay didn’t make many free agent additions to its offense this winter. Christian Bethancourt was signed and is expected to be the team’s main catcher.  Ji-Min Choi is no longer with the club after being traded to the Pirates. Long-time Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier signed with the Blue Jays. Baltimore is a fairly young squad led by catcher Adley Rutschman and center fielder Cedric Mullins.

Baltimore has scored 20 runs and allowed 11 in two games play so far this exhibition season. Tampa Bay has scored 10 and given up 15. The Orioles have played their regulars more so for than the Rays have. We give the edge to Baltimore given the track record so far this spring and that the game is at home. Final Score Prediction,Baltimore Orioles win 7-4.