Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles Prediction 7-21-23 MLB Picks

The Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. This is game two in a four-game AL East weekend matchup that will have a big effect on the standings. On Thursday Baltimore drew first blood in the series with a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Baltimore Orioles 

The Orioles entered this series on an 8-2 run, playing well despite a series loss to the Dodgers at home this week. In the opener Thursday Baltimore didn’t have a great offensive evening with six hits in the 4-3 win, however Adley Rutschman, Ryan O’Hearn and Colton Cowser each bagged an RBI. 

For the starter job in the Friday game two, the Orioles are sending out Kyle Bradish. This year in 17 games Bradish is 6-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 91.1 frames. Bradish hasn’t given up an earned run in his last two starts over 13.1 innings total. 

Tampa Bay Rays

Over on the Rays’ side, they’d hit the skids coming into this series, losing seven of 10 and faltering atop the AL East. Tampa Bay struggled in the Rangers series this week, getting outscored 13-6 in a sweep. On Thursday the Rays’ Yandy Diaz provided a pair of RBI during an otherwise quiet loss. Tampa Bay really only had the one bad inning, however (the three-run fourth). 

Zach Eflin will be the starter for the Rays on Friday. Over his 18 starts this season Eflin is 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA. He’s got 105 strikeouts over 105.1 innings. Eflin gave up five earned on seven hits in 3.0 innings during a loss to Kansas City in his last start. 

Baltimore Orioles @ Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends: July 21, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

The Rays have won each of their last 11 games against the Orioles following a home loss.
The Rays have failed to cover the run line each of their last 10 night games against teams that held a winning record.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Rays' last three games.
The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against American League opponents.
The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games as favourites against American League opponents.

Baltimore Orioles Team Facts

The Orioles have won seven of their last eight games as underdogs against American League opponents.
The Orioles have covered the run line in each of their last six road games.
The Orioles have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances with the Rays as home favourites against AL East opponents.
Josh Lowe has recorded at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 appearances against the Orioles after playing the previous day.
Josh Lowe has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last seven Friday appearances against AL teams that held a winning record.
Zach Eflin has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances in night games.
Randy Arozarena has hit a home run in five of the Rays' last eight home games against the Orioles.
Wander Franco ranks 4th in the league in Steals (28) this season.

Baltimore Orioles Player Prop Facts

Kyle Bradish has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
Gunnar Henderson has recorded an RBI in four of the Orioles' last five games as underdogs.
Aaron Hicks has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances after playing the previous day.
Aaron Hicks has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 11 appearances after playing the previous day.
Adley Rutschman has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances with the Orioles as underdogs.
Austin Hays ranks 10th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.300) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Tampa Bay Rays ranks T1st in the league for steals this season (115).
The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for ERA this season (3.71).
The Baltimore Orioles ranks T6th in the league for doubles this season (178).
The Baltimore Orioles ranks 7th in the league for RBI's this season (461).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with the Orioles. Bradish is a pretty reliable starter these days; he’s given up just one earned on 13 hits and four walks over his last three outings in 19.1 total innings. Bradish is 2-1 in that time. On Thursday Baltimore had a nice bullpen performance with 4.0 clean innings, two hits, one walk and five strikeouts. The Orioles have scored four or more runs in seven of their last eight games and I like the offense to have another nice evening on Friday.