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Last time the Rays played the Orioles, it was in the most unfavorable conditions as one game was rained out, while the other two were played in temperatures south of 40 degrees, while also having to deal with 10+ mph winds. The Orioles would take both games.
So, naturally the Rays host a three game set in conditions that are the exact opposite of how they were in Baltimore two weeks ago, under the friendly confines of the Tropicana Field dome. Entering play, the Orioles sit atop the AL East with an 11-6 record, but have been sliding as of late, losing six of their past 10 and they currently hold a 2.5 game lead over the Blue Jays. The Rays meanwhile, are 4th, 3.5 games back with an 8-10 record.
Today's Starting Pitchers:
| 2016 | W | L | IP | GS | ERA | FIP | K% | BB% | HR | AVG | BABIP | fWAR | GS |
| Kevin Gausman (MILB) | 0 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 3.27 | 1.31 | 37.3% | 9.8% | 0 | .261 | .444 | NA | 3 |
| Chris Archer | 0 | 4 | 19.2 | 4 | 7.32 | 5.73 | 29.6% | 11.2% | 6 | .345 | .462 | -0.2 | 4 |
Chris Archer's struggles this season continued in his last start as the Boston Red Sox handed him his fourth loss of the year. He pitched a season low four and a third innings, as the Red Sox offense knocked him out of the game after racking up six runs on eight hits, while Archer walked three and struck out six. This will be his second outing of the year against Baltimore, and he'll hope for better results this time around as he gave up four homers his last time against this potent offense.
*Rays Tidbit - Tonight will be Chris Archer's 100th career game, and if he surpasses eight innings, he'll tie Matt Garza for the fifth most innings pitched in franchise history.
Kevin Gausman Scouting Report:
Gausman began the year on the disabled list as his shoulder has bothered him yet again -- he has missed significant time in previous year due to shoulder issues -- but the Orioles feel he's healthy enough to return after making three rehab starts throughout the minors. The results haven't been too great, although his strikeout numbers have been excellent.
His arsenal:
| PITCH | VELOCITY | FREQUENCY | vs LHB | vs RHB |
| Fastball | Mid 90's |
62.3% vs LHB *** 65.1% vs RHB |
Paints the outside corner | Tends to stay low and in |
| Sinker | Mid 90's |
6.5% vs LHB *** 4.7% vs RHB |
Paints the outside corner | Low and in, off the plate |
| Change | High 80's |
2.4% vs LHB *** 2.9% vs RHB |
Low and away from the zone | Low and away from the zone |
| Splitter | High 80's |
21.4% vs LHB *** 12.4% vs RHB |
Low and away from the zone | Anywhere below the zone |
| Slider | Low 80's |
0.6% vs LHB *** 1.6% vs RHB |
Sporadic | Low and away from the zone |
| Curve | Low 80's |
6.3% vs LHB *** 13.3% vs RHB |
Anywhere below the zone | Anywhere below the zone |
His splits:
| 2015 | TBF | wOBA | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | K% | BB% |
| vs LHB | 246 | .280 | .224 | .283 | .360 | 5 | 25.2% | 7.3% |
| vs RHB | 224 | .358 | .275 | .317 | .526 | 12 | 18.3% | 4.9% |
| HOME | 212 | .271 | .210 | .256 | .369 | 7 | 24.5% | 5.7% |
| AWAY | 258 | .356 | .280 | .335 | .500 | 10 | 19.8% | 6.6% |