The AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays (30-22) look to continue their winning ways Saturday when they host the reeling Baltimore Orioles (29-23) in game two of a three game weekend set at Tropicana Field. Tampa's 5-0 win over Baltimore on Friday night moved the Rays into first place, and was the Orioles sixth consecutive defeat.
Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 2.83 ERA) takes the hill for Tampa on Saturday. Hellickson has allowed just two runs and 11 hits in 24 innings against the Orioles at home, going 3-0 over that span.
Brian Matusz (4-5, 4.82) will oppose Hellickson. Matusz is 3-1 with a 4.64 ERA at Tropicana Field in his career, but has not pitched there since September of 2010.
Tampa's Matt Joyce has been on fire at the plate of late, batting .429 (9 for 21) in his past seven games. In his last five ballgames against the Orioles Joyce is 7 for 17.
Read more about the Rays at DRaysBay. For more in-depth coverage on the other side, visit Orioles blog Camden Chat. Go to Baseball Nation for additional news and notes around the league.