The Baltimore Orioles started the season red hot, but they are coming back to the pack in a hurry. Tampa Bay\u2019s win over the Orioles last night took Baltimore out of the top spot in the American League East. <\/p>\n
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Betting Preview Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Rays are now the leader in this highly competitive division.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay is tough to beat at home.<\/p>\n Baltimore stormed out of the gates with a red hot offense, but the Orioles have been dropping a lot of close contests in the past couple weeks. The games that this team was pulling out earlier this year are the ones they are losing now.<\/p>\n Adam Jones is having a breakout season for the Orioles offensively. Jones is quickly becoming a superstar in this league. He has a .314 average and 16 homers so far this year. Matt Wieters is struggling mightily with the bat. Wieters has just three hits in the team\u2019s last ten games.<\/p>\n They need much more from him. Brian Matusz is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA away from home this season. \u00a0[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Jeremy Hellickson has been dominating at home this year. Hellickson is 3-1 with a sparkling 1.68 ERA in 38 innings at home in 2012. Hellickson has only allowed more than three runs in a game once all year.<\/p>\n Fernando Rodney has arguably been the best closer in baseball this year, and that has really helped this team get off to a great start. Rodney has 16 saves in 17 chances, and he has a terrific 1.08 ERA. Offensively, the Rays are very short-handed right now. Without Evan Longoria and Desmond Jennings, the team isn\u2019t going to pile up runs too often.<\/p>\n Matt Joyce has been a clutch hitter for the team once again this year.<\/p>\n David Price shut down the Orioles yesterday, and I don\u2019t see any reason to believe Baltimore will have much more success against Hellickson.<\/p>\n The Rays should extend their division lead with a win here.<\/p>\n
\nStarting Pitchers: Baltimore (Matusz) vs. Tampa Bay (Hellickson)
\nDate\/Time: June 2, 4:10 p.m. EST
\nMLB Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
\nMoneyline: Tampa Bay (-170) Baltimore (+150)
\nRunline: Rays -1.5 (+125) Orioles +1.5 (-145)
\nTotal: 8<\/strong><\/p>\n