The Tampa Bay Rays are among the best teams in baseball, and they were a team that was predicted to be essentially a .500 team.As of right now, they own the American League East and the best record in the American League.
They only need to hold up for another few weeks in order to get to the finish line.The Yankees are still chasing them, despite all the injuries, and the Red Sox are within a reasonable striking distance.
They aren't playing great baseball at the moment, having lost three of the last five, but they are still in a good spot.Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers to the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at Tropicana Field on May 19, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida.(Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)What is surprising to me about today's game is that Shane McClanahan is on the bump for the Rays, and they are only moderate favorites to beat the Orioles.
For the season, McClanahan is 9-6 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.Perhaps the reason is that he hasn't been great on the road this season, throwing to a 4.31 ERA in away games.
It really isn't the result of home runs or hits.It seems that his control just isn't quite as good.
He has 21 walks in 48 innings on the road, compared to 14 in 54 innings at home.The other reason is that he has allowed seven earned runs in 13.2 innings over three starts against the Orioles.
However, his best start against them came on the road, when he allowed just three hits in 5.1 scoreless innings.Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pete Alonso reacts during a review in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Aug.19, 2026.
The review resulted in a foul ball.(Getty Images)The Baltimore Orioles are a team we've spoken about frequently in these articles.
They didn't get the season they were hoping for, but there is some reason for positivity.Their signing of Pete Alonso was great.
Gunnar Henderson has shown good pop, even if he has struck out far too much.But I suppose...