Orioles (74-62) vs. Rays (58-77)
Where: Tropicana Field
First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan
Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-11, 6.46 ERA) vs. Rays RHP Matt Andriese (6-6, 4.19 ERA)
What to watch
1. Where they stand: The Orioles have an opportunity in front of them with three games at the last-place Tampa Bay Rays, with ground to make up in the American League East. The Orioles are coming off a series victory over the New York Yankees, which pulled them within three games of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays now head to New York to face the upstart Yankees, while the Boston Red Sox play out west in San Diego. The Orioles are 9-3 against the Rays this season. Can they continue to dominate their division rivals to close in on first?
2. Ubaldo watch: Ubaldo Jimenez has pitched well since rejoining the Orioles rotation filling in for injured ace Chris Tillman. He has allowed four runs in 12 2/3 innings (2.84 ERA) while striking out seven and walking two. Will he provide another good outing to perhaps make him an attractive option to stay starting once Tillman returns?
3. Adam's apple: With three straight two-hit games since returning from a hamstring injury, Adam Jones is showing how valuable he can be. He's batting .462/.462/.692 in his first three games back, and .347/.356/.500 in 24 games since Aug. 5. Can he make it four straight two-hit games this afternoon?
Orioles lineup
CF Adam Jones
DH Pedro Alvarez
3B Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
2B Jonathan Schoop
SS JJ Hardy
LF Hyun Soo Kim