Will Rogers
Baltimore vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Over 9
The set-up: The Tampa Bay Rays opened their three-game home series with the Orioles with a 16-5 rout. That gives them five wins in their last six games, while pushing across 44 runs (7.3 per). Baltimore has dropped three straight games and its pitching staff has allowed at least five runs in 20 consecutive contests, tying the major-league record set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.The Orioles are 6-14 in that 20-game stretch and since reaching 22-10 in games played through May 9, have lost 28 of their last 41 contests!
The pitching matchup: Dylan Bundy (7-6 & 3.72 ERA) gets the nod for Baltimore and Jacob Faria (3-0 & 1.37 ERA) for Tampa Bay. Bundy takes the mound having seen the Orioles lose six of his last eight starts (he's 2-5). He hasn't pitched well in that stretch but also, he's been provided with just nine runs total in those five setbacks. Bundy, allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Rays on April 26.and is 0-1 with a 7.43 ERA in three career starts vs. Tampa Bay (team is 1-2). Faria takes the mound with the knowledge that he is the fifth player in recorded major-league history to win his first three starts while permitting one run or fewer and completing at least six innings in each outing. That's pretty heady stuff for the 23-year-old. Faria was 6-1 in 11 starts in the minors before being recalled. He has increased his pitch total from 95 to 102 to 110 in his three big league and is holding opponents to a .208 batting average.
The pick: Is Faria really this good? Maybe but I'm still saying he's pitched a little over his head so far. As for that Baltimore pitching staff, the numbers say it all.
Carmine Bianco
Montreal at Columbus
Play: Over 3
The Impact come in after a midweek 1-1 draw in Leg 1 of the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC and have scored in all by two road contests this season. They'll face a Crew side that are tough on home soil and have scored in all eight home matches and 2+ in 6 of 8. Off a short week expect the Crew to push the pace here which should set up some quality opportunities for both sides.