Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET.
baltimorebaseball.com
Chris Bassitt (activated from the 60-day IL after back surgery) starts for the Orioles against Steven Matz for the Rays. This is Game 1 of a four-game AL East series. The Rays lead the division; the Orioles sit last.
Venue and Weather
Tropicana Field (domed/retractable-roof stadium with artificial turf). Weather has no impact on the game. Outside in St. Petersburg: hot and humid (highs near 90–92°F, lows around 80°F), with chances of afternoon/evening showers or thunderstorms possible, but conditions inside the controlled dome remain consistent.
Probable Pitchers
Orioles: RHP Chris Bassitt (4-4, 5.27 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 37 K in 56.1 IP across 12 games/10 starts). Returning from the 60-day IL (back surgery; last big-league start June 3). Solid rehab (1.98 ERA in 13.2 IP at Triple-A). Career vs. Rays historically challenging (roughly 1-7, ~4.17 ERA in limited starts).
Rays: LHP Steven Matz (5-4, 5.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 48 K in 62.2 IP). Mixed role this year (recent relief work strong: scoreless outings). Lifetime vs. Orioles includes struggles this season (0-1, high ERA in starts against them).
Current Lineups
Orioles
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
Coby Mayo (R) DH
Tyler O’Neill (R) RF
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B
Leody Taveras (S) LF
Colton Cowser (L) CF
Carlos Narváez (R) C
SP: Bassitt
(Note: Alonso leading off for the first time in his MLB career.)
Rays
Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
Chandler Simpson (L) LF
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Liam Hicks (L) C
Victor Mesa Jr. (L) RF
Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Richie Palacios (L) 2B
Taylor Walls (S) SS
SP: Matz
Injury Reports
Orioles: Chris Bassitt activated (back); Samuel Basallo (C, shoulder, 10-day IL); Blaze Alexander (hand, 10-day); Zach Eflin (elbow, 60-day); Felix Bautista (shoulder, 60-day); Keegan Akin (elbow, 60-day); Ryan Helsley (elbow, 60-day); Ryan Mountcastle (foot/oblique complications, 60-day); Jordan Westburg (UCL, 60-day); Colin Selby (shoulder, 60-day).
nytimes.com
Rays: Ben Williamson (hamstring, 10-day); Cole Sulser (back, 15-day); Shane McClanahan (back, 15-day); Griffin Jax (elbow, 15-day); Jake Fraley (groin, 60-day); Manuel Rodriguez (elbow, 60-day); Ryan Pepiot (hip, 60-day); Gavin Lux (shoulder, 60-day); Jon Heasley (elbow, 60-day); Edwin Uceta (shoulder, 60-day).
Key Player Matchups and Notes
Alonso (26 HR, .259) vs. Matz: Strong prior numbers in limited ABs (.400 with power).
Henderson and other lefties vs. Matz (LHP).
Caminero (Rays leader with 35 HR, .279/.370/.553) and Díaz (hot recently: multi-hit stretch) vs. Bassitt (RHP, lower K rate this year, elevated WHIP).
O’Neill has shown recent power. Rays offense ranks near the top in batting average; Orioles have more HR but lower overall AVG/OBP. Both starters carry elevated ERAs, pointing to potential run support for the better recent team.
Recent Team Forms
Rays: 9-1 in last 10, winners of 9 straight. Strong home record (41-18). Outscoring opponents recently; team ERA around 3.70 overall.
Orioles: 4-6 in last 10. Road struggles (26-33). Recent mixed results including series vs. Twins/Rangers. Team ERA ~4.24.
Series History
2026 season series tied 3-3. Rays swept a three-game set at home in mid-May (16-6, 4-1, 5-3); Orioles swept three at home later that month (9-7 in 13, 6-1, 11-2). All-time Rays hold a slight edge. Four games scheduled this weekend (plus potential more later).
Betting Trends
Rays strong as home favorites this year; totals have mixed results for both clubs. Rays have covered spreads well overall.
GAME ODDS
Baltimore Orioles 8
Tampa Bay Rays – 160
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 13, 2026
