The Tampa Bay Rays will face off against the Baltimore Orioles on July 18, 2025, at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET and the game airing on MASN2.
In this matchup, the spotlight will be on the probable starting pitchers: the Orioles will send out 41-year-old Charlie Morton, who has surprisingly regained form with a 2.63 ERA over his last seven starts. Morton’s resurgence could play a critical role as he seeks to capitalize on a struggling Rays lineup and improve the Orioles’ chances, even as they sit at the bottom of the AL East standings.
The Rays will counter with RHP Taj Bradley, who is hoping to bounce back from a difficult stretch. Bradley’s numbers suggest potential for improvement, with an xERA of 3.60 that indicates he may have been unlucky in earlier outings. His ability to limit hard contact and generate ground balls will be vital in this matchup, especially given the Rays’ recent challenges.
Critically, both bullpens could influence the game significantly. The Orioles’ bullpen is currently ranked eighth in SIERA, while the Rays’ relief corps holds a stronger position at fourth. With both teams featuring potent pitching depth, expert analysts suggest taking the under on the total runs, currently set at 9.
The recent performance trends indicate that despite Baltimore’s struggles, Morton’s effective pitching and a resilient bullpen may keep the score low. Both teams are vying for a comeback as they enter the second half of the season, with the Orioles looking to showcase their trade assets and the Rays hoping to improve their standing after a rough patch.
In conclusion, expect a tightly contested game with great pitching, and keep an eye on Morton as he attempts to lead the Orioles to a much-needed win. The betting recommendation is to take the under, as the matchup appears favorable for low scoring.