Orioles vs Rays Pick: Resurgent O’s Turn to Morton to Close Gap With Rays (Jun 19)

• Our Orioles vs Rays pick gauges whether the surging Orioles can close the gap on the Rays in the AL East
• Since firing manager Brandon Hyde, Baltimore has played like they were expected to play before the season and crawled back to life
• Tampa Bay has been playing well in its own right and is trying to get closer to the reeling 1st place Yankees
• The Orioles start veteran Charlie Morton; the Rays respond with Drew Rasmussen

O’s Turnaround Started With a Managerial Change

Although the manager’s role and importance have been severely diminished in stat-centric circles, the job still has value even if the front office is heavily involved in decision-making. The Orioles started 15-28 under Brandon Hyde. In desperation, more than anything else, the club fired Hyde and replaced him with Tony Mansolino.

Since then, they have played over .500 ball and crawled to the outskirts of playoff contention. Given their woeful start, they still face an arduous climb, but they’re in a better situation than they were a month ago when they looked like they were going to lose 95 games.

Against the Rays in the final game of their three-game series, the O’s send veteran Charlie Morton to the hill.

Morton’s overall 2025 numbers are horrific, not just for a longtime MLB stalwart, but for any big league pitcher in general. Overall, he has a 6.05 ERA in 16 appearances (10 starts), has allowed 69 hits in 61 innings along with 41 earned runs, and 10 homers. He’s walked 32. On the positive side, he’s struck out 67.

At age 41, these numbers might signal the end for most pitchers. Still, he improved when moved to the bullpen in mid-May and has pitched serviceably in four starts since returning to the rotation, tossing 20 innings and allowing 7 runs. In his last start against the Angels, he tossed five scoreless innings.

Morton is a former Ray. Against the Rays, he has been very effective with only Yandy Diaz accruing more than one hit. The Rays’ hitters are 4 for 31 against Morton with no home runs.

Adley Rutschman’s batting average is creeping up, and he’s now in the .230s. Ryan O’Hearn is having an All-Star season with an OPS nearing .900.

Rays Try To Keep Winning as They Pursue 1st Place

Suddenly, the Rays are breathing down the first-place Yankees’ collective necks.

To continue their rise, they send Drew Rasmussen to the hill against the Orioles. Rasmussen has quietly been the Rays’ best starter this season with a 2.0 bWAR. He has a 2.55 ERA, has allowed 55 hits in 74 innings, and has given up 21 earned runs. He’s walked 15 and struck out 52.

The Orioles are 6 for 39 against Rasmussen. Cedric Mullins is 0 for 12. Ramon Urias is 0 for 10. Rutschman is 2 for 7 with a double. Ramon Laureano is 1 for 2 with a double.

Tampa’s Junior Caminero is still learning the strike zone and doesn’t walk nearly enough, but he’s showing tremendous power and has an OPS of around .800. He’s also got flair. Jonathan Aranda is going to get some MVP votes, though they won’t be enough to win the award with Aaron Judge around.

Orioles vs Rays Pick: Morton Will Surprisingly Hold Down the Rays

Even though his season has gone terribly but for the past few weeks, Morton is still a veteran who should not be counted out. The Orioles are hitting better and can sense an opportunity to get back into playoff contention. They’ll take this game behind their veteran righty.