Once again sporting their all-white Players Weekend uniforms, the Rays will look to make it three straight over the Orioles tonight.
As importantly, they will try to get struggling reliever Jose Alvarado straightened out by using him as an opener. In 34 games over a season interrupted once for a month-long family leave and then another month-plus for an oblique injury, he is 1-5, 4.55 with 28 hits and 24 walks in 29 2/3 innings.
That strategy, of allowing a pitcher to work with no pressure at the start of the game and only for a limited time, has helped in the past with Diego Castillo and Ryne Stanek among others.