Orioles vs Rangers Preview: Orioles Look To Sweep Rangers

The Texas Rangers are two games behind the Oakland Athletics and may drop even further as the Baltimore Orioles look to sweep the Rangers in their first series back from the All-Star Break.

The Orioles have handedly defeated the Rangers two times now and will be seeking a third win as they look to over take the Tamp Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox to take back control of the AL East.

Orioles will be starting Chris Tilman.  Tilman was added to the American League roster in the All-Star Game to replace Justin Verlanders.  Tillman did not pitch in the game and will now make his first start since the break against the Rangers.

Tillman won 11 games before the break and is widely considered to be one of the most consistent starters in the MLB.  His pre-All Star Break stats are very impressive, pitching a 3.95 ERA and going 11-3 with 89 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings.

The Rangers will be starting Martin Perez who is looking to avoid the dreaded pitcher’s rut.  He struggled in his last outing before the break where he allowed five earned runs against the Detroit Tigers and only pitched 5 2/3 innings before being taken out of the game.

Prior to that game, however, Perez was pitching very well, winning each of his previous four starts.  One of those wins was an 8-4 Rangers victory against the Orioles on July 9.  In his six starts this season Perez has a 3.00 ERA, with 20 strikeouts and ten walks.

Despite being down two games, the Rangers are the favorites to win the last game of this series with a -129 moneyline at Bovada.  To bet on Baltimore, the moneyline is at +119.  The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET.