(Photo credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images)

The Baltimore Orioles are just 5-10 against competition in the American League East, but a win Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays could be the launching pad for a division turnaround.

Toward that goal, they will go for a series sweep of the visiting Rays, who swept the Orioles last week in Sarasota, Fla.

The Orioles, who've won four of their past five games, were victorious in a 6-1 game on Tuesday despite collecting only seven hits.

'Wins or losses, we have to have the ability to turn the page and focus on the next day, and that's what these guys are doing,' Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of his team. 'They model it every single day, so when they show up to the field, they're trying to win that night and that's the only goal.'

After the Rays leave town, the Orioles will have 10 consecutive games against AL East competition.

The East-leading Rays are in the midst of their first three-game skid since April 19-21. Part of that comes from defensive shortcomings the past two games, including three errors that led to six unearned runs Tuesday.

'For us, to capitalize on some miscues was huge because that rarely happens with the Rays,' Albernaz said.

Some of Tampa Bay's troubles might have stemmed from defensive whiz Taylor Walls, a shortstop, being scratched from the lineup because of an ailing hamstring. Oliver Dunn was inserted into the lineup and he committed one of the errors.

In other moves, the Rays are hoping they upgraded their bullpen by adding veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to their roster Tuesday after he was designated for assignment by the New York Mets.

'It's an amazing opportunity, and I'm trying to make the best of it,' said Kimbrel, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts Tuesday.

Kimbrel has ties to the Orioles, recording 23 of his 440 career saves for them in 2024 -- his lone season with the team.

Tampa Bay entered the day with a cumulative 4.40 ERA among relievers.

'I think with our opportunity, and us being a little beat up in the bullpen right now, it made a lot of sense,' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. 'So happy to welcome him here.'

Left-hander Steven Matz (4-1, 3.70 ERA) will start Wednesday for the Rays after limiting Baltimore to one run on three hits in four innings last Wednesday. Matz has appeared in eight games this season, and Tampa Bay has won seven of those.

Matz is 3-2 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 all-time matchups with Baltimore.

The Orioles have listed right-hander Chris Bassitt (4-3, 5.51 ERA) as the potential starting pitcher, but that's subject to change amid speculation that right-hander Trey Gibson (0-0, 5.40 ERA) might be lined up as Baltimore's starter. Gibson made his major league debut on May 3 and made two appearances (one start) for the Orioles earlier this month before being option to Triple-A Norfolk.

Bassitt worked behind an opener last Thursday in a 4 1/3-inning stint and earning the 7-4 win against the Detroit Tigers, marking only third appearance out of the bullpen since 2019. Bassitt's career record vs. the Rays is 1-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 11 meetings (10 starts) covering 58 1/3 innings.

On Tuesday, the Orioles designated for assignment left-hander Dietrich Enns, who was the winning pitcher in relief in their 9-7, 13-inning win on Monday. That made room to add left-hander Nick Raquet to the pitching roster.

--Field Level Media