The Baltimore Orioles wrap up their weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Shane Baz takes the ball for Baltimore against Tampa Bay's Nick Martinez in what figures to be a pivotal AL East regular season contest. With both clubs competing in one of baseball's most competitive divisions, there is no such thing as a throwaway Sunday afternoon game when the Rays come to town. Catch it on MASN locally or tune in on WBAL 1090 AM.
Probable Starters: Shane Baz vs. Nick Martinez
Shane Baz draws the start for the Orioles. Baz is a right-handed pitcher with legitimate swing-and-miss stuff, capable of controlling a game when his command is sharp. A strong outing here would be a boost for a Baltimore rotation that needs contributions from every arm on the staff as the regular season pushes deeper into August.
Nick Martinez gets the nod for Tampa Bay. Martinez is a veteran arm who brings durability and craftiness to his starts. He does not overwhelm hitters with velocity, but he works through lineups efficiently and limits damage with his ability to generate weak contact. Baltimore's lineup will need to stay disciplined and work counts to get to Tampa Bay's bullpen.
Keys to Watch in Sunday's Orioles-Rays Game
- Baz's command: Baz's effectiveness hinges on his ability to throw his secondary pitches for strikes. If he is locating his breaking ball, Camden Yards could see a dominant outing. If he falls behind in counts, Tampa Bay has the patience at the plate to make him pay.
- Baltimore's lineup vs. a crafty veteran: Martinez does not give innings away. The Orioles will need to string together at-bats, avoid chasing off-speed pitches early in counts, and manufacture pressure before he settles in.
- Bullpen management: Sunday afternoon games with a 1:35 PM start can grind on a pitching staff. How both managers handle their relief corps in the middle innings could determine the outcome as much as the starters.
- Camden Yards atmosphere: A Sunday afternoon in Baltimore at Camden Yards is one of the best environments in the AL East. The home crowd can be a genuine factor when the Orioles put pressure on opposing pitchers.
AL East Implications
Every head-to-head game between Baltimore and Tampa Bay carries weight in the standings. The Rays have consistently been one of the most analytically sharp organizations in baseball, built to maximize every competitive window. The Orioles know this division does not offer soft spots, and a series win at home against Tampa Bay is the kind of result that matters when September arrives.
Prediction: Orioles 4, Rays 3
This shapes up as a tight, well-pitched game. Baz has the talent to keep Tampa Bay's lineup in check at home, and Baltimore's offense should be able to do enough against Martinez to come away with the win. Orioles take the Sunday matinee at Camden Yards, 4-3.
