The Tampa Bay Rays head to Baltimore for a regular season matchup at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET. Shane McClanahan gets the ball for Tampa Bay against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. With the AL East standings always a factor when these two clubs meet, every game between the Rays and Orioles carries weight — and this one is no different. Rays fans can catch the action on Rays.TV or listen in on WDAE 95.7 FM and 98 Rock 97.9 FM.

Pitching Matchup: McClanahan vs. Young

Shane McClanahan on the mound is an event in itself. The left-hander has been one of the more electric arms in the American League when healthy, and his ability to miss bats and generate weak contact gives the Rays a genuine chance to steal a game on the road in a tough environment like Camden Yards. The Orioles counter with Brandon Young, a pitcher the Rays will be doing their homework on. Young is not a household name — yet — which means the Tampa Bay lineup will need to stay disciplined early and look to work counts rather than get themselves out chasing.

Baltimore Lineup to Watch

The Orioles are sending out a formidable lineup. Jackson Holliday leads things off at second base, and hitting behind him is Pete Alonso at DH — a serious middle-of-the-order threat no matter where he appears in the lineup. Coby Mayo slots in at first base batting third, with Tyler O'Neill in right field hitting cleanup. The presence of Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, even batting fifth, is a reminder that there is no soft landing spot in this Baltimore order. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Christian Franklin, Leody Taveras, and Carlos Narváez round out the lineup, giving the Orioles length from top to bottom.

Keys to the Game for Tampa Bay

• McClanahan's command early: If he's locating his fastball and getting ahead in counts, this Orioles lineup becomes manageable. If he's battling from behind, the Baltimore order will make him pay.
• Navigating Alonso and Henderson: Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson are the two names the Rays bullpen and coaching staff will have circled. Keeping them in the ballpark is priority one.
• Offensive patience against Young: Facing a less-established starter, the Rays should resist the urge to expand the zone early. Make Young prove he can throw strikes, then attack.
• Bullpen management: Camden Yards is a hitter-friendly environment. If McClanahan exits with a lead, getting the right matchups in relief is critical.

Prediction

This is the kind of road game where having a quality starter makes all the difference. McClanahan gives the Rays a genuine edge on the mound, and if the Tampa Bay offense can put up crooked numbers against a pitcher they haven't seen much of, this is winnable. Call it Rays 4, Orioles 3 in a close one that goes down to the late innings.