Orioles and Rays lineups

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The first major league start for Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells coincides today with the conclusion of the first series of 2022.

Wells is trying to give the Orioles at least four innings before manager Brandon Hyde begins sorting through his bullpen. Perhaps Hyde can find length with one reliever, as Keegan Akin provided yesterday by covering the last three frames.

The Orioles will try to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Rays.

Anthony Bemboom gets his first start behind the plate after breaking camp as the backup to Robinson Chirinos. He could be removed from the active roster by the end of the month or in early May, depending on Adley Rutschman’s arrival date.

“You never know what’s going to happen, but I think Boomer is a pro,” Hyde said yesterday. “He’s been in this role when he’s been in the big leagues, and as well as in Triple-A. It’s not been an everyday, five-, six-day-a-week guy, so he knows how to prepare himself, he knows how to get ready. He’s extremely intelligent, he’s an incredible worker, he’s always the first guy to the ballpark, extremely prepared. So I think that we’re really comfortable with him handling the pitching staff on the days he catches, coming into a game if I pinch-hit for Chirinos. I’m really comfortable with him behind the plate.”

Bemboom made the club after a spirited competition with Jacob Nottingham and Beau Taylor. A tipping point for Hyde was the way Bemboom handles a pitching staff.

“I think it’s a strength,” Bemboom said. “I think it just comes from experience, working with, one, a lot of different pitchers, and two, different organizations. I like to think I kind of bring something from every place that I’ve been and try to take that into how I work with pitchers and pitching staffs, pitching coaches, and stuff like that. And I think just being able to be there for the pitcher in any way, being able to be there if they need to lean on me for anything, ask me any questions. Just being there for them is the most important thing, being available.”

Trey Mancini is in left field today and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.

Ramón Urías stays at third base, with Jorge Mateo again playing shortstop.

Tampa Bay is starting Corey Kluber, who signed an $8 million contract with the Rays on Dec. 1. Kluber is 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.127 WHIP lifetime in 10 starts against the Orioles, and he’s struck out 72 batters in 65 2/3 innings.

For the Orioles

Cedric Mullins CF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander DH
Trey Mancini LF
Ramón Urías 3B
Rougned Odor 2B
Austin Hays RF
Jorge Mateo SS
Anthony Bemboom C

Tyler Wells RHP

For the Rays

Brandon Lowe 2B
Wander Franco SS
Randy Arozarena LF
Ji-Man Choi 1B
Yandy Diaz 3B
Josh Lowe RF
Harold Ramirez DH
Mike Zunino C
Manuel Margot CF

Corey Kluber RHP