Gausman back on the bump as Orioles continue homestand

Is it Kevin Gausman's turn to assume the role and the responsibility of staff ace for the Orioles?

It belonged to Chris Tillman until his disastrous 2017 season. Dylan Bundy earned it, along with the opening day start on March 29, but he's struggled in his last three outings and failed to retire a batter Tuesday night.

Alex Cobb is getting better and Andrew Cashner registered his fourth quality start Wednesday night, but Gausman deserves the belt. He should wear it around his waist tonight like a WWE champion.

Gausman is coming off a gem in Oakland. Nine scoreless innings and no decision in the Orioles' 2-0, 12-inning loss. His ERA is down to 3.30 in seven starts.

Let's take another look at the decline:

April 1: 13.50
April 6: 8.00
April 11: 6.60
April 18: 5.57
April 23: 4.66
April 29: 4.15
May 5: 3.30

Gausman has a career 3.57 ERA in 28 starts working on five days' rest. He was pushed back to tonight after his prolonged outing against the Athletics.

In 14 career games versus the Rays, Gausman has gone 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.330 WHIP over 70 2/3 innings. He made three starts against them last season and allowed only one run with 26 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Brad Miller is 2-for-11 with seven strikeouts lifetime against Gausman. Denard Span is 4-for-9 with two doubles.

Right-hander Jake Faria faced the Orioles on April 25 at Camden Yards and allowed four runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Rays' 8-4 win. He walked three batters, struck out five and surrendered Chance Sisco's first home run.

Faria has a 4.78 ERA and 1.063 WHIP in five career games (four starts) against the Orioles. He's allowed eight earned runs (nine total) and 10 hits in 13 innings at Camden Yards.

Adam Jones, who came within a triple last night of the cycle, is 5-for-12 with two doubles and one home run against the Faria. Sisco has homered twice and struck out twice off Faria in four at-bats.

Trey Mancini, who also came within a triple last night of the cycle, is 2-for-10 with one home run and seven strikeouts.

The Rays swept the Orioles last month in their rain-shortened two-game series, winning 8-4 and 9-5.

Tanner Scott was sensational last night with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings. He struck out two with a fastball clocked at 98-99 mph and two on nasty sliders. He's exhibiting much better control. But does he stay here?

The Orioles may need to make a roster move before tonight's game after Tillman lasted only 1 1/3 innings, and Scott has options. They also could send out someone between games of Saturday's doubleheader.

They'd prefer to reward a pitcher for another good performance rather than shake hands and point them toward Triple-A Norfolk. It can't always work that way, however.

We'll see. But Scott looks like a guy who is going to contribute this summer and eventually hop off the shuttle.