O's game blog: Chris Tillman pitches home finale today

We have reached the time for the final home game of the 2017 Orioles season. The Orioles host Tampa Bay this afternoon to end a four-game series and wrap up the home schedule.

The Orioles are 1-2 in this series and 45-35 at home for the year. They fell to 74-82 with a loss last night, were officially eliminated from playoff contention and assured to have a losing season with loss No. 82. The Orioles are 36-36 versus the American League East and 7-8 against Tampa Bay.

Right-hander Dylan Bundy was scratched earlier today from this start due to a strained left hamstraing. Right-hander Chris Tillman (1-7, 7.66 ERA) will make the start. This will be Tillman's 19th start of the year.

Tillman last pitched on Sept. 16 versus the Yankees. He went three innings allowing four hits and one run. His last start was Sept. 3 against Toronto, when he pitched four innings, allowing three hits and three runs on 72 pitches.

Tillman has made two starts this season versus the Rays. He is 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA, allowing seven runs (six earned) and 15 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

Right-hander Chris Archer (9-11, 4.02 ERA) will make his 33rd start for the Rays. Over the year, he has thrown 192 1/3 innings, allowing 183 hits, including 26 homers, with 57 walks and 241 strikeouts. He averages 2.7 walks per every nine innings and 11.3 strikeouts.

In 16 road starts, Archer is 5-5 with a 4.68 ERA. In two starts this season against Baltimore, he is 1-1 with a 6.39 ERA, allowing nine runs and three homers over 12 2/3 innings.

O's catchers lead the AL and rank third in the majors with a .279 batting average. When catching, Welington Castillo, Caleb Joseph, Francisco Peña, and Chance Sisco have combined to produce 24 doubles, one triple, 30 home runs and 79 RBIs. O's catchers are tied for first in the majors with 30 homers. Castillo leads AL catchers and ranks second in the majors with a .285 batting average and his 20 home runs rank fourth in the AL and are tied for fifth in the majors among catchers (primary position, minimum 330 at-bats).