O's game blog: O's look for 5-0 start against the Rays (tonight's game postponed)

As we approach the scheduled start time of tonight's game here, the tarp is still on the field and the start will be delayed. The Orioles announced that the start is being delayed by the threat of inclement weather. An expected start time will be announced as soon as possible, the club said.

They still hope to play baseball at chilly Camden Yards tonight. The start of tonight's game blog is not delayed.

Update: Just before 8 p.m., the announcement came. There will be no game. Tonight's game between the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays has been postponed due to inclement weather, the O's announced. An announcement regarding the makeup game will be made at a later date.

The Orioles will look to match their best start ever - that was a 5-0 beginning in 1970 - in the chill at Camden Yards. After a 6-1 win behind Chris Tillman and four homers last night, the O's host Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the series.

Right-hander Mike Wright makes his season debut tonight facing Tampa Bay left-hander Drew Smyly (0-1, 6.75 ERA).

O's pitching ranks first in the American League in team ERA:
1.50 - Orioles
2.67 - Kansas City
2.83 - Seattle
3.07 - Chicago

The Orioles are first in the AL in starting rotation ERA at 1.42 and fifth in bullpen ERA at 1.59. O's starters have pitched 19 innings, allowing 14 hits and four runs (three earned) with five walks and 23 strikeouts. The O's bullpen has pitched six scoreless innings over the last two games.

Wright went 3-5 with a 6.04 ERA last season over 12 games and nine starts. In the starts only, he was 2-5 with a 6.48 ERA and allowed nine homers over 41 2/3 innings. But he had a solid spring and begins this year as the O's No. 4 starter.

Smyly made his 2016 season debut on Monday and took the loss against Toronto. Over 6 2/3 innings, he allowed six hits and five runs. He gave up home runs in that game to Josh Thole, Michael Saunders and Josh Donaldson. Left-handed batters went 3-for-9 against him with two homers.

Named the Rays No. 2 starter by manager Kevin Cash on March 29, Smyly begins his fifth major league season in 2016, but this is the first time he's been in an opening day starting rotation.

Smyly has been limited to 19 starts since being acquired from Detroit on July 31, 2014 as part of the David Price trade. However, his 2.52 ERA during that time ranks first in the AL among pitchers with at least 15 starts. His college roommate at the University of Arkansas, Houston's Dallas Keuchel, ranks second (2.56) and Price (2.75) ranks third.

Since the 2012 season, three current Orioles rank within the top 11 among all major league homer leaders. Chris Davis leads the majors with 161, while Adam Jones ranks ninth (121) and Pedro Alvarez ranks 11th (111).

The O's went 10-9 against the Rays last season. The Orioles lead the all-time series, 159-157, going 81-73 at Oriole Park and 78-84 at Tropicana Field.