Opposite dugout: Rays reduced to spoiler role in AL East race

Manager: Kevin Cash (1st season)

Record: 64-66

Last 10 games: 5-5

Who to watch: 2B Logan Forsythe (.277 with 15 HR, 53 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (14 HR, 57 RBIs), CF Kevin Kiermaier (16 SB), RHP Chris Archer (11-10, 2.88 ERA), RHP Brad Boxberger (3.18 ERA, 32 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 5-7

Pitching probables:

Aug. 31: RHP Chris Archer vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sept. 1: LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sept. 2: RHP Erasmo Ramirez vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Rays:

The goal has changed for the Rays, who have morphed from pesky potential wild card contender to possible spoiler in the American League East over the season's final five weeks. That's not a reflection on first-year manager Kevin Cash, who got more out of the Rays than most expected - and for much longer, too. Against the East, the Rays have gone 24-26; it's a 12-17 mark against the AL Central and a 33-35 home record that's hurt Tampa Bay. Still, they're a game up on the reeling Orioles in the AL East.

The Rays have weathered too many injuries - particularly to their starting pitchers - and too much offensive ineffectiveness to be a factor. It's hard to figure what's more astounding: that third baseman Evan Longoria has only 14 homers and 57 RBIs, or that second baseman Logan Forsythe, a guy who wasn't really counted on for much, has 15 homers and 53 RBIs. For much of the season, Longoria might as well be hitting by himself on an island - he's had that little protection in the Rays lineup. Cash has mixed and matched what parts are available to him, and the Rays have been active on the waiver wire, trying to turn other clubs' castoffs into useful parts. The Rays ask a lot of guys who might only be role players on deeper teams.

Check where the Rays rank offensively and you'll get an idea of the problem. They're 24th in the majors in average (.247), which counteracts their .310 on-base percentage (19th) and .392 slugging percentage (21st). They've hit 122 home runs, good for 17th in the bigs. With stats like those, it doesn't matter if their pitchers hold foes to a .238 average, second-lowest in the majors, or post a respectable 3.68 ERA (ninth).

Right-hander Chris Archer draws the starting assignment in the series opener, and he's struggled mightily of late, going 2-5 in his last 11 starts after posting a 6-0 record in his previous nine. In five August starts, he's got a 4.32 ERA, his highest mark of any month. But he's limited opponents to a .213 average overall and .215 on the road. When he runs out of gas, he's very hittable - from his 91st to 105th pitches, foes slash .333/.386/.476 off Archer. He's 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA in two starts against the Orioles this season, but 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA in eight games (seven starts) in his career, and 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA in two games (one start) lifetime at Camden Yards.

Drew Smyly has made three August starts since coming back from a shoulder injury, going 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He's still building up arm strength, as his average fastball speed of 90 mph suggests. This month, he's allowed a .229/.270/.446 slash line. Homers have been a problem this season, with Smyly surrendering seven in 30 2/3 innings. Oddly, his numbers are worse when he gets ahead of a hitter than when he gets behind: when he goes 0-1, he allows a .297/.316/.581 slash as opposed to a .158/.250/.342 slash when he goes 1-0. From his 76th to 90th pitches, foes rip him at a .400/.429/.800 clip. In his career, Slyly is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in six games (three starts) against Baltimore, with a 1-0 mark and 1.20 ERA in three games (two starts) in his career at Camden Yards.

Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez makes his fourth appearance and third start of the season on Wednesday night. He's 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA against Baltimore in 2015 and 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts at Camden Yards. His loss on Aug. 28 was his first since July 25; Ramirez had gone 2-0 in five starts between the two defeats. In August, he's 2-1 with a 3.82 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting only .229 off Ramirez, but with runners in scoring position, he's vulnerable. Foes have a .314/.393/.549 off him with runners in scoring position and are slashing .467/.500/.667 with the bases loaded.

Closer Brad Boxberger leads the AL with 32 saves and has been a revelation, and his post-All-Star break struggles now seem like an aberration. Tampa Bay's bullpen has been strong of late, allowing only one earned run in its last 18 2/3 innings.