BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays start a four-game series at Camden Yards on Thursday that means a whole lot to the hosts while the visitors will be simply playing spoiler.Baltimore (80-65) comes into the series after taking two of three in Boston and pulling to within one game of Boston (81-64) in the American League East and moving past Toronto into second place by one game.Also, the Orioles now are on top of the wild-card race, leading the Blue Jays (79-66) by that one game and Detroit (78-67) by two. The Orioles will have plenty of chance to make noise in the final 17 games with 14 coming versus American League East teams.The guys have earned the right to play these types of games, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said on masnsports.com. Its a very quiet confidence. Theyre not guys who toot their own horn. They kind of like when people sell them short, and now were going back to a place, our city, that gets them and gets what theyre doing for the last four years.Mark Trumbo hit his major league-best 42nd homer in the second inning Wednesday, and that gave the Orioles a 1-0 victory over the Red Sox in the series finale. Zach Britton earned his 43rd save in 43 chances in the ninth inning after Kevin Gausman threw eight shutout innings.The Orioles have struggled on the road all season but are coming off a trip where they took two of three versus Tampa Bay, Detroit and the Red Sox to go 6-3 overall.Baltimore now is 35-40 on the road but boasts a much stronger 45-25 record at Camden Yards, where the team plays its next 11 games -- these four versus the Rays (62-83) before taking on Boston (four games) and Arizona (three).Baltimore stands 11-4 this season versus the Rays, the most wins for the Orioles against any other club. In addition, the Orioles have a 6-0 record at home against Tampa Bay.The Orioles still have a few injury problems. Theyre hoping to get set-up man Darren ODay back from the disabled list Sunday or right after that. Joey Rickard should be activated from the DL Monday, Showalter told the media in Boston on Wednesday.Steve Pearce received a PRP injection in his right elbow/arm on Wednesday, and his status remains unclear at this time.Yovani Gallardo will start for the Orioles in the series opener. They skipped him the last time through the rotation as the right-handers struggled this season, going 5-7 with a 5.44 ERA.The Rays (62-83) come into the series after two consecutive wins over the struggling Jays. Corey Dickerson and Kevin Kiermaier both homered in Wednesdays 8-1 victory over Toronto, giving the club a new record of 200 homers in one season.Blake Snell (5-8, 3.62 ERA) lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his last start, a loss to the Yankees on Sept. 9. He gave up three runs and made 88 pitches in that short time.Also, this will be his first start ever versus Baltimore.Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said even though his teams long been out of the playoff picture, games versus the American League East give them a good look at where theyre at.You gauge yourself against the teams you play in your division, Cash said. For whatever reason, weve played some good games against (Toronto). Thats a trend we need to continue against the rest of the division. Jacoby Brissett Jersey . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. Ryan Kelly Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. http://www.coltsfansshop.com/Colts-Ty-Hilton-Draft-Jersey/ . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Quenton Nelson Jersey . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Reggie Wayne Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball.Chris Brunt has opened up to Sky Sports News HQ about his devastation at missing Euro 2016 because of a serious knee injury. The Northern Ireland and West Brom midfielder has revealed how he broke down in tears as he told family members the news that his European dream was over.Brunt ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during West Broms 3-2 win against Crystal Palace and speaking at The Belfry, he described the moment a call from the West Brom doctor confirmed his worst fears. The scans the next day revealed it all and I was in a bad place on that Sunday afternoon, said Brunt, who was at home when the call came. Chris Brunt (left) opens up to Sky Sports News HQ reporter Paul Gilmour It was gutting. My wife was out and I phoned her but I had to hang up. I then phoned my mum and dad and ended up hanging up on them as well. It was just too emotional. Im pretty laid back and things dont tend to get to me, but that was tough to take.The blow is extremely unfair given senior Northern Ireland players, of which Brunt is one, view Euro 2016 as a once-in-a-lifetime reward following years of failed qualifying attempts. Brunt will have to watch his Northern Ireland team-mates this summer in France He added: Weve worked so hard. The games we qualified were great occasions. A few months down the line, things begin to build up [to the tournament]. Id booked for the family to come over to watch.There were the friendlies in March to look forward to and it has all been taken away with one innocuous moment. Im devastated about the games in the summer but its one of those things. Ill get my head down and get back as quick as possible.The 31-year old made his international debut 12 years ago, and in another cruel twist his operation took place in Lyon, just miles from Northern Irelands training base for the tournament. Manager Michael ONeill, attending a UEFA workshop in Paris, visited him in hospital. Brunt suffered his injury against Crystal Palace in February It was a bright point in a bad day, added Brunt. He said that whatever way Id like to be involved they would make it happen. Itll depend on rehab schedules at West Brom.Obviously I cant play in the games but Id like to go and experience it in some shape or form and support the lads who have supported me.The injjury occurred during a game in which West Brom fans visibly backed Brunt after he was struck by a coin, thrown from a section of his own support, the previous Saturday in an FA Cup tie at Reading.dddddddddddd Brunt was struck by a coin thrown from a section of his own support against Reading It was a pretty good week, he joked. Thats done and dusted now. It was a strange one to be involved in, experiencing two sets of emotions - from anger to disappointment [in the space of seven days].In 10 to 20 years time, its one Ill look back on as a week Ill not want to remember.He was, however, full of praise for Albion supporters who raised money for his chosen charities in the aftermath of the coin incident. West Brom fans hold up a banner in support of Brunt It was a great gesture, a lovely gesture, he added. It wasnt something Id want to happen in the circumstances but at least something good came of it and it was great to get their support.He has also praised the clubs medical staff and the many well wishers for their messages. Brunt may now consider what impact this setback will have on his international career as he prepares to fully focus on club football in the coming years. 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