(My Sportsbook) - The Baltimore Orioles try to defeat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the ninth straight time this evening when the two AL East cellar dwellers square off in the second of three weekend contests from Tropicana Field.

Baltimore will give the ball to lefty Brian Burres today in hopes that he can improve his solid 5-4 record and 4.12 ERA. It is important to mention, however, that Burres has been more effective as a reliever this season, as his ERA as a starter sits at 4.88. The last outing for Burres came against the Yankees on July 28th, and he earned a victory by allowing only one earned run in six innings of work.

Tampa will counter with ace Scott Kazmir, who is 7-7 this season with a 3.85 ERA. Kazmir did not allow a single earned run against the Red Sox in his most recent start, but the flame-throwing lefty did not figure in the decision of that contest.

While Burres has no record against Tampa, Kazmir is 2-3 lifetime against the Orioles with a 4.88 ERA.

On Friday, Aubrey Huff belted a three-run homer and Daniel Cabrera threw seven strong innings as the Orioles beat the Devil Rays, 3-1, in the first of three between the clubs.

Cabrera (8-11) yielded four hits and one run, while walking one and striking out three.

Nick Markakis had two hits for the Orioles, who have won eight of 11.

James Shields (8-7) surrendered three runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Carlos Pena had two hits and scored the lone run for the Devil Rays, who have lost two of three.

Baltimore has won nine of 10 from the Devil Rays this year and is 15-2 in the last 17 matchups. Since the start of the 2004 campaign, the Orioles are 39-15 in the series, including a 20-13 mark at the Trop.