After Opening Day, how many of you thought the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays would be playing for first place at any point during the 2008 season?

While it’s still only April, the Orioles and Rays are set to begin a three-game series tonight at Camden Yards. Coming into the series, the Rays have won six straight games. They defeated the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox three times each in the last week, so they’ve gained a little bit of respect recently.

After this series, the Rays don’t come back to Baltimore again until Sept. 22. Will those four games have any factor in determining the order in the AL East? OK, so they will still likely decide which team finishes at the bottom of the division, but don’t tell that to these two teams right now. They’re both playing above expectations and it’s refreshing to see some other teams playing competitive baseball.

Pitching matchups

Tuesday 4/29: Garrett Olson (season debut) vs. Jason Hammel (2-1, 4.32)
Wednesday 4/30: TBA vs. Andy Sonnanstine (3-1, 5.28)
Thursday 5/1: Brian Burres (3-1, 2.49) vs. Matt Garza (0-0, 7.62)

Who you should play from the Rays

Carl Crawford, LF – When the Orioles left Tampa Bay on April 13, Crawford was hitting .208 with no home runs, four RBIs and four stolen bases. He’s now hitting .300 with two home runs, 13 RBIs and eight stolen bases. Crawford is leading the American League in runs scored (23) and he also has two doubles and three triples this season. In other words, Crawford is finally playing the way he should be. The statistics will continue to pile up for fantasy owners who picked him for their teams.

Who you should bench from the Rays

Carlos Pena, 1B – Do you think I am crazy for suggesting that you sit a guy who already has four home runs and nine RBIs in five games against the Orioles this season? OK, maybe it is a foolish prediction, but he’s really struggling in 2008. Pena is hitting .200 so far this year and he only has two home runs and four RBIs against the rest of the American League. He doesn’t have any home runs or RBIs since he hit a game-tying shot in the eighth inning against reliever Jamie Walker on April 12.

Who you should play from the Orioles

Ramon Hernandez, C – His .189 batting average is a killer to any fantasy team – trust me, he’s killing mine – but his three home runs and 13 RBIs are extremely valuable at the catcher position. He’s tied for fourth among catchers in home runs and tied for third in RBIs. Every time he gets a big hit, I think there is hope that Hernandez will break out of his season-long slump. Well, maybe this time he’ll finally make me look like a genius. If you’ve got him on your team, it’s probably because there is no one else available. Keep starting him because he won’t hit below .200 for the entire season. At least I hope not.

(Side note: I believe the home run Hernandez hit last night won’t count in most formats until the game is completed and becomes official, but he’ll still get credit for it eventually. That’s why I included it in the totals above.)

Who you should bench from the Orioles

Nick Markakis, RF – Markakis is probably on the level of players that you don’t ever put on your bench – especially for those people who root for the Orioles on a daily basis. Still, it should be noted that he’s struggling lately. Markakis is only 6-for-31 in the nine games since he went 3-for-3 against the New York Yankees on April 18. While it’s not necessary to bench Markakis – he’s still hitting .292 with four home runs, 10 RBIs and 16 runs scored – fantasy owners should be aware of his current slump.