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Contrary to popular belief, Chris Archer will not slot into the infield after the trade of Tim Beckham yesterday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

In spite of an ugly 14-7 loss last night at the hands of the Houston Astros, there were a few glimmers of sunshine for the Tampa Bay Rays.

— Lucas Duda continues to show why the front office sought him out before the deadline. Since coming over from the Mets a little less than a week ago, Duda has collected a hit in each game (including three homers), along with four runs and four RBI.

Lucas Duda crushes a solo jack to right-center field for his 20th home run of the season, between the Mets and the Rays!!!

— The team has scored four runs or more in seven of its last nine games. That is, they appear to be slipping out of the offensive funk that has mired them in the second half. It will be up to the pitchers to match that production.

— The Rays are starting to barrel-up the ball once again.

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In the first half of the season, Tampa Bay’s hitters barreled up the ball at a 36% hard-hit rate clip. That’s actually better than the mashing Astros, who the Rays are facing three more times this week. They paired that with a .188 ISO for a lot of extra base hits.

Those rates, however, have fallen in the second half; Hard-Hit rate by 8.4%, and ISO by 30 points. Ray of hope time.

Tampa Bay’s ISO has risen dramatically over the past seven-days, increasing 27 points to .185. They were also able to make firm contact against Houston’s bullpen last night, resulting in five runs from the seventh inning on.

Again, it will be up to the pitchers to match that production.

— Speaking of barreling up the ball, Corey Dickerson continues to show signs of life, going 2-4 last night with a pair of homers. Looking back at his last five games, Dickerson is 6-21 (.286 BA) with three long balls … two of which were opposite field jacks.

—  Brad Miller had a hit (the second hit in his last 12 plate appearances) and scored a run. Plus, he shaved that god awful beard.

For a guy the team is betting on to get toasty, he’ll need to up that productivity.

The New What Next

The Rays look to bounce back and start a run on Tuesday in Houston. Chris Archer (7-6, 3.80 ERA, 3.08 FIP) will get the start, opposite of Mike Fiers (7-5, 3.71 ERA, 4.98 FIP).

Archer again boasted electric stuff on Thursday, collecting 10 strikeouts, but he came away with a no-decision after a blown save by Alex Colome … that had more to do with a misplay by Adeiny Hechavarria and Tim Beckham. Archer has made six consecutive quality starts and has pitched at least six innings in 13 straight. The right-hander has allowed just six earned runs over 19 innings through his three post All-Star Break starts, and continues to pile up strikeouts in bunches.

Fiers has a 2.89 ERA in five July starts in spite of a three run/four inning outing against the Phillies in his last appearance. He’s 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA in three career starts against the Rays, although he settled for a no-decision in their April matchup after he allowed three runs on seven hits (including three home runs). Key Matchups (2-7, 2B), Corey Dickerson (3-8, 2 2B, HR, RBI), Lucas Duda (2-5, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (3-8, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB), Brad Miller (2-8, HR, RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (6-12, HR, 2 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (2-5, 2B), Jesus Sucre (1-2)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/1/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Miller 2B
Hechavarria SS
Bourjos CF
Smith RF
Sucre C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made a roster move following the game last night, optioning RHP Chase Whitley back to Triple-A Durham, and recalling right-handed flame thrower Ryne Stanek.

Whitley threw 43 pitches over three innings last night, and would not have been available again for several days.

Stanek was with the big league squad from mid-May to mid-June, performing to a 5.59 ERA in 11 games.

He has been dazzling since his demotion, allowing just one run over 17-2/3 innings (16 games), with seven hits — for an impressive .119 opponents average — eight walks and 22 strikeouts.

— After fouling a ball off his left foot last night, Steven Souza Jr. was relieved by the negative results of an X-Ray that was taken last night.

Got to see how it feels tomorrow. X-rays were negtive so that’s always a plus, nothing’s wrong structurally with the bone. Hopefully I wake up and feel a lot better than I do now.

— OF Shane Peterson cleared waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham.

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