X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

Rays Roster Moves: Brandon Lowe out for the remainder of the season

By Leave a Comment

The Rays shut Brandon Lowe down for the rest of the season because of quadriceps strain.

The Tampa Bay Rays were dealt a tough blow on Thursday, as manager Kevin Cash confirmed that infielder Brandon Lowe will be shut down for the remainder of the season.

Out since the beginning of July with a right shin bone bruise, Lowe had been slowly tracking towards a return to the big league roster. He, however, suffered a strained quadriceps in his second rehab game with the Durham Bulls while trying to beat out an infield grounder.

The injury marked the end of what had been a promising rookie campaign for Lowe.

The whole season, from basically July, has become a disappointment. He did everything we could ask in the first half for us. Unfortunately, the shin injury comes out, and now this as he’s getting closer. Just not ideal, but we are equipped with some guys that certainly can come in and continue to fill that void. We’ve been doing it.

… But we’re going to miss him.

— Kevin Cash

Lowe will join fellow infielder Yandy Diaz on the shelf for the balance of the season. Both had been two of the more productive hitters on the Rays roster. While there should be a few alternatives on hand to take their place, the loss of Lowe and Diaz is disappointing since Tampa Bay will miss out on a jolt of energy over the final five weeks of action.

TNWN: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part six

By Leave a Comment

  • The Rays walked it off for a third time on the home stand on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After salvaging the final game of what would otherwise be considered a disastrous series against the Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays will make their way to Charm City, where they’ll face the Orioles over the next four days. The Orioles took two of three from Kansas City at home.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Even though the Rays’ offense has not fired on all cylinders of late, they were able to average 4.67 runs per game against the Mariners, up from two runs per game against Detroit. The pitching staff, however, appeared incapable of corraling the tepid Seattle offense. Tampa Bay allowed 22 runs to cross the plate, half of which came with two outs.

Meanwhile, the lowly Orioles handed it to the lowly Royals this week, outscoring them 16-6. However, don’t confuse a two-game win streak for an indicator of anything other than the fact that sometimes the moon is blue. After all, Baltimore has won just five of the last 20 games, and seven games since the All-Star Break.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays are 8-4 against the Orioles this season, including a 4-2 record at Camden Yards. Considering that they could use a few buffer wins before they head to Houston, Tampa Bay needs to win this series.

Pitching Probables

Aside from Ryan Yarbrough (11-3, 3.34 ERA), Kevin Cash has not named any starters for games two through four of this series. Trevor Richards (0-0, 5.40 ERA), a pitcher to be named before Saturday’s ballgame, and Jalen Beeks (5-3, 4.10 ERA) are expected to pitch during the series. Brandon Hyde will counter with Asher Wojciechowski (2-6, 4.84 ERA), Ty Blach (0-1, 10.61 ERA), John Means (6-9, 3.94 ERA), and Dylan Bundy (5-13, 5.03 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Ryan Yarbrough fanned 10 batters while allowing zero runs on three hits with no walks across 6-1/3 innings. Even though he didn’t go as deep into the game, the southpaw was arguably better in this outing than his last one, extending his scoreless streak to 15 frames. His 10 strikeouts were a season-high, and Yarbrough has allowed just one earned run in his last 19-2/3 innings of (0.47 ERA). He further lowered his ERA 3.34 ERA (down from 8.10 at its peak, in April), his WHIP to 0.88, and has 88 punchouts in 105 innings this season. Taking into consideration all of the injuries that have impacted the Rays starting rotation, the team has gained an opportunity to see how good Yarbrough can be. To his credit, the southpaw has taken advantage of pitching without an opener and should get to keep doing so.

Asher Wojciechowski allowed two runs on five hits and three walks across 4-1/3 innings against Boston. He struck out four. The right-hander managed to keep the Red Sox off the board through four innings, but the wheels came off in the fifth. Wojciechowski carries a 4.78 ERA and a 2.8 K/BB over 49 innings this season. He is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two outings (one start) against Tampa Bay this season. Key Matchup: Tommy Pham (2-7, 2B, RBI, BB)

Trevor Richards allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over 3-1/3 innings on Sunday. The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer in the first inning, yet he was able to hold Detroit off the board for the remainder of his outing. He was lifted with 71 pitches (51 strikes, 72% strike rate), as the Rays continue to build him back up to a starting role. Richards now owns a 4.53 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP with a 2.10 K/BB across 115-1/3 big league innings this season.

Ty Blach allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts across 5-1/3 innings against the Red Sox on Sunday. Baltimore staked Blach to a six-run lead, but the Red Sox scored 13 of the final 14 runs in the game, five of which came against Blach. He has allowed at least five runs in three of his four outings this season, so that’s led to some ugly numbers. He is 0-1 with a 12.06 ERA and a 2.30 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and 10 walks across 15-2/3 innings this season. Blach relies upon a heavy 90 mph four-seam fastball with arm-side run and an 80 mph changeup with natural sink, while also mixing in a 76 mph curveball with sharp downward bite and an 83 mph worm-killer slider.

TBA

John Means gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Royals. He struck out five. The southpaw continues to struggle in the second half and is now 1-5 in six starts since the All-Star break with a 7.48 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and a 1.9 K/BB through 27-2/3 innings. Monday’s outing was the first time during that stretch he didn’t serve up a homer. Tampa Bay worked Means over in his last appearance against them, tagging him for six runs on eight hits including three homers. Key Matchups: Mike Brosseau (2-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Guillermo Heredia (2-6, 2B), Erik Sogard (2-3, HR, RBI)

Jalen Beeks gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings on Tuesday against the Mariners. Beeks entered the game in the second inning and turned in three scoreless frames to begin his night. However, things took a turn for the worse when an error allowed the leadoff runner to reach base in the fifth innings, and Beeks went on to allow two hits, a walk, and a wild pitch to account for his two unearned runs. An inning later, he gave up a two-run homer to Tom Murphy, the deciding hit of the contest. Beeks hasn’t been good in the second half, as his ERA has ballooned from 2.79 to 4.10 in seven appearances.

Dylan Bundy allowed one run on five hits with two walks over seven innings against the Royals on Tuesday. He struck out seven. The right-hander turned in his best start in more than a month, yet he settled for a no-decision because of no offense early in the game. Overall, he is 5-13 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP, with 129 strikeouts in 127 innings this season. Bundy is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts (13-1/3 innings) against Tampa Bay this season. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, RBI), Travis d’Arnaud (1-1, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (5-15, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB), Austin Meadows (2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— Not the best rehab news for Brandon Lowe, who was removed from a game in Durham with a left quadriceps strain, which is an unrelated injury to his bruised right leg. He will return to St. Petersburg to be re-evaluated.

— Avisail Garcia (oblique) will begin a short minor league rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Durham. If all goes well, he could rejoin the team by the weekend.

Glasnow, Lowe, Wendle, and Garcia injury updates

By Leave a Comment

Tyler Glasnow could return to the fold in September, albeit in a lesser role.

Three months after Tyler Glasnow last took the mound in a big-league ballgame, it appears that a window of opportunity could be opening for his return to the big league roster before the end of the season.

Glasnow, out since May 10 with forearm concerns, threw 15 fastballs off the mound on Monday and is scheduled for a pair of bullpen sessions on Wednesday and Friday before moving on to live batting practice next week with the team in Houston. If all goes as planned, he will begin a rehab assignment around August 30 with Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

The speed was relatively game-like, everything felt good, so I’m optimistic, for sure. It feels really good.

— Tyler Glasnow

Glasnow’s return comes with a caveat, however: the right-hander likely will not be built up as a starter and will, instead, be used as a relief option if all goes well over the next few weeks.

I’m going to rehab initially out of the ‘pen, I believe. I don’t know if I’ll build up to two innings, I’m not sure. I’m sure it’ll all depend on how I’m feeling with the recovery and whatnot. However they want to use me, I’m down to do whatever.

— Tyler Glasnow

As Juan Toribio (MLB.com) writes, Rays skipper Kevin Cash hasn’t given thought to how the Rays will use Glasnow.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the team hasn’t given any thought if Glasnow would be used as an opener or in the backend of the bullpen. Regardless of his role, if Tampa Bay can get Glasnow, who led the American League with a 1.86 ERA before landing on the 60-day injured list, he’ll give the Rays an added boost as they look to secure one of the two American League Wildcard spots.

— Juan Toribio

Meanwhile, another hurler working his way back from an injury, southpaw Blake Snell, is on track to return in September.

Tampa Bay is also missing a few banged-up position players, including Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle, and Avisail Garcia. There’s positive news on all three.

Lowe is progressing in his rehab assignment, which has been moved to Triple-A Durham.

Lowe continues to progress and said he feels good in spite of “not being 100%” with the injury. His biggest challenges thus far have been his mobility, although he told Toribio that he’s taken significant strides in those areas and hopes to return during the next road trip.

I’m itching to get back. I’m hoping that it’s not very long, but it’s something we’re going to find out while we’re (in Durham) and test it.

— Brandon Lowe

As with Lowe, Wendle has been trending in the right direction as he works his way back from a wrist injury that he suffered in late July. The infielder said his wrist feels good and hopes to return after a handful of games with Durham.

Everything is feeling really good. It’s just a matter of getting some at-bats and making sure when I come back I’m productive and ready to go.

— Joey Wendle

As for Garcia, who was placed on the IL on Wednesday with an oblique strain, an MRI on Friday revealed that the injury isn’t especially serious, and the outfielder probably won’t miss more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Garcia took batting practice in the cage on Monday, and the plan is for him to take on-field batting practice on Tuesday, and then play one rehab game towards the end of this week.

TNWN: Rays vs Mariners — a series preview, part two

By Leave a Comment

  • Pure joy Choi. Rays 1B/DH hit a two-run walk-off single on Sunday to cap a series win against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After taking two out of three from the Detroit Tigers, including a pair of walk-off wins, the Tampa Bay Rays play welcome to the Mariners — a team they swept in Seattle a week ago — who will visit the Trop for the first and only time this season. The Mariners took two out of three from the Blue Jays this weekend past.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

True, Tampa Bay hasn’t lit up the scoreboard of late, however, they have won seven of 10, while averaging 4.2 runs per game along the way. The luck dragons have nipped at the Rays heels, limiting the ballclub to a .268 BABIP over the last 14 days — 39 points under their season mark of .307. Their luck has changed before, and their luck should change again.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has performed well over that stretch, allowing 3.4 runs per game on average while limiting the opposition to four runs or fewer eight times over that stretch. Not bad for a pitching staff that has been hit hard by injuries.

In contrast, the Mariners have won just five of their last 10 games, although they have outscored the Rays over that span by two runs (44). Seattle’s bullpen, one of its biggest weak spots, has been awful the last 14 days, maintaining a combined 4.90 ERA and 5.10 FIP.

The Mariners are a beatable team, and the Rays have fared well against sub .500 teams this season, and especially of late going 9-4. Regardless of the offensive lag, Tampa Bay needs to win at least five of the next seven games before the team faces competitive opponents at the end of the month. That all starts now.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Brendan McKay (2-2, 5.08 ERA), a pitcher to be named before Tuesday’s contest, and Charlie Morton (13-5, 2.77 ERA). Scott Servais is expected to counter with Marco Gonzales (12-10, 4.26 ERA), Tommy Milone (2-7, 4.69 ERA), and Wade LeBlanc (6-7, 5.40 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Brendan McKay gave up four runs on five hits and six walks while striking out seven across four innings against the Padres. McKay entered the game having issued just three walks over 29-2/3 innings but doubled that amount in his four frames against San Diego. He wasn’t efficient, throwing only 45 of 83 pitches for strikes (54% strike rate) although he made batters miss when he did get the ball over the plate, collecting seven strikeouts among the 12 total outs he recorded. The left-hander now sports an unsightly 5.08 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 4.44 K/BB over 33-2/3 innings.

Marco Gonzales allowed three runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings against the Tigers on Wednesday. The first three innings looked ugly, as Gonzales allowed eight hits and three runs. Yet the 27-year-old pitched to contact and worked his way out of trouble to turn in a quality start. Gonzales has pitched at least six innings in 16 starts this season, although he has a 4.26 ERA with 116 strikeouts. The left-hander was good against the Rays on August 9, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine in 6-1/3 innings of work. Key Matchups: Jesus Aguilar (3-8, HR, 3 RBI), Michael Brosseau (1-3, RBI), Matt Duffy (3-8, 2B, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (1-2, BB)

TBA

Tommy Milone allowed two runs on six hits, with no walks and three strikeouts across four innings against the Tigers on Thursday. Matt Wisler opened the game, while no Seattle pitcher threw more than an inning other than Milone. Milone enters play with a 4.69 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts across 78-2/3 innings (16 appearances), which includes five starts this season. The Rays beat up on Milone on August 10, tagging the southpaw for five runs on six hits (including three home runs) across four innings. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2, 2B), Jesus Aguilar (1-2), Michael Brosseau (1-2), Kevin Kiermaier (3-4, HR, RBI), Mike Zunino (5-10, 3 HR, 6 RBI, BB)

Charlie Morton gave up an unearned run on three hits over seven innings while striking out 10 against the Tigers on Friday. Matt Duffy’s fourth-inning error led to the only blemish on Morton’s line and stuck him with his second loss in three August starts. Still, the right-hander has been outstanding since the beginning of July, fanning double-digit batters in five of his nine turns with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and an 8.22 K/BB over 56 innings. Morton allowed four runs on nine hits against the Mariners on August 10, while striking out nine over six innings.

Wade LeBlanc allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings against the Blue Jays on Friday. LeBlanc entered the contest in the second inning with a two-run lead, but he was rocked for three runs in the second, three in the third and another in the seventh en route to a 7-3 loss. He’s now been saddled with four consecutive losses and sits with an unimpressive 5.40 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 105 innings this season. Nevertheless, LeBlanc was very good against Tampa Bay on August 11, allowing one run on five hits (including a homer) over six innings of work. Key Matchups: Jesus Aguilar (2-3), Micahel Brosseau (1-3), Travis d’Arnaud (1-3), Tommy Pham (2-6, HR, RBI), Eric Sogard (3-5, HR, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays enter play a game behind Cleveland for the first AL Wildcard spot, and 1-1/2 games ahead of the Athletics for the second Wildcard spot.

Per FanGraphs, they improved their chances of a postseason berth to 74.3%. Baseball Prospectus views Tampa Bay similarly, giving the Rays a 78.2% chance of a playoff berth.

— Both Joey Wendle (wrist) and Brandon Lowe (shin) were back at the Trop after their rehabilitation assignments in Port Charlotte. The infielders are said to be feeling much better, and will fly to Durham Monday afternoon to join the Durham Bulls beginning Tuesday. If all goes as planned, they can rejoin the big league squad by the end of the week.

Rays look for a series win against Detroit on Sunday

By Leave a Comment

17,228 came out to the old ballpark to watch the Rays defeat the Tigers in extra innings, 1-0. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a 1-0 extra-inning win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays will go for a series win this afternoon. The Rays snapped a 29-2/3 inning scoreless streak with Mike Brosseau’s walk-off RBI hit in the 13th inning, while Ryan Yarbrough was impressive once again.

Tampa Bay enters play one game behind Cleveland for the top Wildcard spot, and 1/2 game ahead of the Athletics for the final playoff spot with 38 games left to play. With the victory, FanGraphs upped the Rays chances of a playoff berth by 1/2 of a percent, to 69.9% (Baseball Prospectus has them at 78.2%).

Yarbrough fanned 10 batters while allowing zero runs on three hits with no walks across 6-1/3 innings. Even though he didn’t go as deep into the game, the southpaw was arguably better in this outing than his last one, extending his scoreless streak to 15 frames. His 10 strikeouts were a season-high, and Yarbrough has allowed just one earned run in his last 19-2/3 innings of (0.47 ERA). He further lowered his ERA 3.34 ERA (down from 8.10 at its peak, in April), his WHIP to 0.88, and has 88 punchouts in 105 innings this season. Taking into consideration all of the injuries that have impacted the Rays starting rotation, the team has gained an opportunity to see how good Yarbrough can be. To his credit, the southpaw has taken advantage of pitching without an opener and should get to keep doing so.

The relief corps combined to strikeout 14 more hitters after Yarbrough’s departure. Thanks to the dazzling pitching performances, Tampa Bay set a Major League record of 24 strikeouts and no walks.

Unfortunately, the Rays continued to scuffle offensively; struggles which extended back to the second inning of Wednesday’s contest against the Padres. The 29-2/3 innings scoreless streak was the second-longest stretch without a run in team history (31 innings in 2014). Last night, the first 10 hitters were retired in order by Jordan Zimmerman, who entered the game with a 7.13 ERA.

Tampa Bay had its best chance to win the game in the 11th inning. Mike Zunino led off the frame with a walk on four pitches against David McKay. Guillermo Heredia eventually pinch-ran for the backstop. Eric Sogard followed with a single to right before Tommy Pham chopped a ball to second for the first out, allowing both runners to move into scoring position. After Austin Meadows was walked intentionally, consequently loading the bases, Travis d’Arnaud grounded into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play — making the Rays hitless in their last 17 chances with the bases loaded.

Redemption came two innings later, however. Sogard started the game-winning rally with a two-out double to deep right against Matt Hall. Tommy Pham was walked intentionally bringing Brosseau — the last available position player available off the bench — to the plate. Brosseau hit 91 mph 2-2 fastball into the right-center gap, scoring the winning run. It was Brosseau’s first career walk-off.

From Marc Topkin’s (Tampa Bay Times) lips to your ears:

The Rays have shown how good they can be offensively in spurts. And they continue to remind how bad they can be in stretches that go on longer than they’d like. The key to making it to the playoffs is going to be flattening out those spikes and drops. The Rays have to be more consistent.

— Marc Topkin

The New What Next

Trevor Richards (0-0, 1.69 ERA at Triple-A) will get the start in his first appearance with Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Matthew Boyd (6-9, 4.38 ERA).

Trevor Richards was called up from Durham with Peter Fairbanks optioned. He has given up one run while striking out eight over 5-1/3 innings in three appearances with Triple-A Durham. He, however, has not gone more than 2-1/3 innings in that span. Expect Richards to throw somewhere in the ballpark of 49 to 60 pitches this afternoon.

Matthew Boyd allowed seven runs (six earned) over 5-1/3 innings of work on Tuesday against the Mariners. He gave up seven hits and walked two while striking out four. Boyd was victimized four times by Seattle long balls…and the home run ball has been a big problem for Boyd. He was tagged for three homers in his last start, in which he allowed five runs in over 2-2/3 innings. On the season, Boyd has now allowed 30 home runs across 146 innings, and his ERA climbed to 4.38 after the rough start Tuesday. Over his career, Boyd is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2, RBI), Guillermo Heredia (3-4, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Tigers — a series preview, part two

Rays 8/18/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Pham LF
  2. Duffy 3B
  3. Meadows RF
  4. D’Arnaud 1B
  5. Adames SS
  6. Aguilar DH
  7. Brosseau 2B
  8. Zunino C
  9. Heredia CF

Noteworthiness

— Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe both played for the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Saturday, and are expected to play in Port Charlotte again today. Wendle went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Lowe went 0-for-3 with a walk. Both are expected to continue their rehab assignments in Durham before they are activated from the IL.

— Kevin Cash used Brendan McKay as a pinch-runner for DH Jesus Aguilar in the seventh inning, which could be the start of something. Cash, who has avoided any temptation to take advantage of Brendan McKay’s two-way abilities, said he would have stayed in to hit had the Tigers put a right-hander on the mound.