X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

LBWMF: Rays win fourth in a row, 6-3 over Kansas City

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That five games over .500 feeling. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

For the first time in 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays are five games over .500. Tampa Bay beat Kansas City on Wednesday night, 6-3, and remain unbeaten in six games against the Royals.

Ryne Stanek opened with two perfect frames on 22 pitches, striking out a pair and bouncing back from a weekend appearance in which he allowed two runs (between Monday’s scoreless outing and Wednesday).

In the home half of the second, the bottom of the order put Tampa Bay on the board by two. The two-out rally started when Michael Perez singled to center ahead of Carlos Gomez, who doubled him into third. Brandon Lowe, who had been off to a sluggish start until recently, grounded a single to center, driving in both Perez and Gomez.

After Yonny Chirinos, who followed Stanek, threw a scoreless third, Whit Merrifield homered off the left field foul pole to begin the fourth, making it a 2-1 ballgame. It was one of two hits allowed by Chirinos over his first five innings of work.

Up by one, Tampa Bay added to the lead in the sixth. Willy Adames singled to center with one out then moved into third when Perez lashed a ball that glanced off Merrifield’s glove which was scored an error. with runners on the corners, Gomez laid down a safety squeeze, scoring Adames for a two-run advantage.

With a runner still at second, southpaw hurler Tim Hill entered in relief of Junis, although he wasn’t too effective; Hill relinquished back-to-back two-strike hits to the left-handed hitting Lowe and Mallex Smith. The second one scored Perez, putting Tampa Bay up by three.

Chirinos took the mound in the eighth inning and gave up a single to Ryan O’Hearn before Hunter Dozier hit a two-run homer to center, again making it a one-run contest. Kevin Cash then went to his bullpen.

For Chirinos, the right-hander flat-out dealt for five-plus innings, yet he also allowed a costly two-run homer. At the end of the day, he was credited with his second win of the season, although his three earned runs inflated his ERA from 3.96 to 4.02.

Adam Kolarek took over for Chirinos and got the first out on a comebacker. The right-handed Chaz Roe was summoned from the ‘pen to face Alcides Escobar and Merrifield, though he allowed a double to former. Thankfully he stuck out the latter for the second out. With the left-handed hitting Alex Gordon stepping into the batter’s box, Kevin Cash called on flame-throwing southpaw Jose Alvarado, who fanned the outfielder to end the frame.

Alvarado looked particularly nasty, with his upper 90’s fastball boasting a lot of lateral movement.

In the bottom of the eighth, Tampa Bay was able to tack on a pair of two-out insurance runs against former Ray Jason Hammel. Gomez started the rally with a one-out single, then stole his way into scoring position. And though Lowe struck out, Smith drove in his second RBI of the game on a base hit, then moved up to second on the throw to the plate. Matt Duffy followed with an RBI hit, capping the Rays scoring at six.

Finally, Sergio Romo took the mound in the ninth inning and quickly got two outs before he allowed a single to Rosell Herrera, who moved into second on defensive indifference a pitch later. Ryan O’Hearn was next, grounding a ball into the hole at short where Duffy was positioned due to the shift. Duffy made an impressive play, diving to his glove side to field the ball and attempting to gun down O’Hearn at first, yet the Royals DH beat the ball to the bag. Nevertheless, Cron made a heads up play, firing the ball home when he saw that Herrera was trying to come around to score. This time that runner did not beat the ball to the plate, resulting in a 6-3-2 third out, the Rays 66th win of the season, and Romo’s career save 102.

All told, the Rays collected 14 hits for a second straight night. Six players had multi-hit games, and the bottom third of the order scored four of the six runs and drove in three.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay wraps up the four-game series with the Royals on Thursday with Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 3.38 ERA) getting the start. He’ll be opposed by Danny Duffy (7-11, 4.90 ERA).

Tyler Glasnow put the Rays in an early four-run hole on Saturday, struggling through a 28-pitch first inning.

Yet after allowing four runs on back-to-back doubles, three consecutive walks, two steals and a Jake Bauers throwing error, Glasnow settled in and worked impressively into the seventh. The right-hander retired his final 12 batters, and 17 of his last 18 overall, following J.D. Martinez’s majors-most 38th homer in the third inning.

In his fourth outing since coming to Tampa Bay, Glasnow worked a career-high 6-2/3 innings, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out four on 94 pitches (50 strikes, 53% strike rate, 15/25 first-pitch strikes).

Glasnow didn’t have his best stuff, with only his fastball as the most reliable offering.

I just kind of realized this is what I had today and just go out and compete as hard as I can and get out of that fix-it mode. I went out after the first and did what I had to do, Glasnow said. In Pittsburgh things like that would happen and I wasn’t able to go out and complete the day so I’m definitely happy with going back out after the first and getting through 6-2/3.

Danny Duffy coughed up up six runs on eight hits and a walk across 5-1/3 innings while striking out two against the Cardinals prior to being placed on the DL. The southpaw has now been tagged for six or more runs three times in his last four starts, sending his ERA soaring back up to 4.90. In spite of that, Duffy is 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchup: Carlos Gomez (3-7, 2B)

Rays 8/23/18 Starting Lineup

Smith LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Wendle 2B
Adames SS
Kiermaier CF
Gomez RF
Sucre C
Glasnow RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Royals part two — a series preview

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays — a series preview

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From one dome to another. The Rays head to Toronto for a three-game series, starting Friday. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays are set to start a three-game series on Friday night, at the Rogers Centre. Tampa Bay is coming off a series win against the Baltimore Orioles, while Toronto dropped two-of-three to the Red Sox, thanks to some atrocious pitching.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

An anomalous appearance by Sergio Romo in the second game of the series against Baltimore — resulting in a loss — notwithstanding, the Rays did what they set out to do: win the series. Jake Bauers came up big, driving in six of Tampa Bay’s 13 runs including four in the series finale. Mallex Smith also did his part, going 3-11 with five runs over the last three games.

Toronto, on the other hand, had nothing to show for its efforts against Boston, dropping two-of-three. After three straight games where they were very impressive against Seattle, the Jays’ streaky pitching staff struggled once again — allowing just six total runs in the first three games against the Mariners, but a whopping 31 runs in the four that followed. The bullpen has been the largest contributor to their poor spate of play, with the relievers carrying an 11.40 ERA over the last five games.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

As always, the Blue Jays represent a powerful team that can hit the ball long distances. That being said, Toronto also strikes out at a decent clip and doesn’t walk a ton. The Rays pitching staff must keep the Jays in the ballpark, while Bauers and company need to jump on any mistakes they may see at the plate.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days Kevin Cash will lean on Blake Snell (12-5, 2.27 ERA), Jake Faria (4-3, 5.26 ERA), and Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 2.57 ERA). John Gibbons will counter with Marco Estrada (5-8, 4.65 ERA), Sam Gaviglio (1-4, 5.25 ERA), and Marcus Stroman (4-8, 5.20 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed one run on three hits and two walks over four innings while striking out three against the ChiSox, in his first start since recovering from shoulder fatigue. Snell was limited to 59 pitches (34 strikes, 54% strike rate) but delivered a solid effort, with the only run against him coming via a Jose Abreu homer. The southpaw will likely get stretched out a little further in his next outing Friday.

Marco Estrada allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over seven innings in a win over Seattle on Saturday. The right-hander wasn’t exactly dominant (just eight swinging strikes on 93 pitches), yet he was successful at pitching to contact, as the Mariners couldn’t find any holes in the field. After outperforming his peripherals for a few seasons, Estrada has crashed hard the last two years with all the homers finally catching up to him. His 10.4% strikeout-to-walk rate this season is his worst mark since 2008. Estrada held the Rays scoreless over six innings on May 6th but is 1-8 with a 4.54 ERA in 15 career appearances (11 starts) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), CJ Cron (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-6, 3 RBI), Carlos Gomez (3-3), Kevin Kiermaier (8-23, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Jesus Sucre (1-2, HR, RBI)

Jake Faria was credited with the win in Wednesday’s 7-2 victory over the Angels, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over 3-2/3 innings of relief. He struck out four on 68 pitches (41 strikes, 60% strike rate). Faria entered the game in relief of Tyler Glasnow, though he wasn’t exactly sharp. Even so, he limited the damage from his lack of control and benefited from a couple of big innings by the Rays offense.

Sam Gaviglio allowed three earned runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning seven across 5-2/3 innings Sunday against Seattle — falling one out shy of a quality start and was pulled after 89 pitches and walking consecutive batters in the sixth inning. His seven strikeouts (including 11 swinging strikes) marked his second-best performance in an outing this season. While Gaviglio has a solid 74 strikeouts across 78 frames this season, he has only two quality starts in 15 chances and has struggled to post useful peripherals (5.08 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). He allowed five earned runs on seven hits (including a home run) over 3-1/3 innings in his last start against the Rays and is 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in two career starts against the good guys. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-1, RBI), Jake Bauers (2-2, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Matt Duffy (2-3), Mallex Smith (1-2, RBI), Joey Wendle (1-1, RBI)

Tyler Glasnow made his second start for the Rays on Monday, but because he had been used as a reliever in Pittsburgh, Glasnow was on a pitch count of four innings or 60 pitches and will continue to be until he is fully stretched out.

Over his first two frames, Glasnow struck out five of six batters on 98 mph fastballs and low 80’s curveballs that were hard to time up due to the speed differential and the movement.

Baltimore got its first baserunner with two outs in the third, when Caleb Joseph singled and swiped second, but Glasnow struck out Jonathan Villar on four pitches, setting up a filthy 86 mph slider with a trio of fastballs.

Tim Beckham, ever the intrepid fastball hunter, led off the fourth inning with a solo home run when Glasnow’s velocity dropped a touch, but that was the only damage incurred against the tall right-hander.

All told, Glasnow struck out nine and walked none — not bad for a guy with a reputation of having control issues.

Following the game, Glasnow told reporters he feels comfortable with Tampa Bay and is pitching more athletically than trying to control his delivery.

I felt good physically and I wanted to go out and attack, Glasnow was quoted as saying.

The next step for Glasnow is to prove he’s capable of going five or six innings per outing.

Marcus Stroman suffered an injury that forced him to leave Tuesday’s game after seven innings; a blister on his right middle finger. The right-hander cruised through Boston’s lineup before he was pulled during warmups prior to the eighth inning. And while Stroman said he “won’t be missing (his) next start,” everything will depend on his progress over the next few days. He has dealt with the blister issue throughout the season. He has relied primarily on a whiffy 93 mph sinker with natural sinking action and a sweeping 86 mph slider with two-plane movement, while also mixing in a 91 mph worm-killer cutter, an 83 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement, a 93 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph changeup with slight arm side fade. Stroman is 5-4 with a 4.37 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-8), Matt Duffy (2-5. 2B, BB), Carlos Gomez (2-2, HR, 3 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (8-28, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Mallex Smith (1-4, 2B)

Noteworthiness

— Key number: six, as in the Rays have played six consecutive one-run ballgames. They’ve gone 2-4 over that stretch.

— The Rays recently announced their MLB Player’s Weekend nicknames, with newcomers Tyler Glassnow (Mini Horse) and Jalen Beeks (Beeker) clearly winning:

Rays look to salvage series vs. ChiSox on Sunday; Robertson likely out for remainder of season

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Busted out the old timer for Saturday’s reunion ceremony. As it turns, it doesn’t fit very well after a decade. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a back-to-back one-run losses against the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays enter the series finale in salvage mode. The Rays start the day 9-1/2 out of the final Wildcard spot, but seven behind the slumping Mariners, and in need of a victory to stay above the .500 mark.

As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, Tampa Bay now has had 19 losses this year when allowing three runs or fewer, and 11 defeats when giving up two runs or less. That’s the most in the majors in each category. The Rays are now 20-25 in one-run games.

Brandon Lowe, promoted to the big leagues yesterday, is slated to make his Major League debut this afternoon for the Rays. When he takes the field, he will become the 20th rookie used by the team this season — extending a club record, which also is the most in the majors.

The rush of emotions was unbelievable, said Lowe. Honestly, it’s all pretty shocking to me. I wasn’t thinking of it at all.

I wrote about the 2015 third-round pick from Maryland yesterday:

The Rays promoted INF/OF Brandon Lowe from Triple-A Durham to fill Robertson’s spot on the roster. Lowe has had a tremendous year thus far, slashing .291 BA/.400 OBP/.508 SLG/.908 OPS/.404 wOBA/153 wRC+, with 37 runs, 41 RBI, and eight home runs with Double-A Montgomery. He was promoted to Durham (when Jake Bauers made the leap to the bigs) where he performed to a .304 BA/.380 OBP/.613 SLG/.993 OPS/.432 wOBA/177 wRC+ line, with 36 runs, 35 RBI, and 14 homers in 45 games (205 plate appearances).

Lowe was ranked the ninth best second base prospect by MLB Pipeline, and the 30th best Rays prospect by Baseball America prior to the start of the 2018 season. A good comparison to Lowe would be Joe Panik, although the biggest difference between the two would be defensive abilities. To his credit, Lowe has good footwork and defensive skills at second base, but he did have his share of defensive woes in Double-A last season, which could be attributed to a pair of injuries; a torn ACL in 2013 and a broken left fibula in 2015.

Lowe has had a quick ascension through the Rays system, winning MVP honors just a season ago with the advanced Class-A Florida State League, then jumping two levels in the 2018 campaign.

However, Lowe’s ascent arose out of a closed door/open window type of scenario when UTL Daniel Robertson was placed on the 10-day DL with a left thumb sprain.

Robertson saw team hand specialist Dr. Doug Carlan this morning, and the prognosis was not good, which Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke to.

We probably knew that surgery, or no surgery, he was going to miss most of the (remainder of the) season, if not all of it. (Robertson has been) such a big part, even once the game started (Saturday), not having him out there. Not having him on the bench to do different things, it’s going to hurt. We’re going to need to kind of dive into our versatility a little more.

Robby wasn’t just versatile. He was good wherever you put him, and he was giving good at-bats. So, tough guy to replace.

Robertson will undergo surgery on his left thumb in next few days, likely spelling an end to his 2018 season.

Not good news, said Robertson, who noted he’ll have the surgery either Tuesday or Thursday. I’m not a math guy, but six to eight weeks, and we’ve got about seven weeks of the season left. Probably not going to be a need to push it. If there’s something going on, we’re making a late push, maybe. But it’s something I just have to take day by day to get it cleaned up.

Robertson was diagnosed with a sprained left thumb following Friday’s game against Chicago and was advised to undergo surgery to correct the damaged finger. While an official timetable for Robertson’s return to baseball activities won’t be established until the procedure his conducted, such surgeries typically keep position players sidelined for around two months.

Joey Wendle is expected to serve as the Rays’ primary option at second base while Robertson is on the mend.

The New What Next

Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.05 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, while LHP Ryan Yarbrough (10-5, 4.02 ERA) is available for length. They’ll be opposed by former Ray James Shields (4-13, 4.56 ERA)

Wood will open for the fifth time this season. In the first four outings, he has allowed one run total. Wood opened the series finale against Angels (in the last series) and threw two shutout innings, fanning five.

Yarbrough allowed six earned runs on nine hits and a HBP over five innings on Tuesday. He struck out four. Yarbrough cruised through his first three innings in relatively uneventful fashion, but that all began to change in the fifth — ironically, after he’d been staked to a nine-run lead — when he allowed a two-run home run to Kole Calhoun. A pair of RBI singles followed in the sixth, and the southpaw gave up the sixth run of his outing when Mike Trout took him deep in the seventh.

Shields allowed four runs on five hits across seven innings on Tuesday. He struck out eight and walked three. Shields tossed four scoreless innings before giving up a couple two-run homers, one in the fifth inning and the other in the seventh. Shields now has the second-most losses in the big league (trailing another former Ray Alex Cobb, who has 14), yet his 1.29 WHIP and .237 batting average against are both respectable figures. The right-hander has been susceptible to the long ball — giving up 20 on the season — while sporting a run-of-the-mill 2 K/BB over 144 innings. Still, the workhorse is 3-0 with a pristine 1.37 ERA in four career starts against his former team. Key Matchups: Carlos Gomez (5-11, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, BB), Tommy Pham (1-3, HR, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs White Sox part two — a series preview

Rays 8/5/18 Starting Lineup

Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Wendle 2B
Choi DH
Kiermaier CF
Lowe LF
Perez C
Adames SS
Wood RHP

Noteworthiness

— Per Solondz, the White Sox starters have kept the Rays off balance in this series by throwing less than 50 percent fastballs in each of the first two games, and expect Shields to do the same.

— Try not to sound too optimistic or anything, Stu:

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg said feedback from the group of business leaders backing the push for the proposed Ybor City stadium continues to be positive, writes Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) “There’s optimism,” he said. “I’ve met with the business guys a bit, and they’re optimistic, but we’ll see. Having the stadium (design) out there now and everybody seeing it is very helpful to them and ideally it’s helpful for anybody that wants baseball in Tampa Bay.”

As the saying goes, confidence walks in silence, and well…

Rays 7/29/18 pregame notes, injury update (Ramos, Snell, Nuno), Archer trade rumors

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Jesus Sucre and the Rays can earn a series split with a win this afternoon, in Baltimore. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a pair of blowouts by the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back on Sunday, and earn a series split of the four-game set in Baltimore. Tampa Bay is 6-6 this season against Baltimore, but has allowed 10 runs or more in three of the last four games at Camden Yards. In spite of the loss though, the Rays start the day 8-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot thanks to losses by both the Mariners and Athletics — but 1/2 game behind the Angels, who will start a series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Rays have had a tough time on the road over the past couple of months, going 7-19 since May 31st. By comparison, they have won 17 of their last 21 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay has allowed at least 10 runs four times.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (0-2, 3.78 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos was recalled from Durham on the last home stand, and he pitched well in his last turn on the mound. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in 6-2/3 innings on Tuesday. It was the longest start of his big-league career, as Chirinos threw 87 pitches (60 strikes, 69% strike rate) and faced 27 batters. With Yonny fully stretched out, he should be good for 90+ pitches this afternoon.

Dylan Bundy has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts, and he’s given up five homers total over that stretch. Bundy has faced Tampa Bay twice this  season, giving up eight runs in 4-2/3 innings in a 9-5 Rays win at the Trop in April, but blanking them over seven shutout innings in a 17-1 loss in Baltimore. All told, Bundy is 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3, 2B), Carlos Gomez (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Mallex Smith (4-9, RBI, 2 BB), Joey Wendle (2-6, 2B, RBI)

Rays 7/29/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Perez C
Robertson 2B
Smith CF
Gomez RF
Adames SS
Chirinos RHP

Noteworthiness

— With the trade deadline looming on July 31 at 4:00 PM, there is nothing Chris Archer can do but sit, wait, and wonder if he’ll make his next start in a Rays uniform Tuesday night.

Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he was “curious” how the situation was going to be resolved after Friday’s so-so six-inning outing.

He plans to distance himself from the speculation over the next few days.

The way I have chosen to handle it is try and be as disconnected as possible. Trying to figure it out is literally impossible.

I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with my teammates regardless of the situation. We have a bunch of young, bright faces in here and it’s fun to be around them.

Atlanta, San Diego and and the Evil Empire are considered among the most interested teams, while weekend reports suggest Los Angeles and Pittsburgh may be added to the list.

Yet still…

Well put, Cespedes Family BBQ.

— The chances Wilson Ramos to be traded by Tuesday’s deadline have diminished with the news that a rehab outing planned for Monday will likely be pushed back due to how his strained left hamstring felt catching Vidal Nuno’s live batting practice during a workout on Saturday in Port Charlotte.

Wilson had a good day but I think he realized that it’s probably not quite going to happen on Monday, manager Kevin Cash said. I think he got really excited and realized once you add some adrenaline in there, it’s not the easiest thing to manage yourself running down a line or popping up out of a catching crouch. So he’s probably going to be a couple more days until we start talking a rehab.

— Blake Snell said his previously fatigued shoulder continues to feel good, although the big test will be a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday.

(That) will tell what’s going to happen, Snell said. (Today) is a big day.

The Rays will likely wait to see how the southpaw feels on Monday before making any decisions, but if all goes well he could rejoin the rotation as soon as Wednesday.

— Nuno’s live batting practice session went well, and he is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Stone Crabs.

— Depending on the status of Archer and Snell, Tampa Bay plans to use LHP Jalen Beeks, RHP Yonny Chirinos and LHP Ryan Yarbrough on a modified five-or-six-day schedule, although usually behind an opener.

Rays 7/28/18 pregame notes; injury updates (Faria, Snell, Ramos and Nuno)

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Mallex couldn’t run off the field quick enough following the Rays 15-5 loss to the Orioles Friday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back from a 15-5 loss to the Orioles Friday night. Tampa Bay found itself in a one-run game before Austin Pruitt entered the contest in an eight-run seventh. The ultimate irony, had Kevin Cash leaned on someone else, or had Pruitt pitched better, the Rays would have won the game since they scored a pair in the ninth inning.

As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote, Tampa Bay is 6-5 against Baltimore, playing eight of the 11 games at Camden Yards. Surprisingly the team’s two most lopsided defeats this season have been in that ballpark.

Look at the bright side, even though the Rays were unable to gain any ground in the Wildcard race, they also didn’t lose any ground thanks to losses by both the Mariners and Athletics. Furthermore, if you are someone who hopes that Chris Archer isn’t traded before or at the non-waiver trade deadline, quell your fears with his less than eye-popping turn on the mound. Let’s just say Archer neither helped his team, nor his trade value. Jim Turvey (DRaysBay) wrote a game recap that’s worth your while.

Moving on.

The New What Next

Ryne Stanek (1-2, 1.86 ERA) will open for the Rays tonight. Stanek has allowed just three runs total since June first, and has had two days off after pitching in four of the previous five games. He pitched three times in May against the Orioles and allowed one run (on a Manny Machado homer) in 3-2/3 innings of work. Jaylen Beeks (5-5, 2.89 ERA at AAA), acquired in the Nathan Eovaldi trade, is expected to make his Rays debut and pitch the bulk of the innings.

Beeks is 34-28 with a 3.63 ERA in parts of five Minor League seasons, including a 5-5 record and a 3.29 ERA with Triple-A Pawtucket this season. He had two appearances for Boston in 2018, but he didn’t fare too well. In his first start against Detroit, Beeks allowed six runs over four innings of work, and in a relief appearance against the Rangers he allowed three runs in 2-1/3 innings. Yet in in Triple-A, he was named to the All-Star Game thanks in part to a 33% strikeout rate which leads qualified pitchers in the league. He’s also only walking seven percent of opposing batters.

Stuff wise, Beeks previously relied on a two-seam fastball and a slider at the start of his career, although he currently relies on a 92 mph four-seam fastball, a whiffy 86 mph changeup, a 75 mph curveball with sharp downward bite, and an 88 mph cutter with good “rise,” which has aided in his growth.

Kevin Gausman gave up five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over 4-2/3 innings on Monday against the Red Sox. Gausman allowed a second inning solo homer, followed by four runs in the fifth on just three hits. He exited the ballgame with a five-run deficit after tossing 79 pitches (44 strikes, 56% strike rate). The right-hander has struggled over his past two outings, surrendering 10 runs over 9-2/3 innings while striking out just four. Gausman is 1-1 in two starts this season against Tampa Bay. In his first outing he surrendered just two runs on 11 hits over 7-1/3 innings of work, but his second start against the Rays didn’t go nearly as well, as Gausman allowed seven runs on six hit over 2-2/3 innings on May 27. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (5-15, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-4), Mallex Smith (3-12, 3B, RBI, BB), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (2-6, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles part four — a series preview

Rays 7/28/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Wendle LF
Robertson 2B
Smith RF
Sucre C
Adames SS
Stanek RHP

Noteworthiness

— Jacob Faria, on rehab with Triple-A Durham, allowed six runs over 4-2/3 innings last night.

— Blake Snell played catch Thursday and will increase the distance and intensity on Saturday before throwing from the mound Sunday.

It feels a lot better, so we’ll see how it all goes, Snell said.

If all goes well, Snell is slated to rejoin the Rays’ rotation on Tuesday or Wednesday against the Angels.

— Wilson Ramos is expected to catch a Vidal Nuno bullpen session Saturday, and play in a rehab game Sunday. If all goes well, he could return before the trade deadline.