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Tampa Bay Rays 8/19/17 starting lineup and pregame notes

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The Rays got Erasmo’d last night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays will try bounce back from a string of tough losses on Saturday, when they face the Mariners in the second game of a three-game set at the Trop. For all of their offensive struggles and woes — and trust me, there have been many — the Rays are STILL relevant in the AL Wildcard chase, albeit less so; just three-games out of the second slot with 38 games left to play.

We all know the culprits, and to be fair the Rays have been tough to watch in August.

Nevertheless, it is absolutely incumbent on Tampa Bay to string together some wins and fast, as they have seen their odds of a playoff berth drop precipitously over the last few weeks — from 45% in late July to 8% now. In short, with a glut of teams that haven’t been able to run away with the final Wildcard spot, a postseason is still attainable assuming, the bats can wake up, although it’s certainly not imminent.

…Waiting for the great leap forward, I’d reckon.

The New What Next

With an eye toward continuing where he left off in his last start, Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 4.30 ERA, 5.64 FIP) will take the mound tonight, pitching opposite of Ariel Miranda (7-6, 4.75 ERA, 5.43 FIP).

Odorizzi was solid in his last start against Toronto and buckled down to control his stuff after allowing a first-inning home run. This was a good sign for the right-hander that is coming off back-to-back short outings. Odorizzi gave up a two-run homer to Josh Donaldson in the first inning, but cruised to a quality start through the next five frames. Unfortunately the Rays couldn’t come to life against Nick Tepesch, dropping Odorizzi to his sixth loss of the season.

Miranda is 0-2 with a 7.23 ERA over his past seven starts. He has given up 12 home runs over that stretch. The southpaw threw a complete-game victory against Tampa Bay on June 4 in Seattle, scattering just four hits and one run with nine strikeouts. That was the only time Tampa Bay has faced Miranda. Key Matchups: Trevor Plouffe (1-2), Daniel Robertson (1-3, 3B), Steven Souza Jr. (1-4)

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/19/17 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Bourjos LF
Longoria DH
Souza RF
Ramos c
Duda 1B
Plouffe 3B
Hechavarria SS
Robertson 2B
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— With Evan Longoria getting a DH day, and back in the third spot in the order, Trevor Plouffe (I know, ugh) will take over at third base tonight, hitting seventh.

—  Rays skipper Kevin Cash said the Outlaw will be the primary leadoff hitter pretty much fulltime from here on out. As for Longoria, the experiment with him in the two hole is over, and he will hit out of his normal spot from now on.

— Matt Andriese (right hip) was struck on the left ankle Friday by a comebacker on the second pitch of his rehab start with Class-A Charlotte. He left the game, walking to the clubhouse without a limp … although in a walking boot. Andriese said his left leg, where he took the line drive, is sore. He will play catch this afternoon with a bullpen session scheduled for Sunday. The right-hander is expected to make his next rehab start five days from now (Thursday, August 25).

— Cash said Cobb looked good during live batting practice this afternoon.

He will forgo a rehab stint and likely will return to the rotation during the next series against Toronto. The team will announce today where he slots in.

Rays Roster Moves: Welcome back, Kevin Kiermaier

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Kevin Cash told interviewers with MLB Network Radio that Kevin Kiermaier will be in the lineup Friday night. (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

At long last Kevin Kiermaier, who was placed on the disabled list with a hip fracture back on June 9, has been activated and will appear in the lineup Friday night. Since the injury the Rays have gone 29-32, as fans waited restlessly for the return of the Outlaw.

In an interview this afternoon with MLB Network Radio, Rays manager Kevin Cash broke the news before anything was made official.

Hey, look at that! Not only is KK back, but he’s hitting in the leadoff spot.

In order to make room on the 25-man roster, Mallex Smith has been optioned back to Triple-A Durham … although he will be back soon enough with September call-ups just around the corner. Since the Rays had room on the 40-man roster, they only needed to make a 25-man move.

Kiermaier slashed .258 BA/.329 OBP/.408 SLG/.737 overall, largely due to a poor month of April. However, he began to get toasty in May, then red-hot in June when he posted a .364 BA/.364 OBP/.591 SLG/.955 OPS/.227 ISO/.368 BABIP/.401 wOBA over 22 plate appearances leading up to his injury.

The addition of Kiermaier to the lineup not only shores things up defensively, but also could prove to be the sparkmarker Tampa Bay needs to make a postseason run.

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

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One of the few bright spots in Sunday’s ball game. Catcher Jesus Sucre scored all the way from second on Evan Longoria’s RBI hit. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays ended their latest scoreless streak Sunday afternoon, although the ultimately fell to Cleveland, 4-3. Cleveland took three of four from Tampa Bay, which dropped seven of nine during the home stand. The Rays boarded a plane for the cooler digs of Toronto, where they’ll take on the Blue Jays over the next four days.

(Stats: ESPN)

‘Cause I am barely breathing, and I can’t find the air.
— Duncan Sheik

The Rays snapped their scoreless streak at 20 innings with a third-inning RBI single by Evan Longoria, capping the number of times the Rays were shut out during the homestand at five — finishing a 17-game stretch in which the Rays played teams in playoff contention. They, however, went 6-11.

Perhaps, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) suggested, a change of scenery could do the struggling team some good. After all, they didn’t cross the plate too often at the Trop.

They scored 1.22 runs per game during the homestand — their fewest during any three-series homestand in team history.

They scored 11 runs during the nine games, which were the fewest over a nine-game stretch in the majors since the Indians scored 11 in August 2012.

Longoria’s run-scoring single was the Rays’ third hit that inning, marking the only time during the homestand they had three hits in one inning and the first time they turned that trick since Aug. 1 in Houston.

“So much has changed it seems nothing ever changes.” — The Lawrence Arms

The Rays start this crucial series against Toronto with their playoff hopes intact, but also in the balance. If the team can succeed and put together a good series — and get back over .500 — Tampa Bay could regain a foothold in an AL Wildcard chase in which the leader has changed hands over seven consecutive days (as of Sunday). However, this could also be the end of their postseason aspirations if they continue to stagnate. Dare I call it a make or break moment?

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next four days Kevin Cash will hand the ball off to Jake Odorizzi (6-5, 4.38 ERA, 5.65 FIP), Blake Snell (0-6, 4.69 ERA, 4.87 FIP), Jacob Faria (5-3, 3.19 ERA, 3.63 FIP), and Chris Archer (8-7, 3.84 ERA, 3.17 FIP). John Farrell will counter with Nick Tepesch (0-1, 10.38 ERA, 10.99 FIP), Marco Estrada (5-7, 4.85 ERA, 4.35 FIP), Marcus Stroman (10-6, 3.00 ERA, 3.75 FIP), and Chris Rowley (1-0, 1.69 ERA, 2.58 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Odorizzi struggled with his pitch count early in his last start on Wednesday, throwing 55 pitches over the first two frames. He was struck on his heel by an Eduardo Nunez comebacker on his 89th pitch of the night. Odorizzi was helped off the field without putting any weight on his right leg, but thankfully the X-Rays on his right foot came back negative. The right-hander tested his foot in a bullpen session, and the Rays have him a green light to start Monday night in Toronto.

Tepesch allowed five runs on eight hits over 4-1/3 innings during his last start against New York. He has a temporary hold on a rotation spot until Joe Biagini is properly stretched out at Triple-A Buffalo. This season he has relied primarily on a 90 mph four-seam fastball, and an 86 mph slider. He’s also mixed in a 79 mph knuckle curveball, and a 90 mph sinker. Tepesch is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA over two career starts (totaling 14-1/3 innings) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchup: 2-7, HR, 2 RBI

Snell put together one of his strongest starts of the season on Thursday, limiting Cleveland to one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 6-1/3 innings. The southpaw leaned heavily on his fastball (65 thrown, 36 strikes, five whiffs) to great effect. Even though he wasn’t pitch perfect (pun intended) — he didn’t rack up a ton of strikes, and he left more than a few pitches in the zone — Snell settled in, and more importantly, kept the ball in the park. The left-hander attributed his strong start to the game plan called by Jesus Sucre.

Estrada was again excellent in his last time turn, and he’s now gone seven innings in three consecutive starts. The right-hander has pitched to contact of late, coaxing plenty of weak fly-ball outs. After performing to a 9.52 ERA through nine starts, Estrada has now allowed just six runs in 26 innings over his past four outings. The Rays torched Estrada for 16 runs over his previous three starts, totaling 14-1/3 innings. They hope to see the negatively regressed right-hander on Tuesday. Key Matchups: Corey Dickerson (8-17, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (6-18, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBI), Daniel Robertson (2-4), Steven Souza Jr. (4-16, HR, 4 RBI), Jesus Sucre (1-2, HR, RBI)

Faria was perfect through the front four innings against Cleveland on Friday, before he allowed a career-high five runs — on a homer and four horrendous fielding gaffes by Wilson Ramos and Logan Morrison, Evan Longoria, and Brad Miller. It was just the second time in his previous 12 big league starts that he’s allowed more than three runs. He has gone six or more innings in 10 of those starts.

Stroman was excellent his last time out, although poor defense led to four unearned runs. The right-hander gave up all four runs in the third inning against Pittsburgh, but he shut the Pirates’ bats down the rest of the way. After struggling over a pair of recent starts, he’s allowed just two earned runs over his last 14-2/3 innings of work to lower his ERA from 3.19 to 3.00. Overall, he has generated a huge ground ball rate with his sinking fastball, and he is capable of working deeply into each game. The Rays couldn’t get much started against Stroman in two starts against Tampa Bay this season, tagging him for just three runs over 13-2/3 innings. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-3, 3B), Corey Dickerson (6-21, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (9-27, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (5-15, 2B, 2 BB)

Archer saw his 15-start streak of pitching at least six innings come to pass Saturday night against Cleveland, after surrendering three runs in 5-1/3 innings. Archer allowed single runs in the first, third and sixth innings, but was fairly inefficient, thus his removal one out into the sixth. The right-hander continues to collect strikeouts, and he’s consistently kept his ERA just below 4.00 over the past month and a half. He is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts against Toronto this season.

Rowley was excellent in his Major League debut on August 12, working very quickly over 5-1/3 innings, while allowing just one run on five hits. He threw just 75 pitches in that outing, but he could go longer against the Rays. According to one scouting report, Rowley is a finesse pitcher that will move the ball around the zone:

Rowley will not blow the ball by hitters. Topping out at 91-92, he relies on command and his secondaries to keep hitters off balance:

“My game is based on throwing three pitches, all at different speeds, all in the strike zone and all moving differently, and the idea is for them to look the same until they get to the plate,” said Rowley.

Still, he has managed to strike out almost a batter per inning at AA. Rowley’s 47% ground ball rate shows that he excels at keeping the ball down in the zone, and his 15.8% line drive rate is proof that while he pitches to contact, it’s not often of the hard variey.  The knock against him may be that he doesn’t miss a lot of bats, but the other side of that coin is that his sinker is very tough to square up, and his change and slider keep hitters off balance.

LBWMF: Corey Dickerson and the Rays snap skids with a 4-1 win over Cleveland

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The face of a player with a HUGE burden lifted off his shoulders. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

A pair of long skids came to an end Thursday night. Corey Dickerson ended an 0-for-21 stretch at the plate with a three-run two-out homer in the eighth inning, while the Rays ended an 0-for-31 stretch with runners in scoring position. When all was said and done, Tampa Bay took the first of four from Cleveland with a 4–1 victory.

The Rays start the day tied with Seattle for the final Wildcard slot, 2-1/2 games behind New York for the top Wildcard slot, and 7-1/2 games behind Boston in the division. Of the remaining 46 games, 17 are against the Royals, Red Sox and Yankees, while another 10 are against the Mariners and Orioles, teams right behind the Rays in the race.

Cleveland took the initial lead three batters into the ballgame after Francisco Lindor hit a ground rule double down the left field line. Lindor moved to third on a Jason Kipnis groundout to second, then came home on a Jose Ramirez infield single.

Yet never mind the fact that Blake Snell has been plagued by inconsistent performances all season season, the southpaw settled in and retired seven consecutive batters before he allowed a leadoff double to Kipnis in the fourth inning. Snell later walked two batters before striking out Brandon Guyer to end the threat.

Meanwhile, after leaving seven runners on base over the first four innings against Danny Salazar — and going 0-for-their-last-31 wRISP overall — the Rays broke through in the fifth inning to tie the game at one. Lucas Duda walked to start the rally, then went to second on Evan Longoria’s single to left. Logan Morrison, who hit a single to center in his previous at-bat, drove in a run on a base hit to right-center, tying the game at one. But with runners on the corners and none out, Steven Souza Jr. struck out, and Brad Miller grounded into a 4–6–3 double play, ending the threat.

All that glitters isn’t gold, and a defensive miscue allowed Cleveland to threaten once once again when Austin Jackson hit a one-out, seventh inning flair into left-center. What should have been a base hit bounded past both Corey Dickerson and Mallex Smith, allowing Jackson to pull into third. And even though Snell pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, the defense let him down. Snell’s night was done after he posted a 6.1 IP/4 H/1 ER/2 BB/4 K line on 101 pitches (61 strikes).

Snell leaned heavily on his fastball (65 thrown, 36 strikes, five whiffs) to great effect. Even though he wasn’t pitch perfect (pun intended) — he didn’t rack up a ton of strikes, and he left more than a few pitches in the zone — Snell settled in, and more importantly, kept the ball in the park. The left-hander attributed his strong start to the game plan called by Jesus Sucre.

Kevin Cash called upon Tommy Hunter to get the final two outs of the frame. The right-hander got pinch-hitter Jay Bruce to pop out to short on the first pitch he saw. Then, after Yan Gomes worked the count full, Hunter struck out Cleveland’s backstop on a 98 mph middle-up fastball.

Hunter followed with a perfect eighth, helping set the table for a dramatic home half of the inning.

The Rays started their go-ahead rally against right-handed relief hurler Nick Goody. Adeiny Hechavarria worked the count full before he singled to left with one out. Hech swiped second, then went to third as the responding throw from Gomes skipped into centerfield.

With the infield in and a runner at third, Smith tried to put down a sacrifice bunt, yet popped it up down the third base line instead. Johnny Urshela charged in and appeared to have caught the ball, but it squirted free from under his arm. Suffice it to say, Smith caught a break. Now with two strikes against him, Smith again tried to lay down a bunt … and again popped it up, this time to first. Three infielders converged but on the ball, yet first baseman Carlos Santana took his eyes off of it, and the balled glanced off of his glove and bounded into foul territory. Regardless of the outcome, it was a bunt strikeout which stranded Hechavarria at third.

Jesus Sucre was hit hard by a pitch, bringing up Dickerson with runners on the corners. Mired in the throes of an extended skid, and an 0-for-4 night at the plate, Dickerson squared up the first pitch he saw and sent it just over the centerfield wall for the go ahead runs. It was his 21st homer of the season, and 69th RBI.

That’s what I’m expected to do, Corey said after the game. I expect it more than y’all or anybody else expect it out of me…I just tried to be my own self.

Now up by three, with the game on the line, Alex Colome entered in the ninth and plowed through the order for his 34th save of the season. Colome is now tied for the Major League lead in saves with Greg Holland (Rockies). It alsowas Colome’s 71st career save, tying him with Danys Baez for third all time saves leader for Tampa Bay.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to win their second game in a row on Friday with Jacob Faria (5-2, 2.81 ERA, 3.56 FIP) on the mound. He’ll start opposite of Carlos Carrasco (10-5, 4.06 ERA, 3.67 FIP).

Faria rebounded from a loss on Friday against the Brewers, notching a quality start while striking out nine over six innings of work. Unfortunately for the right-hander, the offense was blanked and he was tagged with a loss. Faria has nine quality starts in 11 outings.

Carrasco took the loss after he gave up five runs on six hits and two walks on Sunday. He struck out six. In 12 road starts this season, Carrasco is 7-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 70-2/3 innings. However, the veteran right-hander has now allowed 10 earned runs over his last two starts (7-1/3 innings). He was pulled after just 3-2/3 innings of work against the Rays in May after he allowed five runs on six hits (including a homer) and three walks. Key Matchups: Brad Miller (3-5, HR, RBI), Logan Morrison (2-5, 2B, RBI), Trevor Plouffe (5-17, 2B, 3 RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/11/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavarria SS
Faria RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back) will restart his rehab tomorrow for the Stone Crabs as DH. He Will DH Saturday and Sunday, with the goal to play centerfield on Tuesday. He told Roger Mooney (Tampa Bay Times) his hip is fine, and his back is healthy. Kiermaier hopes to return from the DL during the Rays next homestand, a week from today.

— Matt Andriese (hip) will make a four inning rehab start for Stone Crabs tonight.

— The reports on Jośe De Leon … he was pulled the other day because of elbow tendinitis, and there is no structural damage. He left a Class-A rehab start with forearm tightness.

LBWMF: Tampa Bay Rays fall to Chris Sale and Boston, 2-0

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Austin Pruitt posted six innings of one-run ball against the Red Sox on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Chris Sale was at his best on Tuesday, dominating Tampa Bay over eight scoreless innings, while notching 12 strikeouts or more against the Rays for the sixth time in his career. Despite another strong start from Austin Pruitt, the Red Sox won the first of two against the Rays, 2–0.

It’s time for a segment I like to call The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle.

The Good

— Austin Pruitt nearly matched Chris Sale, working around a leadoff double to start the game, and facing just one over the minimum over the first three frames. Boston was able to touch the right-hander for a one-run rally (as described by Neil Solondz below), but he limited the damage, and worked around any trouble all night:

Dustin Pedroia walked on a 3–2 pitch to start the rally, and Andrew Benintendi followed with a single to center on an 0–2 pitch. Mookie Betts grounded into 6–4 fielder’s choice, putting runners at the corners. Rookie Rafael Devers grounded back to the mound, and Pruitt got the out at second, but his throw prevented Adeiny Hechavarria from making a relay throw, as Pedroia scored for a 1–0 advantage. Xander Bogaerts singled to right on a 2–2 pitch, but Pruitt limited damage by striking out Mitch Moreland.

Pruitt scattered seven hits (only one to the pull side) and one walk, while fanning five and holding the Red Sox to 0-for-8 wRISP.

— Sergio Romo did a heck of a job over 1-1/3 innings of work, giving up one hit and a deep fly ball out, while striking out one.

The Bad

— In the third inning, Pruitt induced a double play ball that would have erased the run-scoring rally. Unfortunately, Adeiny Hechavarria unable to turn the double play.

Hechavarria took a difficult bounce awkwardly, letting it get into his body, and was only able to get the force out at second. The botched double play immediately came back to haunt the Rays.

One batter later, Pruitt got Rafael Devers to weakly hit a comebacker to the mound. Pruitt knocked down the ball, then tried to throw to second — albeit somewhat up hill, thus effecting his footwork — to start an inning ending double play. His throw, however, was pulled to the shortstop side of the bag, forcing Hechavarria to dive for the catch and only the force out at second. A run scored of Devers’ fielder’s choice.

— With Logan Morrison on first in the seventh inning, Steven Souza Jr. decided to lay down a sacrifice bunt. The attempt failed when Mitch Moreland quickly fielded the hard hit bunt and fired off a throw to nab the lead runner. Souza, I know you haven’t hit a homer against a lefty this year, however, swing away!

The Argyle

— Mired in a five hits over his last 42 plate appearances slump, who of all people broke up Chris Sale’s no-hit bid? Wilson Ramos. Go Figure.

— Romo gave up a deep fly ball out to the left field wall, and it appeared to be gone. It wasn’t though, and Mallex Smith tracked the ball down and made a running catch at the wall. Apparently Jackie Bradley Junior, who was on first, also thought it was a homer, and as he stood at third base when Smith made, there was nothing he could do to get back to first … see, he never tagged up. Smith threw it back in to first to end the inning.

— The success in Pruitt’s ability to limit hard contact also came at his detriment. As I mentioned above all but one of the hits he allowed were either up the middle or to the big part of the field. Something all of the Rays pitchers have to do a better job with is keep opposing batters honest, by pitching them up and in from time to time.

Austin Pruitt vs RHH. (Credit: ESPN)

Austin Pruitt vs LHH. (Credit: ESPN)

The right-hander has good stuff, as exemplified by his previous two outings. He, however, does not have an overpowering fastball.  Simply put, if he cannot keep batters honest, he will get hammered when he leaves that mistake pitch in the heart of the zone.

The New What Next

The Rays will wrap up this short two-game series on Wednesday with Jake Odorizzi (6-4, 4.47 ERA, 5.74 FIP) on the mound. He’ll pitch opposite of Rick Porcello (5-14, 4.70 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Odorizzi was activated from the disabled list (retroactive to July 25) after suffering a lower back strain. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks, while striking out six over three innings in a rehab start for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on Friday. The right-hander told Kevin Cash, “I’m ready to go … I will be back in there next time my spot comes up, so no more rehab starts.” He also told Cash that he hadn’t this good in quite a while — validating the skipper’s decision to start him against Boston on Wednesday.

Porcello had his strongest outing of 2017 at the Trop on July 8, allowing one run on six hits while striking out seven in a season-high eight innings. He, however, took a loss. Porcello most recently allowed five runs on seven hits over 5-1/3 innings against the ChiSox. With a 4.70 ERA on the season, and a 2-9 record since May 28, the Rays should be able to be competitive against the right-hander. It bears mentioning, Porcello has dropped two out of his three starts against Tampa Bay this year. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-7), Corey Dickerson (8-29, 4 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (14-53, 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (8-29, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB), Mallex Smith (2-6, 3B), Steven Souza Jr. (8-27, HR, RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/9/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Souza Jr. RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavvaria SS
Odorizzi RHP