So far, this has been an odd road trip…to say the least. Tampa Bay has gone 7-for-30 wRISP, tagging the opposing pitchers for only 13 runs. Though Tampa Bay took two of three from the Reds, they still ended the series with a -6 run differential. Yet the Rays have a 3-3 record — six games into their nine-game road trip — and are about to face a scuffling Orioles squad who, if I may, don’t look so hot themselves. There is a very realistic possibility that the Rays could come home with a winning record on this wonky trip — which they’ll need going into the upcoming Yankees series, when they throw their B-starters on the mound.
Category Archives: The New What Next
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Cobb, Rays Blank Reds, 1-0, Cobb Placed on the 15-day DL
The skinny: Alex Cobb came out victorious in Saturday’s pitching duel against Alfredo Simon, while James Loney provided all the offense the Rays would need. The Rays walked away from the Reds’ home Saturday afternoon with their second series win of the season.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Price, Rays Shutdown Reds 2-1
Without a doubt, David Price took the hill Friday with a couple of factors weighing on his shoulders. I’d imagine Cesar Ramos’ impending start Sunday was ever-present in the back of Price’s mind — leaving Price with the realization that an über quality start would save the bullpen from being overworked. His previous 6 IP/4 ER outing undoubtedly factored into his desire to be dominant Friday as well. Whatever the case, the Reds’ struggling lineup didn’t fare well against Price, who was on last night. The Rays walked away from Great American Ballpark with their first victory against the Reds in Cincinnati (their second franchise win overall) on the heels of a 2-1 win.
Rays 4/11/14 Starting Lineup, Etc
Rays 4/11/14 Starting Lineup (Sans DH) Zobrist 2B, Jennings CF, Joyce LF, Longoria 3B, Loney 1B, Myers RF, Escobar SS, Molina C, Price P.
The New What Next: Rays vs Reds — A Series Preview of Sorts
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off their first series loss of the season, thanks in part to their sluggish 4-for-18 performance wRISP (overall), in Kansas City. They’ll start a three game interleague series against the Reds in Cincinnati, Friday. The Rays may have struggled with offensive production in their previous series, BUT the Reds certainly aren’t lighting any fires themselves, having gone 7-for-30 in their previous series against the Cardinals. Much like the Rays of late, it’s been difficult for the reds to get anything going. The offense has, as a whole, really struggled, while the bullpen has already experienced a number of painful blow-ups (six meltdowns, tied for 4th in baseball). The Reds lead Tampa Bay 8-1– the Rays’ worst record against any team. The Reds swept the Rays in a three-game series back in 2005, scoring 34 runs. The last time Tampa Bay faced Cincinnati (2011), they dropped two of three, scoring all of seven runs while relinquishing 12.