Uncategorized Archives

LBWMF: Rays look to bounce back from a 9-2 loss on Friday

July 20, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

16,791 fans attended the series opener against Chicago Friday night, allowing the Rays to increase their per game average to 15,514. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

Tampa Bay played poorly in the field while Brendan McKay had his first sub-par start in the majors, as the Rays fell to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, 9-2. The Rays have dropped four straight games, while Chicago snapped a seven-game skid.

McKay allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits (including five doubles and a homer) while striking out five across 3-1/3 innings. McKay got off to a rough start, giving up a run in the first inning following by three in the second and two more in the fourth prior to being lifted. The southpaw struggled mightily in his second outing since the All-Star Break, although he still owns a 3.72 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 18 punchouts over 19-1/3 innings this season. He threw 76 pitches (52 strikes, 68% strike rate).

As for the defensive miscues, Leury Garcia started the game with a double that sailed over Austin Meadows’ head in right-center as he overran it. In the second inning, with two outs and a runner on first, Adam Engel beat out a grounder to Joey Wendle at short before Garcia looped a ball to right that fell between Mike Brosseau, Meadows and Nate Lowe for what was scored a two-run double. That was followed by another double that fell into play similarly.

The Rays answered in the bottom of the first inning after Meadows tripled to left-center off Reynaldo Lopez and scored on Ji-Man Choi’s single to right-center. They also got one back in the second when Wendle hit a bloop double to center with two outs, and Brosseau drove him home on a run-scoring double to left-center.

That was all they would score of Gomez, ending the night 2-for-7 wRISP while stranding seven men on base. Tampa Bay didn’t get a runner beyond second after the second inning. The Rays have scored just eight total runs in the last four games.

Andrew Kittredge took over for McKay one out in the fourth and managed to get the final two outs of the frame without any more damage, but Chicago added two more in the fifth on a pair of two-out runs. Engle tripled to right after Sanchez hit a bloop double in front of Tommy Pham in left. A wild pitch scored Engel to put the Sox up by six.

Oliver Drake, Emilio Pagan, and Diego Castillo were able to pitch scoreless innings for the Rays, which is encouraging, however, Yolmer Sanchez capped the scoring on a two-out RBI double against Ryne Stanek in the ninth.

The New What Next

Ryan Yarbrough (8-3, 4.26 ERA) will get the start opposite of White Sox ace Lucas Giolito (11-4, 3.23 ERA).

Ryan Yarbrough was excellent on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out six over 6-1/3 innings. Yarbrough carried a combined perfect game into the ninth inning before he surrendered a run in the bottom of the frame on a single to right field. The 27-year-old southpaw has thrown the ball well of late, relinquishing just three runs over his last five appearances (21-1/3 innings) while fanning 19. Yarbrough is 0-0 with an 8.44 ERA in one career outing (5-1/3 innings) against the White Sox.

Lucas Giolito gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings on Monday. Giolito coaxed 10 swinging strikes in the hard-luck loss quality start. Giolito had dominated Kansas City in his career, posting a 6-0 record with a 2.13 ERA coming into this contest. Even with the loss, it was a bounce-back outing for Giolito after he allowed six runs in his previous start against the Cubs. Giolito has an 11-4 record with a 3.23 ERA, a 10.6 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9 (3.21 K/BB) through 18 starts this season. He is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts against Tampa Bay (14 innings). Key Matchup: Travis d’Arnaud (1-3, HR, RBI)

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

TNWN: Rays vs ChiSox — a series preview

Rays 7/20/19 Starting Lineup

Choi 1B
Meadows RF
Pham LF
Lowe DH
Diaz 3B
Wendle 2B
Garcia CF
Adames SS
Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made several roster moves on Saturday, recalling RHP Hunter Wood from Triple-A Durham, activating Chaz Roe from the 10-day Injured List, optioning Brendan McKay to Durham, and placing Ryne Stanek on the 10-day IL with right hip soreness. Stanek is the 20th different Ray to be placed on the IL this season.

— The Rays have lost their last four home games to Chicago, extending back to 2018. Yesterday the White Sox struck out 16 times but also collected 16 hits, their most in a road game this season.

— Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), Matt Duffy was off yesterday and will play today. With the Rays scheduled to face three lefties against Boston, there’s a good chance he will be activated for that series.

TNWN: Rays vs ChiSox — a series preview

July 19, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Storm clouds over the Bronx, literally and metaphorically. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a tumultuous four-game series against the Yankees in the Brox, the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series, starting Friday night. The Rays are in the throes of a three-game skid, while the White Sox have lost seven in a row.

The Rays started their previous eight-game road trip on a high note, winning four out of five games. Yet they dropped three in a row to New York, due in large part to their inability to keep the ball in the park. Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay’s hurlers relinquished 13 home runs, including 10 in the Bronx. They have got to do better against Chicago.

They’ll welcome in a slumping team that is scoring an average of 4.23 runs per game (27th in the big leagues), while Chicago’s pitching staff holds a weak 5.18 ERA (also 27th in the Majors). The White Sox are 17-32 on the road and were swept at home by Tampa Bay earlier in the season.

Tampa Bay starts the series eight games back of the Yankees in the AL East and currently out of the playoff field, and tied with Oakland for the last Wildcard start. The team must start playing better baseball if they are going to get back in the race in earnest, and that all starts now.

As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote, Tampa Bay has won more than 70 percent of its games against sub-.500 teams. Over the next five weeks, the Rays play all but two series (both against Boston) against the teams that are below the break-even mark. While that doesn’t guarantee anything, especially tonight after playing a doubleheader yesterday and getting home at about 5 a.m, the White Sox have dropped seven straight and nine of 10. Be that as it may, they were able to beat up on the Orioles (a team they should have beaten) last week, and they will look to do the same against another scuffling ballclub.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Brendan McKay (1-0, 1.69 ERA), likely Ryan Yarbrough (8-3, 4.26 ERA), and Blake Snell (5-7, 4.55 ERA). Rick Renteria will counter with Reynaldo López (4-8, 5.97 ERA), Lucas Giolito (11-4, 3.23 ERA), and Dylan Cease (1-1, 5.73).

Brendan McKay allowed three hits while striking out seven across five scoreless innings in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. McKay once again looked poised and in total control, throwing 61 of 86 pitches for strikes (71% strike rate), with 20 swinging strikes (23% SwStr). According to ESPN, the left-hander had a 122 Game Score, which makes this the 17th-best single-game performance in the American League this season by that metric.

Reynaldo López allowed one unearned run on three hits and two walks across six innings on Sunday against the A’s. He struck out seven. Lopez was dominant during his outing, allowing just two runners to reach second base in this quality start. Lopez narrowly missed out on a win, yet it was a great bounce-back performance nevertheless after he surrendered seven runs in his last outing. López was hammered by the Rays earlier in the season, allowing eight runs on 10 hits (including three homers) across 4-1/3 innings of work. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3), Ji-Man Choi (1-2, 2B, BB), Yandy Diaz (1-2, BB), Avisail Garcia (2-3, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (3-5, BB), Brandon Lowe (1-2, 2B, BB), Austin Meadows (2-3, HR, RBI), Tommy Pham (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI)

Blake Snell allowed one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. Snell threw an inefficient 93 pitches (56 strikes, 60% strike rate) and did not have a clean inning in his first three frames, yet his only real mistake resulted in an Edwin Encarnacion solo shot in the fourth inning. Snell exited the contest in line for his sixth win of the season. The southpaw lowered his ERA by 15 points to 4.55 and has managed a 3.82 K/BB across 95 innings on the season. Snell is 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA in five career starts against Chicago (25-1/3 innings).

Dylan Cease allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk with seven strikeouts on Tuesday. Kansas City scored two unearned runs in the first inning, yet that’s all they would need to hand Cease the loss. He displayed better control in this outing than in his first big league start, however, working more in the zone resulted in eight hits allowed. In two Major League starts, Cease owns a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 10.64 K/9 in 11 innings of work. He relies primarily on a 97 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action and a whiffy 85 mph slider with lots of depth, while also mixing in an 80 mph 12-6 curveball, and an 83 mph changeup with a lot of backspin and surprising cut action.

Noteworthiness

⁠— Matt Duffy (hamstring, back) played the ninth (and presumably final) game of his rehab assignment for Triple-A Durham on Thursday, going 4-for-5. He is on schedule to make his season debut during this series. Duffy, who played shortstop on Wednesday and was back at third Thursday, went 10-for-32 over the life of the rehab assignment.

⁠— The severity of the bruise to Brandon Lowe’s right leg from fouling off a ball on July 2 could keep him sidelined through the homestand that ends Wednesday.

— In order to make room for Brendan McKay on the 25-man roster, the Rays optioned RHP Hunter Wood.

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part five

July 15, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Ryne Stanek and Ryan Yarbrough took a perfect game into the ninth inning of the series finale in Baltimore, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The top two teams in the AL East will kick off a four-game series in the Bronx, Monday night. The Tampa Bay Rays look to gain ground in the division, while the Yankees set their focus on extending their lead. Tampa Bay closed a four-game, three-day series against Baltimore on Sunday, winning 4-1 and taking three of four in the series. New York finished its three-game home set against Toronto on Sunday afternoon, winning the rubber match 4-2.

The Rays bounced back from a loss in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday to win the nightcap and followed it up with a win to close the set Sunday behind a strong pitching performance from the tandem of Ryne Stanek and Ryan Yarbrough. The Rays enter the current series second in the AL East, six games behind New York in the standings. They currently hold the first Wildcard spot.

New York bounced back from a tough, low-scoring loss on Saturday to prevail in the rubber game against Toronto. As a result of the loss, the Yankees let the Rays to gain 1/2 game.

The Rays have not fared well against the Yankees this season, having won just four of their 13 previous meetings, and just one at Yankee Stadium. What’s more, New York has a +33 run differential against Tampa Bay. Yet, there’s no time like the present for the Rays to flip the script on the Evil Empire. Over the last 14 days, the Rays have outperformed the Yanks in every important offensive category including OPS (.812 vs .741), ISO (.203 vs .173), wOBA (.342 vs .316), wRC+ (117 vs 94), and wRAA (8.6 vs -1.0).

These are a big four games. We’re going to try to close that gap on them. They’ve been playing great baseball all year and obviously, we’ve had our trouble with them this whole year.
— Kevin Kiermaier

Rays hitters — namely Nate Lowe, Mike Brosseau, Tommy Pham, and Austin Meadows — have gotten toasty, and the starters tasked with taking on this formidable opponent have pitched well of late. Expect fireworks in this all-important series.

The teams split a four-game set at the Trop from July 4-7.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will throw Blake Snell (5-7, 4.70 ERA), a pitcher to be named before Tuesday’s contest, Yonny Chirinos (8-4, 3.11 ERA), and Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.35 ERA). Aaron Boone will counter with James Paxton (5-4, 4.01 ERA), C.C. Sabathia (5-4, 4.03 ERA), Diego German (10-2, 3.49 ERA), and J.A. Happ (7-5, 4.93 ERA).

Blake Snell allowed one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts across five innings of work. Even though he didn’t get the win, Snell followed his 12-strikeout performance from his last start with another stellar, albeit labor intensive, outing. The Yankees worked the hurler over his 93 pitch (62 strikes, 67% strike rate) outing, yet Snell certainly didn’t get any help from the home plate umpire, who made more than a few egregious calls. For the fifth time in his last seven appearances, Snell averaged more than a strikeout per inning, as he lowered his ERA to 4.70 ERA with 122 strikeouts across 90 innings.

James Paxton fanned 11 while allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks through against the Rays on Sunday. Paxton allowed a hit to each of the first three batters he faced and surrendered both runs in the first inning, but afterward, he effectively shut down the Rays coaxing 20 swinging strikes (15 of which came on his fastball). The southpaw has allowed just three runs and has 14 strikeouts in his last two starts. Look for the Rays to pounce on mistakes early; Paxton has a reputation for trouble at the beginning of games with a 10.20 ERA in the first inning and a 2.49 ERA in all other frames. He now is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (2-3, 2B), Avisail Garcia (4-8, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), Tommy Pham (2-6, 2 2B, RBI)

TBA

C.C. Sabathia allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts across seven innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Saturday. Even though he didn’t capture his third consecutive win, Sabathia did post his third straight quality start. He’s pitched fairly well since the beginning of June, although a couple of bad outings have bloated his ERA to 4.67 in his last six starts. He now is 18-16 with a 3.59 ERA in 52 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Micheal Brosseau (1-2, BB), Travis d’Arnaud (5-15, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (6-19, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Nate Lowe (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Tommy Pham (4-13, RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (1-2)

Yonny Chirinos allowed just two runs on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts across seven innings. The Orioles scored two-out runs in the third and fourth innings, their only tallies against the Rays starter. The 25-year-old turned in his best outing since June 7, although he has pitched well over the last month plus. Overall, Chirinos is 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 89 punch outs across 107 innings this season.

Domingo German tossed six scoreless frames against the Blue Jays on Friday, fanning seven and walking none while allowing just three hits. He coaxed 13 whiffs on his curveball in the outing. German’s breaking ball may not have a reputation yet, but it is one of baseballs best curves. He hit a bit of a rough patch in four starts from the middle of May to the beginning of June (7.32 ERA, 1.53 WHIP), but has pitched well otherwise this season. German is 2-0 with a 6.75 ERA in four career outings (three starts) against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, BB), Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (1-2), Brandon Lowe (1-3), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Charlie Morton gave up two runs on six hits over six innings on Saturday. He struck out six and walked one. Morton got into a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, consequently allowing a two-run single, yet he kept the Orioles in check otherwise. The 35-year-old has allowed up 10 runs (eight earned) total and has a 6.83 K/BB in his last five starts (31-1/3 innings).

J.A. Happ allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five across 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. Happ has now dropped his last two turns after winning six consecutive decisions from May 9 to June 18. That streak ended with a thud, as the Astros hung an eight-spot on Happ in his final start of June. He is now 5-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 18 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Travis d’Arnaud (1-4, BB), Avisail Garcia (5-14, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (3-5, 2B, BB), Mike Zunino (3-11, RBI, BB)

Rays 7/14/19 pregame notes; injury updates

July 14, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Friend of the blog, Michael Nazarro, grabbed this photo from last night’s ballgame. (Photo Credit: Michael Nazarro)

After splitting a doubleheader against Baltimore on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to take three of four from the Orioles this afternoon. Tampa Bay hit six homers and won 12-4 in the nightcap after being held to just one run on three hits by Baltimore in the opener.

💣
💣
💣
💣
💣
💣#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/3wlRkduY7l
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 14, 2019

Following the nightcap, Tampa Bay optioned Jake Faria and recalled Ryan Yarbrough (7-3, 4.55 ERA), who will act as the bulk inning guy this afternoon. Ryne Stanek (0-2, 3.26 ERA) will open for Tampa Bay. Tom Eshelman (0-0, 3.60 ERA), who takes the place of Andrew Cashner, will pitch in opposition.

Ryne Stanek will open for the 26th time this season. He last pitched on July 5th, when he allowed four extra-inning runs to New York in an 8-4 loss, with all of the runs coming via the long ball. Stanek has much better opening games, logging a 2.08 ERA as compared to a 7.59 ERA out of the pen. The right-hander has thrown four scoreless frames in three prior appearances against the Orioles.

Ryan Yarbrough last pitched for Durham on July 6th and allowed six runs across five innings against Gwinnett, allowing all but one run in his final inning of work. The lefty gave up one run in three innings in his last big league appearance (July 1) against Baltimore in a 6-3 Rays win.

Tom Eshelman had a promising big league debut against Tampa Bay on July 1, limiting the Rays to two runs on six hits and a walk across five innings, although he failed to fan a batter. The soft-tossing right-hander could be in danger of a demotion back to Triple-A if he turns in a poor outing. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-2, RBI), Yandy Diaz (1-3), Avisail Garcia (1-2, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), Austin Meadows (1-3), Mike Zunino (1-2)

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

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

Rays 7/14/19 Starting Lineup

Meadows RF
Pham LF
Kiermaier CF
Lowe DH
Brosseau 3B
Choi 1B
Adames SS
Wendle 2B
Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— In spite of the 2-1 loss in the opening game of the doubleheader yesterday, Rays starters have pitched deep in each of the last three games. Because of it, the bullpen should be rested; only Colin Poche has worked more than an inning out of the ‘pen. Neither Oliver Drake nor Hunter Wood has pitched in the series.

— Matt Duffy (hamstring, back) played in a third straight ballgame for Durham yesterday. The injured third-baseman played all nine innings in the field and went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Duffy will have an off-day today. Rays skipper Kevin Cash said Duffy is “champing at the bit” since he has yet to appear in a big league game this season. He will most likely see 25-30 rehab at-bats before being re-evaluated.

When he is eventually activated from the IL, the Rays will have to make another roster move, as the 40-man is full after Peter Fairbanks was acquired from Texas yesterday.

— Daniel Robertson’s rehabilitation from right knee surgery is progressing quickly. Cash said Robertson, who has been out since June 19th, could move onto a rehab assignment in the next week or so.

Rays acquire Peter Fairbanks from the Rangers

July 13, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

With the trade deadline looming, the Rays acquired fireballer Peter Fairbanks from the Rangers on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-hander Peter Fairbanks from the Texas Rangers in exchange for INF/OF Nick Solak. To make room for Fairbanks on the 40-man roster, the Rays placed Christian Arroyo on the 60-day IL.

Fairbanks, 25, was selected by the Rangers for the first time this season. The right-hander struggled with command in his short big league stint, walking seven across 8-2/3 innings, while also allowing four home runs, however, he also flashed dominant stuff over that span — notching 15 strikeouts (36.6% strikeout rate) while averaging 97.2 mph on his fastball.

Fairbanks started his career with a low 90’s heater, yet credited the increase in his velocity to a change in his delivery as he rehabilitated from Tommy John surgery.

The rehab team was all on board with it. It’s happened really fast. It’s still baseball. It’s just in front of a lot more people who really care how you do. I knew if I sucked this year, I’d be released, probably.
— Peter Fairbanks

FanGraphs called Fairbanks an “impact relief piece,” while grading his fastball (70/70)/slider (55/55) combo as one of the best for burgeoning relief prospects across the minors.

For the time being, Fairbanks will head to Triple-A Durham, where he will be tasked with working on fastball command. The right-hander has the makings of a dominant reliever and this acquisition could bear fruit for the Rays in the near future, especially with Jose Alvarado on the shelf.