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Clinched!

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…When you bring your own party favors to the field.

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East title for the first time since 2010 — and the third time in franchise history — behind an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. The Rays aren’t done yet though, over the next three games they will attempt to lock up the number one seed in the American League.

Tampa Bay enters the last off-day of the regular season with a record of 37-20, 17 games over .500. They currently maintain the best record in the American League by two games over Minnesota with three games left to play. The Rays have lost just one of the team’s last 15 series.

Due to the pandemic, the Rays celebrated the accomplishment with another round of imaginary champagne, in a room covered in imaginary plastic given the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions.

Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged that the team is missing out on one of the best parts of winning, although he acknowledged the tradeoff involved.

I do think we all should recognize that these players are missing out, but we’re missing out like we said for good reason. And being respectful of the situation and not putting any of us at risk. We’re going to the postseason. We definitely don’t want a celebration or anything like that to derail all the accomplishments of the season.

— Kevin Cash

The Rays will welcome the Philadelphia Phillies into the Trop for a three-game series (the final set of the 2020 season), starting Friday. More on things later, it’s, well … getting late. Congratulations, guys!

TNWN: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

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Brandon Lowe sent the series finale into extra innings with a two-out, two-strike homer to right field. The Rays inevitably fell 4-2 in extras. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After splitting a brief two-game series against the Washington Nationals, the Tampa Bay Rays hit the road for the last time in the regular season. The first stop is Baltimore, where the Rays will face the Orioles in a four-day, five-game series which includes a doubleheader. The Orioles are coming off a series win against Atlanta.

Tampa Bay enters play 13 games over .500, three games ahead of the second-place Yankees in the division, and with a magic number of two to clinch a postseason spot (eight to win the AL East).

The Rays looked great in the first game of the set against Washington, as they plated six runs, limited the reigning World Series champions to just one, and scored three two-out runs. Yet in the series finale, Tampa Bay went 0-11 with runners in scoring position, and, as Dave Wills would say, they left a lot of chicken on the bone. Put another way, they could have swept Washington, yet the all-important “big hit” eluded them. Consistency in the batter’s box continues to be an issue with Tampa Bay.

Yet even though the Rays haven’t been what one would call an offensive juggernaut over the last five series, things are starting to trend upward for them … even though the rate of change is at a glacial pace. They are starting to get “lucky” again when they put the ball in play (as it relates to BABIP), while their OBP and SLG are still in good (well, decent) order. The Rays have been striking out at an alarming clip, however, curbing the number of times they actually put the ball in play. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s offense looks similar to the Rays over the last 14 days, so this series could be good for the pitching staff, and bad for the hitters.

Tampa Bay should clinch a playoff spot during the series.

Pitching Probables

Over the next five games, Kevin Cash will depend on Blake Snell (4-1, 3.23 ERA), a pitcher to be named before the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader, Tyler Glasnow (3-1, 4.47 ERA), Charlie Morton (1-2, 5.14 ERA), and Ryan Yarbrough (0-3, 4.31 ERA). Brandon Hyde will counter with Dean Kremer (1-0, 1.64 ERA), a pitcher to be named before the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader, Alex Cobb (1-4, 5.03 ERA), John Means (1-3, 5.63 ERA), and Jorge Lopez (2-0, 3.80 ERA).

Both team’s starters in the second game of the doubleheader are TBA.

Blake Snell got the start Friday night against Boston and fired off 5-1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits, and two walks while striking out five on 103 pitches (62 strikes, 60% strike rate, 24% SwStr%). Snell bounced back with a sharp performance against Boston, albeit one filled with deep counts — the left-hander found himself in seven full count situations which limited his ability to pitch deep in the ball game. That being said, it was Snell’s first scoreless start in nearly a month and he now carries a 3.23 ERA/4.37 FIP and a 3.57 K/BB over 39 innings on the season.

Dean Kremer allowed one run on four hits over five innings on Saturday against the Yankees. He struck out seven and walked three. Kremer managed to keep the Yankees in check for the second time in as many starts and has surrendered just two runs on five hits with a 2.33 K/BB through his first two big-league starts (11 IP). Kremer is a three-pitch pitcher who relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball with slight arm side run, and a 76 mph curveball with exceptional bite, while also mixing in a hard 88 mph slider that coaxes a lot of swings and misses.

TBA

TBA

Tyler Glasnow gave up four runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings on Saturday against the Red Sox. He struck out seven. It wasn’t the sharpest outing for Glasnow yet he got just enough offensive support to get the win. Part of Glasnow’s problem was his inability to control the running game —the Red Sox went 6-for-6 on steal attempts against the battery of Glasnow and Michael Perez, an ongoing weakness that other teams could exploit down the stretch if they get the chance. The right-hander will take a 4.47 ERA and 3.84 K/BB across 46-1/3 innings into his next start on Friday. Glasnow is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five starts against the Orioles, and 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts at Camden Yards.

Alex Cobb coughed up five runs on seven hits — including three homers — and a walk over four innings of work against the Yankees. He struck out three. The right-hander’s first start since August 29 went poorly, to say the least, as New York took Cobb deep twice before he even recorded the first out. It’s the first time in eight outings he’s served up multiple homers, while the rough return to action pushed his ERA above 5.00 for the first time this season. The Rays scored two runs on four hits over four innings of work against Cobb back on July 31, although they were able to chase him after 87 pitches. Overall, Cobb is 0-3 with a 4.61 ERA in five starts against his former team. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-4, 2B), Manuel Margot (1-2, 2B), Michael Perez (1-4, 2B), Hunter Renfore (1-2, 2B), Yoshi Tsutsugo (1-2, 2B), Joey Wendle (4-11)

Charlie Morton allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four across 4-1/3 innings on Sunday against the Red Sox. The Rays’ offense staked Morton to a narrow lead in the fourth inning, but the advantage quickly slipped away in the top of the fifth inning. On a more encouraging note, the right-hander threw 77 pitches (55 strikes, 71% strike rate) as he continues to steadily build back up to full strength following his month-long absence. Morton is 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore.

John Means allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four across six innings on Sunday against the Yankees. After posting shaky results to start the season, Means has settled into a groove over his past two outings, allowing one run over six innings in each appearance. While he was rewarded with the win his last time around, he had to settle for a no-decision Sunday as Baltimore mustered only one run. The right-hander relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball that has some added backspin, and an 85 mph changeup, while also mixing in a hard 87 mph slider and an 80 mph curveball with sweeping glove-side movement. Means is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in four games against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Michael Brosseau (4-9, 3 HR), Nate Lowe (1-3, HR), Kevan Smith (1-3, 2B)

Ryan Yarbrough took over with one out in the second and quickly went to work against the Nationals, working around a Carter Kieboom single and striking out two to get out of the frame unscathed. Even though Yarbrough went just 2-2/3 innings against the Nationals in his last start, the lefty posted 5-2/3 frames of one-run ball on this night, allowing five hits, and hitting a batter while striking out five. He threw 52 of 86 pitches for strikes (60% strike rate, 17% SwStr%). Yarbrough allowed just four hard-hit balls and kept the Nationals off-balance throughout the night.

Yarbrough’s biggest frame came in the fifth inning. After he allowed back-to-back hits with just a 2-0 lead, Victor Robles laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners up to second and third. But Adam Eaton grounded to third with the infield in, and Trea Turner popped to first to end the threat.

Washington was able to get run off Yarbrough in the sixth inning when Juan Soto doubled then came around to score on a pair of groundouts. Even so, Yarbrough held the Nationals to 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Yarbrough is 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven games (two starts) against Baltimore.

Jorge Lopez allowed one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings on Monday. He struck out three batters. Lopez dominated Atlanta’s lineup all night with the lone blemish — a solo shot by Freddie Freeman in the sixth inning. It didn’t hurt that his offense tallied 14 runs of support for the right-hander. Lopez moved to 2-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 5.23. Lopez relies primarily on a 94 mph sinker with slight arm-side run, a hard 81 mph 12-6 curveball with sharp downward bite, and a 94 mph four-seam fastball with some natural sinking action, while also mixing in a firm 87 mph changeup with slight arm-side fade. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2), Kevin Kiermaier (2-2, 2B), Manuel Margot (1-1)

TNWN: Rays vs. Nationals — a series preview, part two

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Kevan Smith accounted for 2/3 of the Rays offense on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After splitting a four-game series with the Red Sox, and an off-day on Monday, the Tampa Bay Rays will slide into the home stretch of the season when they welcome the reigning World Series champs into the Trop for a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Nationals dropped three-of-four to Atlanta over the weekend.

The Rays enter play 13 games over .500, with a 3-1/2 game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, and with a magic number of 10 to clinch the division (six over several other teams to clinch a playoff spot).

The Rays’ offense showed signs of life against the Red Sox, averaging 5.5 runs per game (RPG) over the life of the four-game set. Even so, half of the 22 total runs scored came on Friday when they defeated Boston 11-1. Taking that particular contest out of the equation, Tampa Bay was fortunate to win a second game given that they averaged just 3.67 RPG over the other three games and allowed an average of 4.33 runs. Tampa Bay also left a lot of chicken on the bone, hitting just .219 with runners in scoring position (7-for-32 overall, 0-for-7 on Sunday), and plating just a pair of two-out runs.

Washington’s offense continues to outpace the Rays in some regards, at least over a small two-week sample size, yet the Nationals underperform Tampa Bay in others — namely ISO, wOBA, wRC+, and wRAA.

Offense notwithstanding, the Nationals’ hurlers continue to be a liability, maintaining an overall 5.72 ERA/6.02 FIP over the last two weeks, and a 5.08 ERA/5.05 FIP across the life of the 2020 season. Needless to say, opener John Curtiss, Ryan Yarbrough, and Josh Fleming — as well as the rest of the Rays’ bullpen — need to keep the team in the thick of things the next two days, while Austin Meadows and Brandon Lowe, as well as the rest of the team, need to pounce on any of Washington’s mistakes. Lest we forget that the Nats’ pitching staff limited the Rays to four total runs a week ago, and limited them to 2-for-15 wRISP.

Pitching Probables

Over the next two days, Kevin Cash is expected to lean on Ryan Yarbrough (0-3, 4.31 ERA) and Josh Fleming (3-0, 4.12 ERA). Dave Martinez will counter with Aníbal Sánchez (2-4, 6.34 ERA) and Austin Voth (0-5, 7.99 ERA).

John Curtiss will serve as the series opener Tuesday ahead of Ryan Yarbrough, who will in the bulk role. Curtiss hasn’t allowed an earned run over his past 10 innings of work and maintains a 1.53 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 9 K/BB across 17-2/3 frames this season.

Ryan Yarbrough labored through 2-2/3 innings against the Nationals in his return from the Injured List on Tuesday. Yarbrough allowed four runs on six hits and a walk with just one strikeout on 70 total pitches (43 strikes, 61% strike rate, 16% SwStr%). He also hit a pair of batters. Yarbrough has a 4.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 2.7 K/BB over 39-2/3 innings on the season.

Aníbal Sánchez allowed three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks across five innings against the Rays on Tuesday. The right-hander started out by surrendering just two singles and two walks through five shutout inning, although he was pulled after giving up two singles and hitting a batter to start the sixth inning; all three baserunners came around to score. Sanchez enters Monday’s contest with a 6.34 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and 2.5 K/BB across 38-1/3 innings. Key Matchups: Kevin Kiermaier (3-9, 2B, 3B), Manuel Margot (1-4)

Josh Fleming allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five across 4-1/3 innings on Thursday against Boston. The left-hander allowed a pair of home runs that sunk his battleship and accounted for all three of his earned runs. Even though he has yet to take a loss, Fleming has allowed seven earned runs on 13 hits across his last 9-1/3 innings of work (spanning two starts).

Austin Voth allowed three runs on two hits and two walks across 4-1/3 innings against Atlanta on Thursday. He struck out four. Things were looking good for Voth in the early parts of Thursday’s outing as the right-hander retired the first nine batters he faced, while the Nats staked him to a 5-0 lead. Unfortunately, Voth lost his command in the fourth when he walked two and allowed a two-run homer to Freddie Freeman. He struck out Nick Markakis to start the fifth inning but was pulled a batter later after he hit Tyler Flowers. The 28-year-old was charged with one more run when Ronald Acuna hit a two-run homer off reliever Wander Suero. The mainly three-pitch pitcher relies primarily on a 92 mph four-seam fastball and a 79 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement, while also mixing in an 87 mph cutter which has some natural sink.

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are expected to activate reliever Oliver Drake (biceps tendinitis) on Tuesday. Drake will take the roster spot of first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi, who strained his left hamstring Saturday.

LBWMF: Rays pour it on the Red Sox, 11-1

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When you get your first homer of the season, and almost knock Willy Adames over in celebration of it.

The Tampa Bay Rays got off the schneid in a big way Friday night. With a historically left-handed lineup in tow, The Rays tagged Boston for 11 runs on 12 hits and two walks, subsequently defeating the Red Sox 11-1.

With the win, the Rays extended their lead over the Blue Jays to 4-1/2 games in the American League East. They enter play with a 100% chance of a postseason berth (96.1% chance of a division title) according to FanGraphs, while their magic number has been whittled down to nine (12 to win the AL East) with 15 games left to play.

Blake Snell got the start Friday night and fired off 5-1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits, and two walks while striking out five on 103 pitches (62 strikes, 60% strike rate, 24% SwStr%). Snell bounced back with a sharp performance against Boston, albeit one filled with deep counts — the left-hander found himself in seven full count situations which limited his ability to pitch deep in the ball game. That being said, it was Snell’s first scoreless start in nearly a month and he now carries a 3.23 ERA/4.37 FIP and a 3.57 K/BB over 39 innings on the season.

On the offensive side of things, after right-hander Andrew Triggs threw a scoreless first inning, left-hander Matt Hall entered in the bottom of the next frame. And after working a seven-pitch at-bat, Yoshi Tsutsugo crushed the eighth pitch into the ray tank for a 1-0 lead. It was his seventh homer of the season.

Two innings later, Tampa Bay scored all the runs they would need after Joey Wendle singled to left. Brandon Lowe followed with his second hit of the game, a base hit to center to put two on. After Wendle and Lowe executed a double steal, Kevin Kiermaier hit an RBI groundout for a two-run advantage.

Even though two runs was all they technically needed, the Rays weren’t done scoring runs…and we are all better for it.

In the fourth inning, Nate Lowe sparked a rally on a one-out base hit to left. After Michael Perez walked, advancing Lowe 90 feet, Austin Meadows doubled to right-center, scoring a pair of runs.

Then in the sixth inning, Nate Lowe homered to right off Domingo Tapia — his first home run of the season.

After Pete Fairbanks got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the sixth inning in relief of Snell, John Curtiss threw a scoreless seventh. In the home half of the frame, Robinson Leyer walked a pair of batters before Tsutsugo singled home a run, putting the Rays up by six.

Nate Lowe struck again in what should be billed as “his return to form at the plate,” lashing a three-run homer to into the Game 162 Landing, consequently chasing Leyer and giving the Rays a commanding 9-0 lead.

Ryan Sherriff worked the top half of the eighth before the Rays continued to plate runs in the bottom of the frame, scoring twice more. After Choi doubled to right-center, scoring Wendle (who also reached on a double), Kiermaier capped the scoring on his second RBI groundout of the game.

Boston was able to prevent a shutout in the ninth inning, yet by that point, it was too late. Aaron Loup allowed a run on back-to-back doubles to Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bobby Dalbec. Yet former Ray Christian Arroyo struck out looking, and Alex Verdugo grounded out to Brandon Lowe, who punctuated the put-out with a beautiful diving stop at second to end the game.

The New What Next

Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 4.35 ERA) will get the start Saturday, pitching opposite of Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 4.98 ERA) who, surprisingly, is coming off the Injured List. Who would’ve guessed?

Tyler Glasnow battled a migraine in Sunday’s game against the Marlins. Glasnow allowed three runs on four hits and three walks across 5-1/3 innings. He struck out nine on 105 pitches. He has now struck out at least eight in each of his last five starts and will take a 4.35 ERA into his start against Boston on Friday. The Red Sox beat up on Glasnow on August 13, tagging him five runs on eight hits and two walks, although they struck out eight times.

Nathan Eovaldi will be activated from the IL after missing just under two weeks with the mild calf strain. Prior to being shelved, Eovaldi hurled seven frames and allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six against the Orioles. The right-hander threw 64 of 97 pitches for strikes (66% strike rate) while walking less than two batters for the fifth time in six starts. His lone blemish was a solo home run served up to Pat Valaika in the seventh inning. Eovaldi will return to the mound with a 4.98 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 5.5 K/BB. The one-time Ray gave up four runs on six hits and a walk across five innings of work in his lone start against his former team on August 4.

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

TNWN: Rays vs. Red Sox — a series preview, part three

Rays 9/12/20 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows LF
  2. B. Lowe 2B
  3. Arozarena RF
  4. Choi DH
  5. Wendle 3B
  6. Adames SS
  7. N. Lowe 1B
  8. Margot CF
  9. Perez C

Noteworthiness

— The team could make a roster move before Saturday’s ball game as Oliver Drake (bicep tendinitis) is ready to be activated from the IL. The right-handed LOOGY has been sidelined since August 8th. The Rays are currently carrying 13 pitchers and 15 position players. Tampa Bay has another off-day on Monday, but after that, they may need more pitching given that they will play 10 games (including a doubleheader) in nine days.

— The Rays have acquired outfielder Michael Gigliotti from Kansas City (as a PTBNL) to complete a deal involving Rule 5 pick Stephen Woods Jr. Gigliotti will join the 60-man player pool. To make room for Gigliotti, INF Pedro Martinez has been placed on the Covid-19 related IL while he completes intake protocols.

LBWMF: Rays look to cap the Citrus Series with a W

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Suffice it to say, Bump Day didn’t go as planned for Blake Snell. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Miami snapped Tampa Bay’s nine-game win streak on Saturday night as the Rays fell to the Marlins, 7-3. Blake Snell gave up four, fourth-inning runs in the loss as Tampa Bay fell for just the fifth time in 26 games.

In spite of the loss, the Rays enter play Sunday no worse for the wear. They still maintain a 5-1/2 game lead over the Yankees in the division — due, in part, to New York’s second consecutive loss against the Orioles — and a 100% chance of their second consecutive playoff berth (94.8% chance of winning the division) according to FanGraphs.

Blake Snell got the start for Tampa Bay and looked to continue his success against the Marlins. And in the early goings, it looked like that would be the case as the southpaw fanned six, and allowed just one hit and a walk over the first three innings. However, things changed in the fourth when Jesus Aguilar walked for the second time in the game, and Brian Anderson — who had been 0-for-14 against Tampa Bay this season — doubled to right-center. Lewis Brinson struck out on a fastball, but the ball went off Michael Perez’s glove for a passed ball, allowing Aguilar to score and Anderson to move into third.

The Marlins extended their lead in the fifth when Aguilar hit a one-out flare to right, then went to second on Anderson’s grounder to first. Snell was able to force the next batter, Brinson, to ground into the shift, yet Brandon Lowe sailed his throw to first, which went into the Rays dugout, scoring Aguilar. The infield hit and the throwing error, which came with Anderson at third, plated a run. Miami wasn’t done. Two pitches later, former Ray Corey Dickerson homered to left-center, capping a the rally. Dickerson is now 3-for-16 this season against his former team, and all three hits have been long balls.

Snell finished the frame, which ultimately ended his night. All told, he allowed six hits and two walks while striking out eight. He was charged with five runs (four earned) in his first loss of the season.

As dominant as Snell has been to start games, he has struggled in the middle innings, with Snell entering Saturday’s contest with an ugly 11.25 ERA in the fourth inning — a trend that continued Saturday.

I need to be better, that’s just the bottom line. I’m happy with how I feel, I’m happy with how my pitches are working, I’m happy with how I’m learning, I’m happy with how I’m watching video and seeing what I should do and then doing it for the most part. There’s a lot of good takeaways, but I have to put this team in a spot to win and I gotta give them more innings, because I know I can do that, and I know that’s very attainable.

I just have to be more ready to throw that first pitch with intent. It’s me. It’s not physical. I can throw strikes any time I want. It’s 100 percent me, and I have to do a better job of that. I’m going to. I feel really good, man. I really do feel good. It’s going to start going my way, I know it is, just with all the work I’ve been putting in.

I just have to be in the zone and compete in the zone, because my stuff plays, and I know it does. I just have to do it. That’s what I’m looking forward to in my next start on Friday. I’m going to learn a lot, I’m going to get better, and on Friday we’ll see what I learned and what I didn’t learn. I’m looking forward to that.

— Blake Snell

Tampa Bay got on the board in the fifth against Sandy Alcántara, who was very good. Yoshi Tsutsugo walked then scored on a one-out double to right by Michael Pérez, his second hit of the night and his 11th RBI of the season. Sadly, Pérez had just two of the three hits allowed by Alcántara over his six innings of work. Alcántara walked three and punched out eight.

The former Rays Marlins struck again and put the game out of reach in the seventh inning against Aaron Slegers. The right-hander walked Aguilar with one out before Brinson doubled into left, past Nate Lowe at third. Matt Joyce, who entered the game for the injured Ramirez, sliced a two-run single to left, putting the Fish up by six.

The Rays were able to make things interesting with two-outs in the ninth, yet it was too little too late. Reliever Brandon Liebrandt walked Hunter Renfroe and Tsutsugo, while Randy Arozarena beat out a ground ball to second for an infield hit — loading the bases. Pérez was able to come through with a single to left-center, drawing Tampa Bay within four, but closer Brandon Kintzler entered the game and got Joey Wendle to ground to first, ending the contest.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay will wrap up the Citrus on Sunday with Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 4.24 ERA) on the mound. He will pitch opposite of left-handed rookie Trevor Rogers (1-0, 2.00 ERA).

Tyler Glasnow posted six innings of scoreless ball against New York, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out nine on 87 pitches (55 strikes, 63% strike rate). The right-hander kept the Yankees’ offense off-balance for most of the night by leaning on all three of his pitches. He threw his 97 mph four-seam fastball 55 times, his curveball 24 times (nine swings and misses, 16% SwStr%) — eight at-bats ended on the curveball, resulting in seven K’s and a groundout — and eight 92 mph changeups which he threw to whomever regardless of handedness. All told, New York hit just four hard-hit balls against Glasnow.

I just feel like every time he gets on the mound, especially his last couple starts, he’s figured something out — I’m playing behind greatness out there. I am.

Watching what he does and how silly he makes guys look every inning he’s out there, it’s incredible.

— Kevin Kiermaier

Trevor Rogers allowed two runs on five hits and two walks across five innings pitched against the Mets on Monday. He struck out five. After five walks prevented Rogers from working past the fourth inning in his first start, the southpaw issued just two free passes on Monday. Rogers spotted the Mets a 2-0 lead in the third inning, although Miami rallied for four runs off Jacob deGrom in the top of the sixth to take the lead. Rogers relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, while also mixing in a firm 85 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone, and an 81 mph slider with two-plane movement.

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

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

Rays 8/6/20 Starting Lineup

  1. Margot CF
  2. Arozarena LF
  3. Meadows DH
  4. Brosseau 3B
  5. Adames SS
  6. Wendle 2B
  7. Renfroe RF
  8. Smith C
  9. N. Lowe 1B

Noteworthiness

— It would appear that the Rays sustained yet another pitching injury on Saturday. Recently acquired Cody Reed retired two batters in the eighth then departed with a pinky injury. After the game, Kevin Cash said they are not overly concerned about the injury.

We’ll have a doctor check it out and see what comes up.

— Kevin Cash

— In Port Charotte, left-handed prospect Shane McClanahan sustained a left knee hyperextension while attempting to cover first base on a ground ball. He is expected to miss about two weeks.

— Ryan Yarbrough (left groin tightness), who has been sidelined since August 28th, threw a bullpen session on Friday. Cash said that there were no setbacks and that the next time the left-hander throws could be in a game this week.

The bullpen went really, really well. I spoke with (pitching coach Kyle Snyder) during the game. He said (Yarbrough) looked great. I think now it’s just a matter of him going through the bullpen and us finding where we’re going to slot him back in.

— Kevin Cash

Yarbrough is eligible to return from the Injured List on Tuesday, and it’s conceivable that his return could come that day against the Nationals. If not, Tampa Bay could slot him in on Thursday against Boston following the off-day on Wednesday.