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The New What Next: Rays vs Pirates — a series preview

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Adeiny Hechavarria is expected to join the Rays in Pittsburgh this week. (Photo Credit: CBS Sports)

Following a disappointing series loss against the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays departed from the Sunshine State and hit the road for an eight-game, nine-day road trip. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays will play the first of three games against the sub .500 Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh.

(Stats: ESPN)

Tampa Bay dropped two straight to a struggling Baltimore team to lose their first series since the start of June. They let a late 5-4 lead slip away on Sunday, as the bullpen once again collapsed. Alex Colome (1-3) ultimately took the loss after he allowed three uncharacteristic runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out just one in one inning of work. Still, Tampa Bay starts the series three-games behind the Yankees and Red Sox, who are in a virtual tie for first place in the AL East.

The Rays acquired Adeiny Hechevarria from the Marlins on Monday, giving them an elite glove at shortstop. He won’t do much at the plate, however, Hechevarria will shore up the defense up the middle. He is expected to join the team on the road in Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, the Pirates missed a chance to sweep St. Louis and fell five games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. In the series finale, Pittsburgh led 4-2 they gave up two runs in the sixth and four in the seventh. Juan Nicasio (1-4) took the loss after he allowed four of those runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning. The Pirates are limited by the PED suspension of Starling Marte, and injuries to Antonio Bastardo and Francisco Cervelli — the latter of which is dealing with the lingering symptoms of a concussion. On Thursday, the team put Cervelli back on the DL, where he’ll likely remain for the duration of this series.

The Rays are 5-1 in their last six interleague road games overall, and 4-0 in their last four interleague road games against a team with a losing record. On the flip side, the Pirates are 0-4 in their last four interleague games against a right-handed starter — of which they’ll face two over the life of the series.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Kevin Cash will lean on Alex Cobb (6-5, 4.05 ERA, 4.15 FIP), Blake Snell (with AAA 5-0, 2.66 ERA, 3.09 FIP), and Chris Archer (6-4, 3.88 ERA, 2.89 FIP) over the next three days. Clint Hurdle will counter with Trevor Williams (2-2, 5.01 ERA, 4.11 FIP), Ivan Nova (7-5, 3.06 ERA, 3.79 FIP), and Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.33 ERA, 3.79 FIP).

(Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Cobb delivered his third consecutive quality start (the seventh in his last 10 games) in a 6-5 win over the Reds, on Tuesday. The right-hander threw seven innings of two run ball, notching six strikeouts. It was his second straight outing of more than 110 pitches. For what it’s worth, Cobb has gotten more comfortable with his changeup of late, and it’s regained some of its pre-surgery depth; the thing that made it such a dangerous weapon in the first place. He has shaved two-to-three inches of vertical movement off the pitch since the start of the season. For Cobb, the velocity never has been what’s made the pitch deadly, rather it is the movement. Bereft of the late break, his split-change became a meatball over the plate that begged to be crushed.

Williams struck out a career-high seven batters, while allowing three runs over six innings against the Brewers. Since moving from the bullpen, he has pitched into the sixth inning in five of his nine starts. He, however, has a 5.34 ERA at home this season, and a 5.09 through 58-1/3 innings overall. Why the inflated peripherals? Williams has allowed hitters to elevate, and has stranded just 63.2% of baserunners this season. That bodes well for a Rays team that’s shown the ability to string together some hits and knock the ball out of the park.

Snell rejoins the rotation after making adjustments at Triple-A Durham, where he posted a pristine 5-0 record. Something clicked with the southpaw, and he struck out 61 over 44 innings to pair with a 2.66 ERA/3.10 FIP in Durham — this, after fanning 34 in 42 innings with a 6.00 ERA with the Rays. He pitched into the seventh inning in all but two of those starts.

Nova allowed four runs on 11 hits over seven innings against the Brewers on Thursday. He has thrown at least six innings in each of his 15 starts this season. The 30 year-old right-hander owns a 2.53 ERA in seven home outings this year, partially because of his impeccable control this season. He’s walked a paltry 11 batters over 103-2/3 innings of work this season, but due to all that strike throwing, he has been known to allow the long-ball. Nova is 8-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 16 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (5-11, HR, 2 RBI), Corey Dickerson (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (11-38, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 BB), Wilson Ramos (1-3)

Archer received plenty of run support in a 15-5 win over the Orioles, which is good because he wasn’t particularly great. Archer gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings on Friday. He also fanned a season-low four batters. The Rays hope their ace can bounce back in the series finale on Thursday.

Taillon hurled six strong innings and struck out seven on Friday, holding the Cardinals to two runs on four hits. This season Taillon has relied upon a mid-90s fastball (both two and four seam), and an upper 80s changeup. The 25 year-old right-hander isn’t a strikeout machine, rather he gets by by coaxing ground balls and slowing down the pace of the game if/when runners get aboard. That approach has its virtues and disadvantages, as Taillon has posted three starts without an earned run, and three starts with at least four. Key Matchup: Adeiny Hechavarria (1-2)

Noteworthiness

— Brad Boxberger will make another rehab appearance for the Stone Crabs Tuesday night. Boxberger had oblique tightness after his last appearance for the Durham Bulls and was not activated over the weekend as expected. If all goes well, he could be activated during this series.

LBWMF: Rays fall to the Orioles, 8-3; Blake Snell to be recalled

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The Buffalo didn’t fare as well as he could have in his debut, going 1-4 with a strikeout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Jake Faria put together a fourth consecutive quality start on Saturday for the Tampa Bay Rays, however, the bullpen allowed four runs to break open a tie game in the seventh. The Rays saw their three-game win streak come to an end with an 8–3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore took an early three-run lead against Faria, who hadn’t allowed more than a run in his first three big league starts. Trey Mancini was hit by an 0–2 pitch in the second, then Wellington Castillo followed with a homer to left on a hanging 3–2 slider. It was the first homer Faria allowed this season (the first of two on the day). The Orioles extended the lead in the third on a two-out solo homer off the bat of Adam Jones, which eluded the leaping Mallex Smith.

Yet Faria followed with three scoreless innings, keeping the Rays in the game. Granted he was not as sharp as he had been his first three starts, however, a 1.35 ERA and 1.04 FIP aren’t sustainable over the long-term. And while his command wasn’t as crisp as it had been, it wasn’t terrible. In the end, he was undone by a hit batsman and a pair of long-balls on two mistake pitches. All told, Faria posted his fourth consecutive quality start on the back of a 6 IP/5 H/3 ER/1 BB/108 pitch (74 strikes) line. If that constitutes a bad start, I’ll gladly take it.

The Rays were able to come back from the deficit to tie the contest in the third. Mallex Smith got things started by earning a two out free pass against Dylan Bundy, and Corey Dickerson drilled the next pitch over the wall in right — just to the right of the Dan Johnson Game 162 commemorative seat — his 17th homer of the season.

Evan Longoria followed with a homer to right-center on the very next pitch — his 11th homer of the season.

Longoria’s solo home run

Evan Longoria belts a solo shot to right field immediately after Corey Dickerson crushes a homer of his own, tying the game at 3

It was the 10th time this season the Rays hit back-to-back homers, setting a new club record.

Yet Bundy kept the Rays in check from there, allowing just two additional walks and a hit. He went seven innings and gave up three runs on five hits, while walking four and fanning eight. The Orioles ended their MLB record tying streak of having allowed five runs or more in 20 Consecutive games (Philadelphia 1924).

Jose Alvarado took over in the seventh and walked Seth Smith to start the frame, after falling behind 3–2. With only righties remaining in the lineup, Kevin Cash called upon Jumbo Diaz — who has the stuff, but not the consistency.

Manny Machado laid down a beautifully placed bunt single up the left side on the first pitch. After Jonathan Schoop struck out, both runners moved into scoring position on Adam Jones’ groundout to second. With two out, Mark Trumbo worked the count full before hitting a 3–2 hanging slider to left-center for a double, putting Baltimore back in front at 5–3. Mancini followed by sending a first-pitch fastball into the right field seats, capping the rally. The Rays began the bottom of the frame down by four, and the damage had been done on just four pitches.

Baltimore added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, off Diaz, by collecting a pair of bunt singles, before Machado drove home Joey Rickard on a sacrifice fly to deep center.

The New What Next

The Rays will look for meatloaf in the series finale Sunday afternoon. Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.78 ERA, 5.34 FIP) gets the start, opposite of Chris Tillman (1-5, 8.39 ERA, 6.52 FIP). Tampa Bay has won seven straight rubber matches, and is 8–1–3 over the team’s last 12 series.

Odorizzi equaled a season high in his seven inning start against Cincinnati his last time out. He, however, continued his stretch of games, where he allowed at least a homer to 10 games straight — one shy of a franchise record. The right-hander cruised through the first four innings, yet a solo home run by Scott Schebler in the fifth inning and a two-run shot from Scooter Gennett in the sixth left the Rays down by three when he departed after the seventh. Still, the right-hander delivered his second quality start in the last three outings and holds a respectable 3.78 ERA (but a bloated 5.34 FIP) for the season.

Tillman hasn’t earned a win since May 7, his first start of the season. The right-hander was pulled after he allowed five earned runs over four innings against Cleveland on Tuesday. After missing the first month of the season due to a shoulder issue, and then tossing five pristine innings in his 2017 debut, Tillman’s been nothing short of a dumpster fire. His ERA now stands at 8.39, and the only thing that’s kept him in the rotation is a lack of alternatives within the organization. The Rays have handed him a career 8-11 record and a 4.11 ERA in 25 starts. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, RBI, BB), Peter Bourjos (1-2), Evan Longoria (19-63, 4 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 11 RBI, 5 BB), Logan Morrison (6-14, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (3-11, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (6-20, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB)

You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/25/17 Starting Lineup

Smith CF
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Plouffe DH
Robertson SS
Featherston 2B
Sucre C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Cash announced that LHP Blake Snell will again be promoted from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, while RHP Erasmo Ramirez will return to the bullpen, effective immediately — citing the need for a way to get the ball to Alex Colome.

The Rays will make a corresponding move Wednesday.

Snell has been great since being optioned back to Durham on May 13. In seven starts with the Bulls, the southpaw has hurled 44 innings of 2.66 ERA/3.07 FIP baseball, while striking out 61 and walking 15 — that’s effectively a 4-to-1 K/BB if you’re keeping track. He’s thrown at least six innings in five of those seven starts.

Ramirez, reportedly, was not pleased by the decision and declined to talk about the move this morning with the media.

Rays 6/24/17 starting lineup; pregame notes

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More of this, please. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

Rays 6/24/17 Starting Lineup

Smith CF
Dickerson DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr. RF
Ramos C
Peterson LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Faria RHP

Noteworthiness

— Brad Boxberger will not be activated today because of a sore oblique following Wednesday’s 30+ pitch outing. He will throw a side session tomorrow, to make sure everything is okay, then expects to be activated by next week, when the Rays face the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

— Behold, the Buffalo has been activated is in the lineup, hitting sixth. You can read more about his activation here.

— Don’t forget to read about today’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

Rays 6/23/17 starting lineup and pregame notes; Colby Rasmus placed on the 10-day DL

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Colby Rasmus has been placed on the 10-day DL, retroactive to June 19. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays are back at it tonight, when they will welcome the Baltimore Orioles into the Trop for a three-game series. The Rays will try to add some distance between them and the bottom of the league, while the Orioles will try to become relevant again.

Rays 6/23/17 Starting Lineup

Smith CF
Dickerson DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Peterson LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Norris C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— Even though they were expected to make multiple roster moves this afternoon, the only move the Rays made had more to do with the loss of a player — that being OF Colby Rasmus, who was placed on the 10-day DL left hip tendinitis (retroactive to June 19) — as opposed to one or two critical pieces. Rasmus told Roger Mooney (Tampa Bay Times) that the tendinitis, which he also experienced a bout with it during Spring Training, is related to his offseason surgery. He can be activated from the DL as early as June 29, and expects to be back when asked to return.

OF Shane Peterson, who spent some time with the Rays earlier this season, will take Rasmus’ place on the roster while he mends.

It was believed that both RHP Brad Boxberger and C Wilson Ramos would be activated from the DL as early as this afternoon. While Ramos is currently at the Trop, he isn’t certain when he’ll be activated

I’m ready, said Ramos. As soon as they tell me I’ll be able.

Likewise, Boxberger also is on hand at the Trop, as he is done with his rehab assignment. He, too, is waiting to be given the word on when he will be activated.

— Per Chris Cotillo (SB Nation), SS Adeiny Hechavarria will soon be traded, and the Rays reportedly have interest, along with the Cardinals and Orioles.

— You can read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

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

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On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will again welcome the Baltimore Orioles into the Trop for a three-game series. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will again welcome the Baltimore Orioles into Tropicana Field for a three-game series.

(Stats: ESPN)

When considering the 2017 PECOTA projections, the Rays are living up to their expectations. They’ll head into the series just 2-1/2 games out of first place, seated comfortably in second place (with the Yankees and Red Sox virtually tied for first) in one of the best divisions in baseball. That doesn’t mean they are playing excellent baseball, rather, they’re out-hitting their mistakes — something they will have to tighten up if they hope to remain relevant.

It’s a big series for both teams as we quickly approach the midway point of the season. The Rays have an opportunity to further separate themselves from the two teams beneath them in the standings. Though with the recent slump by the Yankees, the AL East appears to be up for grabs, and as bad as the Orioles have played, they are still only five games out of first place.

Still, the Orioles are 1-10 in their last 11 road games against a team with a winning record — 6-20 in their last 26 road games against a team with a winning home record. Meanwhile, the Rays are 4-1 in their last five games against a team with a losing record, 7-2 in their last nine home games.

A simple fact, Baltimore is terrible on the road, while Tampa Bay has been great at home.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on Chris Archer (5-4, 3.75 ERA, 2.88 FIP), Jacob Faria (3-0, 1.37 ERA, 1.51 FIP), and Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.78 ERA, 5.34 FIP). Buck Showalter will counter with Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2, 6.94 ERA, 7.08 FIP), Dylan Bundy (7-6, 3.72 ERA, 4.64 FIP), and Chris Tillman (1-5, 8.39 ERA, 6.52 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Archer picked up his first win since May 26 in a 3-2 victory over Detroit. He fanned eight over six innings, while allowing two earned runs. The right-hander also extended his franchise-record streak of 100-pitch games to 24. After struggling through his last outing (four runs across six innings), Archer notched his fourth quality start in six tries. He has been inconsistent as of late, although the right-hander boasts a solid 3.75 ERA/2.88 FIP to go with an impressive 11.4 K/9 through 15 starts. Baltimore tagged Archer for five runs 6-2/3 innings of work earlier this season.

Jimenez worked around four hits and four walks in an impressive seven-inning return to the mound as a started on Sunday; his first start since May 22. His four previous outings came in relief. Showalter had Jimenez on a short leash in his last start against the Rays, who tagged him for three runs on three hits (including a homer) and five walks over just 3-1/3 innings on April 24. Still, the right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA against Tampa Bay over nine career starts. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (1-1, BB), Logan Morrison (5-9, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Colby Rasmus (13-43, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

Faria continued his impressive rookie campaign, holding Detroit to just one run over seven innings while fanning nine. He walked only one. Faria became only the fifth pitcher since 1913 to pick up a win while hurling at least six innings and allowing no more than a run in each of his first three career games.

Bundy received a loss on Monday after surrendering six earned runs on six hits (including a homer) 4-1/3 innings against Cleveland. It appears that Bundy’s recent struggles are the result of a heavy workload, so he has been pushed back in the order so he can get some extra days of rest. Bundy, Baltimore’s former top prospect, certainly could use that rest, as he has a 7.63 ERA in his past three starts. To his credit, Bundy threw 6-1/3 quality innings against Tampa Bay on April 26, allowing just two runs on four hits (including two homers). Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (2-8, HR, RBI), Logan Morrison (2-8, 2B)

Odorizzi equaled a season high in his seven inning start against Cincinnati his last time out. He, however, continued his stretch of games, where he allowed at least a homer to 10 games straight — one shy of a franchise record. The right-hander cruised through the first four innings, yet a solo home run by Scott Schebler in the fifth inning and a two-run shot from Scooter Gennett in the sixth left the Rays down by three when he departed after the seventh. Still, the right-hander delivered his second quality start in the last three outings and holds a respectable 3.78 ERA (but a bloated 5.34 FIP) for the season.

Tillman hasn’t earned a win since May 7, his first start of the season. The right-hander was pulled after he allowed five earned runs over four innings against Cleveland on Tuesday. After missing the first month of the season due to a shoulder issue, and then tossing five pristine innings in his 2017 debut, Tillman’s been nothing short of a dumpster fire. His ERA now stands at 8.39, and the only thing that’s kept him in the rotation is a lack of alternatives within the organization. The Rays have handed him a career 8-11 record and a 4.11 ERA in 25 starts. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, RBI, BB), Peter Bourjos (1-2), Evan Longoria (19-63, 4 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 11 RBI, 5 BB), Logan Morrison (6-14, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (3-11, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (6-20, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB)

Noteworthiness

— Reinforcements are expected this weekend! Brad Boxberger and Wilson Ramos are both expected to make their 2017 debuts with the Rays this weekend, potentially as early as Friday. Boxberger will, ideally, help stabilize a beleaguered bullpen, while Ramos — who helped Washington’s pitchers earn a 3.45 ERA with him behind the plate, while also cultivating a 33.3% caught stealing rate — will be a nice addition to the roster, both offensively and defensively.

We will have a roster update when either of the two (or both) are activated from the DL.

— The Rays signed right-handed reliever Mike Broadway, and assigned him to Double-A Montgomery.

— INF Michael Martinez, who was designated for assignment this week, cleared waivers and elected for free agency. Good riddance.