On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays did something they hadn’t since the beginning of September, close out a series having won two games. They’ll look to exact some revenge on the Red Sox when they start a four-game set in Boston on Monday.
The Rays capped their home stand with a walk-off win off one of the best closers in the game, Zach Britton. It became the first time Britton allowed two extra base hits in relief, and it all began with a first pitch, game tying pinch-hit homer off the bat of Brandon Guyer. Britton has allowed just three home runs in 60 games, and this one proved costly for the lefty.
Evan Longoria followed with a one-out, opposite field triple, while Britton allowed back-to-back walks of Logan Forsythe (intentional), and Richie Shaffer. After Joey Butler went down swinging ― as he is wont to do ― Kevin Kiermaier beat out an 0-2 tapper to the right side, plating the winning run for Tampa Bay! It was the second walk-off win of the season for the Rays, and the first since April. It was also the first game winning walk-off hit of Kiermaier’s MLB career.
On the other hand, Boston continues to build its confidence for the 2016 season, while also playing the part of spoilers against playoff-bound teams. Winners of 14 of their last 22 games, the Red Sox look to ride that wave of momentum against the Rays.
James Loney is 11-for-22 during a six-game hitting streak for the Rays, while Xavier Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia have both collected nine game hitting streaks. Mikie Mahtook is 2-3 against Monday’s starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who did not factor into the decision after yielding three runs in five innings versus the Rays on July 31. Rookie Travis Shaw is 6-11 in his last three contests and has reached base safely in 12 straight.
Kevin Cash will start Chris Archer, Matt Moore, Drew Smyly, and Erasmo Ramirez over the next four days. Archer (12-12, 3.95 ERA) set the Rays’ single-season strikeout mark in a seven-strikeout performance against New York on Wednesday. The righty notched his 19th quality start of the season, while allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. Moore (1-4, 7.06 ERA) delivered his best outing of the season last Thursday, holding the Orioles to two hits over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts and no walks. The lefty, however, has struggled in two starts against Boston this season, allowing 12 earned runs on 18 hits. Smyly (3-2, 3.64 ERA) is two-for-two in quality starts versus the Red Sox this year, allowing just one earned run in a combined 12 innings of work, with 17 strikeouts and four walks. The lefty surrendered five earned runs on four hits against Baltimore on Friday. Finally, Ramirez (10-6, 3.70 ERA) has delivered quality starts in each of his last two outings, allowing a total of two earned runs and 10 hits in a combined 14-2/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
The Rays are 7-8 against the Red Sox this season (3-3 at Fenway), with a -5 run differential. That is, expect all four games to be close affairs.
Eduardo Rodriguez (9-6, 3.64 ERA) is slated for another 10-14 innings this season, as the Red Sox protect one of their most valuable hurlers. The lefty has pitched his most consistent baseball of late, going 3-1 with a 1.72 ERA over his last five starts. The Venezuelan rookie ― who primarily relies upon a 95 mph four seam fastball, an 88 mph change-up, and a, 87 mph slider ― has struck out 16 over 12-1/3 frames in his last two starts, and is 6-2 across 11 home starts. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3), Asdrubal Cabrera (1-3), Evan Longoria (1-2, BB), Mikie Mahtook (2-3, 2B, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3, RBI).
Henry Owens (3-2, 4.33 ERA) is coming off his best Major League start, as he hurled 7-2/3 shutout innings with no walks in a win over Baltimore. Owens is 1-1 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park, and has never faced Tampa Bay. The lefty boasts a four pitch repertoire, and he relies primarily on a 91 mph four seam fastball, and a 90 mph sinker. He also mixes in a 78 mph change-up, a 73 mph curveball, and a 78 mph slider for good measure.
Rick Porcello (8-13, 5.16 ERA) allowed five earned on eight hits, walking two and striking out four over six innings of a 6-1 loss to Toronto on Friday night. Porcello has improved since returning from the disabled list in late August, coming off a string of outings where he had completed at least seven innings, so it might be best to chalk up his subpar outing to facing a tough offense. The Rays tagged the righty for three runs on five scattered hits and three walks over seven innings back on September 12. Key matchups: JP Arencibia (1-4), Asdrubal Cabrera (15-52, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Logan Forsythe (4-10, 2 BB), John Jaso (3-1, HR, 3 RBI), James Loney (5-19, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Luke Maile (1-1, 2B, RBI), Daniel Nava (2-3, BB), Rene Rivera (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3).
Wade Miley (11-10, 4.34 ERA) allowed two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out seven in 6-2/3 innings in a win over Toronto on Saturday. Miley fought with his control, but kept the game tied before leaving the game. It was his third consecutive quality start, a stretch that also includes a three-run seven inning outing against Tampa Bay on September 11th. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (4-15, 3B), Brandon Guyer (3-10, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (3-6, 2B, 3B), James Loney (2-8, 2B, RBI), Rene Rivera (5-14, 2B, 2 RBI), Grady Sizemore (2-3, 2B).
Noteworthiness
― Evan Longoria, who needs one homer to reach 20 for the seventh time in his first eight years in the majors, is 4-9 with a double and a triple over the last two games.
― Jake McGee (knee) threw a simulated game on Sunday and is expected to return at some point this week.
― David Ortiz is 9-23 with two homers and 11 RBI against Chris Archer, who is 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts against Boston this season.
― The countdown to our last regular season watch party continues to tick down to Friday. Hope to see you at Green Bench Brewing Company then!
