After dropping the first two games of the series against the Marlins, the Tampa Bay Rays find themselves in salvage mode this afternoon. The Rays are looking to get back over .500 after dropping five of the last six games — a stretch of play where the team has been hit hard by injuries.
Aside from Wilson Ramos, who strained his hamstring in Minnesota, Matt Duffy has been out the past two games with back spasms after he tweaked his his back while turning the steering wheel on his truck. Duffy is back in the lineup today though. Kevin Kiermaier was pulled from Friday’s game with right foot soreness — extending from a bone bruise that he suffered in April — requiring a cortisone shot. And last night Adeiny Hechavarria left the game with left oblique tightness, he is listed as day-to-day. The injuries forced Rays skipper Kevin Cash to play Carlos Gomez at second base for a few innings yesterday.
Due to the injuries, Tampa Bay recalled Willy Adames from Triple-A Durham, and optioned Justin Williams after he made his big league debut last night.
The New What Next
A battle of titans in the series finale, as Chris Archer (3-4, 4.29 ERA) takes the mound opposite of Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.74 ERA).
Chris Archer lasted just 4-1/3 innings on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out seven. The erratic right-hander failed to finish five innings for the second straight start, laboring with just 59 strikes on 93 pitches (63% strike rate). On the bright side, he induced 16 swinging strikes (27% SwStr), allowing him to supplement his line via the strikeout column. It was only his second start since returning from the DL, so maybe he still has some rust to shake off. For Archer, the hope is for a turnaround in the second half, pushing him more toward his 3.79 FIP.
Trevor Richards threw 3-/23 innings in a no-decision against Washington on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on four hits, while striking out five but walking seven (a season-high). Richards couldn’t put himself in line for a win thanks to his command issues, resulting in him tossing 87 pitches over the course of his outing. Overall, Richards’ 5.24 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP through 56-2/3 innings. Richards allowed four runs on nine hits (including a homer) against the Rays on July 3. Key Matchups: Adeiny Hechavarria (2-2, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3), Daniel Robertson (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (2-2, RBI), Joey Wendle (1-3)
You can read about the series in our preview.
The New What Next: Rays vs Marlins part two — an interleague series preview
Rays 7/22/18 Starting Lineup
Wendle 2B
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Gomez RF
Smith CF
Adames SS
Moore C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
— Pitching reinforcements. Jake Faria is expected to start this afternoon for Durham, while Jonny Venters should appear for the Charlotte Stone Crabs after his appearance was washed out yesterday. Both hurlers are expected back soon.