After winning a fifth consecutive game against the Chicago White Sox, 3-2, on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to earn a series win tonight on the south side of Chicago.
At 22-5 on the season, the Rays enter play 17 games over .500 and in first place in the division.
Friday’s 3-2 win over Chicago was a Rays-way win through and through — boasting solid defense, good pitching, and timely hitting.
Zach Eflin made his second start since returning from the Injured List and was effective, tossing five innings of two-run ball. He surrendered six hits and two walks on 74 pitches (47 strikes, 64% strike rate) while striking out five. The cold weather in Chicago impacted Eflin’s ability to grip the ball…especially his sinker. In the first inning, after giving up a solo home run to Jake Burger, Eflin uncorked a wayward sinker into Luis Robert’s back. He was able to escape a fourth-inning, one-out, bases-loaded situation that arose after he allowed pair of singles and a walk. The right-hander got Lenyn Sosa to strike out, and Andrew Benintendi to ground out to second to end the frame without any damage to his line. Eflin now owns a 3.00 ERA and a 3.78 FIP on the season, with a 7.00 K/BB, and a 1.14 WHIP across 21 frames.
Aside from some fantastic defensive plays on the infield, a big swing moment in the game came in the bottom of the eighth, when Randy Arozarena robbed Burger of a homer.
Burger sent a fly ball to deep left field, but Arozarena raced back to the wall and leaped to rob the White Sox of the go-ahead lead.
Off the bat, all I did was to try to be explosive with my first step and just go to the wall as fast as I could. Luckily, I was able to locate it pretty quick. I knew that I could make the play, but luckily, I was able to.
— Randy Arozarena
The catch preceded another big moment a half inning later.
Ahead in the count 1-0, Isaac Paredes launched a misplaced Kendall Gravemen sinker 375 feet into the left-field seats, giving the Rays a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
It should be noted that a couple of players left the game early with apparent injuries.
Yandy Díaz departed in the fifth inning with left shoulder soreness after sliding headfirst into home plate in the first inning — scoring on a Brandon Lowe pop-out to shallow center field.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Díaz will receive treatment on Saturday. And while he planned to give the infielder the day off even before the issue, Díaz — who noted that he’s dealt with the issue at times over the past year — said he will be ready to play if needed.
It bothers me a little bit every once in a while, but I know it’s something that I’ve got to work through since it’s something that started off last year. I think it’s just going to get better with days and rest.
— Yandy Díaz
Pete Fairbanks left the field with two outs in the ninth inning. Cash said the issue is “very similar” to what the right-hander dealt with in the 2022 postseason when he experienced numbness in his fingers as a result of Raynaud’s disease.
These colder temperatures, just seems like he loses some circulation for whatever reason. We’ll continue to get it looked at and come up with something where he can keep his fingers warm.
— Kevin Cash
Fairbanks said after the game that he and the team will explore ways to combat the situation.
I’m going to try and figure out a way and if they’ve got to pry me off the mound, then they’ve got to pry me off the mound. But I am going to do my [best] to be out there in that same situation tomorrow or the next day.
— Pete Fairbanks
The New What Next
Yonny Chirinos (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.22 FIP) will pitch in the bulk role on Saturday behind Calvin Faucher. They’ll be opposed by the big bastard, Lance Lynn (0-3, 7.52 ERA, 5.95 FIP).
Yonny Chirinos has yet to allow a run in three relief appearances (9.1 innings) and has maxed out at 46 pitches and 3.2 innings per outing. Kevin Cash could look to keep him around the 60-to-75-pitch or 4-to-5-inning range Saturday, although the right-hander should face minimal workload restrictions in his subsequent outings. So far, Chirinos owns a 0.00 ERA and a 3.22 FIP, with a 0.54 WHIP, and a 2.50 K/BB.
Lance Lynn allowed four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings against Toronto. He struck out four. Lynn posted three scoreless innings before getting into trouble in the fourth. After retiring the first two batters in the frame, the swarthy right-hander allowed five consecutive baserunners to reach, including a three-run homer by Cavan Biggio that gave Toronto a 4-2 lead. Lynn has allowed multiple runs in each of his five starts this season and has gotten through six innings just once. He currently maintains a 7.52 ERA and a 5.95 FIP, with a 1.78 WHIP, but a 2.46 K/BB through 26.1 innings. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-3, 2B), Brandon Lowe (2-6, HR, RBI, BB), Manuel Margot (4-6)
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup is below.
Rays 4/29/23 Starting Lineup
- B. Lowe 2B
- Franco SS
- Arozarena LF
- J. Lowe DH
- Paredes 1B
- Walls 3B
- Raley RF
- Mejía C
- Siri CF