The photo above…
Source: FanGraphs
…along with the leverage index graph…
…and the scoring summary tells the story of the Mariners’ 12-5 handling of the Rays.
There isn’t much I can say on the subject of Monday night’s loss. To his credit, Cesar Ramos saved the pen by eating 6-2/3 innings, and retired the final 12 batters he faced in order — the only positives I can cull up. If you’re a sadist and want to relive the Devil Rays‘ loss, mosey on over to DRaysBay, where you can read all of the gory details.
The New What Next
It won’t be any easier Tuesday night, when David Price and Hisashi Iwakuma toe the rubber opposite of one another. Price needs to pitch like the ace he is, while the offense needs to do what they’ve done in the past against Iwakuma, if they hope to turn things around. You can read about the matchup in our series preview, and I’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.
Rays 5/13/14 Starting Lineup
Myers RF
DeJesus DH
Longoria 3B
Zobrist 2B
Loney 1B
Jennings CF
Joyce LF
Escobar SS
Molina C
Price LHP
Noteworthiness
- Here is Cesar Ramos talking about his rough outing in last night’s 12-5 loss to the Mariners
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/hI9Xo62XBAo”]
- Wil Myers snapped the Rays 13-2/3 inning hitless streak against King Felix with a second inning infield single to second base. The streak extended back to April 30, 2012, with the last Ray to get a hit being Carlos Peña.
- Look at the bright side, Alex Cobb is on track to a May 22nd return. Cobb tossed a four inning simulated game Monday, giving up only two hits while striking out eight on 60 pitches. He averaged 90-91 MPH with his fastball. Cobb will make a six-inning rehab start Saturday with either the Stone Crabs or the Durham Bulls.
- Per Marc Topkin, LHP Enny Romero is on his way to Seattle. With David Price getting the start tonight, it could be assumed the Rays may have a concern about Jake Odorizzi, who is scheduled to start Wednesday.
- I’ll be writing a piece titled “The Case For Wilson Betemit,” tonight. My question to you, dear friends, is this: Who would you rather see on the bench for the Rays, and why? Your choices are: Betemit, Sean Rodriguez, Logan Forsythe, and Brandon Guyer.
- At 16-23, the Rays will reach the quarter pole of the season (40 games) tonight, assured of their worst record since 2006 (16-24). What’s more, per Roger Mooney, since divisional realignment, the Yankees are the only AL East team to reach the playoffs with a losing record through 40 games (in ’95 and ’07). 21 teams have reached the postseason after posting a losing record through 40 games. Four have reached the World Series, including the ’03 Marlins.