The Tampa Bay Rays resumes their six game home stand Friday, with a three-game weekend series against the Cleveland Indians. Oh…the similarities between the Rays and the Indians. Both teams are under .500, toward (or at) the bottom of their respective divisions. Yet the Indians are on a hot streak, having gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, while the Rays have whimpered — posting a 4-6 record in the same span, and fresh off a sigh-inducing three-game sweep at the hands of the Orioles. Cleveland just completed a 5-2 home stand, capped off by a sweep of Minnesota.
Granted the Indians have lost 14 of their last 19 at Tropicana Field, however the Rays have now lost five in a row at the Trop — something they haven’t done since June 17-26, 2005. Where the Indians seek to remain hot, the Rays will attempt to put the pieces back together.
For the Indians, CF Michael Bourn returned to the lineup Thursday after missing four games with a tight hamstring. That doesn’t mean the Tribe are without injuries though. 2B Jason Kipnis (oblique strain) and DH Jason Giambi (calf) are both on the DL. Because of those injuries, Carlos Santana has seen more action at 3B, with Yan Gomes the primary catcher. Even with the loss of Ubaldo Jimenez, the Indians rotation has improved steadily following their rough start, while the bullpen has unexpectedly been among the American Leagues best. One thing is certain; despite the injuries, the Indians manager, Terry Francona, is always prepared.
Cory Kluber: The Rays have accrued all of two innings of experience against Cory Kluber over the last three seasons, which stands to reason — he saw all of 12 major league starts prior to the 2013 season. So what do we know about the former journeyman? Kluber’s got a sinker that averages in the 93 MPH range, and a cutter which he compliments with an absolutely filthy change-up. From there, his slider is probably his best pitch. Though he only threw it 11% of the time last season, he was able to get it across for strikes 40.91%, including a ridiculous 25.45% whiff rate. Per Rotowire, Kluber struck out a career-high 13 Sunday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks in eight innings, but did not earn a decision.
Zach McAllister: Tampa Bay hasn’t culled much success against Zach McAllister over the last three seasons. And though McAllister’s recorded a 1-2 record against the Rays, he put together a 2.86 ERA along the way in those four starts. In his last start Monday, McAllister struck out eight 6-2/3 scoreless innings against the Twins. Once described as a sinker/slider guy, McAllister become more of a power pitcher once he joined the Indians, utilizing his mid-90’s fastball along with his low-80’s curve and mid-80’s change as his offspeed offerings. Key match-ups: James Loney (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Evan Longoria (2-6, RBI).
Josh Tomlin: Tomlin picked up his first win since 2012 in his season debut Tuesday, tossing 6-2/3 innings of four-hit, one-run ball against the Twins. Tomlin is 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA in his last four starts against the Rays. What do we know about the pitcher who hadn’t seen major league action since 2012? The fastball/cutter/curveball/change-up throwing pitcher tends to keep most of his fastballs and cutters on the outer thirds of the plate or just off the edges. At times, his cutter has enough movement to resemble a slider. Key match-ups: David DeJesus (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Ryan Hanigan (1-2), Matt Joyce (4-9, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Jose Molina (4-7, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Sean Rodriguez (2-8, 2B).
Noteworthiness
- Indians lead the series against the Rays 75-50 overall, and 32-30 at Tropicana Field.