If you subscribe to the idea that the Tampa Bay Rays still have a shot of a postseason berth — albeit it an incredible small shot — then it is safe to assume that the upcoming 10 game home stand is incredibly important. To put it bluntly, if they don’t walk away with three series wins against their AL East foes, they’re toast.
Enter the Red Sox.
The Sox look significantly different than they had in their late July visit to The Trop. Gone are pitchers Jon Lester, John Lackey, Felix Doubront, Jake Peavy and Andrew Miller; outfielder Jonny Gomes; and Stephen Drew. Moreover, Jackie Bradley Jr. has been optioned to Triple-A, Mike Carp is now a Ranger, and Shane Victorino and Xander Bogaerts on the DL. They brought in Yeonis Cespedes, Allen Craig and RHP Joe Kelly, as well as a bunch of prospects and minor-leaguers. Those stalwarts David Ortiz (30 homers, 94 RBI), Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli are still on the roster. After dropping eight straight, they took two-of-three from the Blue Jays.
Anthony Ranaudo: The 24-year-old RHP took the spot of the recently departed John Lackey. Ranaudo was 12-4 with a 2.41 ERA in 21 starts with Triple-A Pawtucket. He posted 99 strikeouts and a two-to-one K/BB in 119-1/3 innings. Ranaudo features a mid 90’s fastball which he’s able to execute down in the zone, a good curveball, and a change that he can throw against both righties and lefties.
Allen Webster: Webster (3-2, 5.81 ERA) put together a good three hit/two run outing against Tampa Bay back at the end of July — his first start with the Red Sox. He’s given up 18 runs in 25-2/3 innings since, good for a 6.31 ERA. Key matchups: Desmond Jennings (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), Ben Zobrist (1-1, 2 BB).
Clay Buchholz: If I may, Buchholz (5-8, 5.77 ERA) has been abysmal this season. The Red Sox are 4-8 in their last 12 games when Buchholz has taken the mound. Meanwhile, the 30 year-old RHP has given four or more runs in seven of those 12 games. Red Sox GM Ben suggested that Buchholz doesn’t have a consistent feel for his secondary pitches, namely his changeup. “He’s always been a guy who’s gotten hitters out with his entire mix, not by being a fastball-dominant pitcher, not by relying exclusively on one pitch, but by mixing and using all his pitches in all parts of the zone and being hard to hit because he’s unpredictable,” Said Cherington. “He just has not had a feel for the entire mix this year. That’s sort of the end result.” Key matchups: Matt Joyce (6-22, 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB), Jose Molina (7-22, 2B, 4 RBI, BB), Sean Rodriguez (3-10, 2B, RBI).
Rubby De La Rosa: De La Rosa (4-5, 3.81 ERA) absolutely owned the Rays in his only start against Tampa Bay on May 31, holding Longo and company to only four hits in a seven inning gem. He walked none, and struck out eight. De La Rosa is a pretty traditional pitcher with a good change-up (18% whiffs), however he’s thrown fewer of them and his strikeout rate halved (22.6% to 10.8%) and his walk rate doubled (5.5% to 11.4%). Key matchups: Desmond Jennings (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), James Loney (1-3), Evan Longoria (1-4), Wil Myers (1-1, 2B, RBI), Ben Zobrist (1-3, 2B).
Noteworthiness
- Per Marc Topkin, it’s looking like the Rays will call up four or five players Monday, probably Curt Casali, David DeJesus, Brandon Gomes, and another reliever. They may wait on adding another starter with Durham in the playoffs.
- Drew Smyly is at a career-most 141-1/3 innings. The Rays are planning on limiting him to 150-160 innings (in the regular season).
- Over the last 15 games (and 64 at-bats) Evan Longoria has batted for a .266 BA and slugged for a .438 SLG, with three homers and two doubles, seven runs, and 16 runs batted in.
- Xander Bogaerts, who was on the concussion DL, is expected back Saturday.
- The Rays lead the season series 7-5, and are 5-1 at The Trop. The Red Sox lead 167-123 overall, and are 74-71 at Tropicana Field.