The Tampa Bay Rays are back at it Monday night, when they start a four game series against the Orioles in Baltimore. While the Rays are coming off a series win against the Blue Jays, the Orioles faced a power outage of sorts on the north side of Chicago, where the Cubs held them a total of four runs over the course of a three-game sweep — their first road sweep of the year. The Rays will try to flush out the odd procedural inconsistencies that plagued the previous series, while the Orioles attempt to get back on the winning side of the ledger.
The Orioles had been on a roll since the All-Star break until the above mentioned sweep, winning 21 of their first 32 while expanding their AL East lead from four games to nine. Baltimore leads the majors in home runs, though the key has been pitching. While the starting rotation ranks near the middle of the American League, the bullpen is ranked among the best. That is, if the Rays maintain any hope of walking away with a series win, the offense is going to have to hit the starters hard while pitching staff is going to have to hold the wolves at bay.
Chris Tillman: Tillman (10-5, 3.55 ERA) may be 3-6 with a 4.46 ERA lifetime against the Rays, but he performed well against Tampa Bay in his previous two starts; going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings of work. Key matchups: Matt Joyce (7-27, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (1-4), Evan Longoria (13-33, 2 2B, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB).
Wei-Yin Chen: The Rays have had a fair amount of success against Wei-Yin Chen (13-4, 3.76) this season. In his first start against the Rays, Chen held Longoria and company to one run on five hits. Yet the Rays beat Chen and the Orioles twice since, both times by a 5-4 margin. In the case of his most recent start against Tampa Bay, Chen gave up five runs on seven hits, including three homers. One thing is certain, with a 12% HR/FB the fly ball pitcher does give up his fair share of homers. Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (3-8, HR, 2 RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-4), Matt Joyce (1-4, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-5, HR, 2 RBI), James Loney (3-8, 2 2B), Jose Molina (2-5, 2B, RBI, BB), Ben Zobrist (11-30, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB).
Kevin Gausman: The Rays beat up on Gausman (7-5, 3.81 ERA) back in June, tagging the RHP for five runs in five innings of work. Gausman’s performed well since, giving up three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine outings. He’s thrown for five innings or fewer in seven of his 14 starts, while opposing teams (Rays included) have walked away with wins in five of those games. Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (4-5, RBI), Brandon Guyer (2-2, 2 2B, RBI), Matt Joyce (2-7, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-6), Evan Longoria (2-8, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Jose Molina (1-2, RBI), Ben Zobrist (5-9, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB).
Bud Norris: Norris (11-8, 3.91 ERA) was very good against Tampa Bay last season, posting a 1-1 record in 9-1/3 innings of work. His most impressive start came as an Astro, putting together a 7 IP/6 H/1 R outing against Roberto Hernadez. Norris’ change-up has vastly improved over previous seasons. It’s coaxed a modest number of whiffs (10.3%), and a hefty number of grounders (65.7%). His change-up pairs well with a plus slider. Key matchups: Desmond Jennings (2-8, 2B, BB), Matt Joyce (3-7, 2 BB), James Loney (9-18, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Jose Molina (1-3).
Noteworthiness
- Evan Longoria has knocked in 12 runs in his last 10 contests, including a pair in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Toronto. He is is 13-for-30 with five homers against Monday’s starter Chris Tillman.
- With the series win Sunday, the Rays have gone 9-1 in their last 10 road series.
- Tampa Bay leads the AL with 17 shutouts and need one more to snap a tie for the club record with the 2013 team.
- While Adam Jones and JJ Hardy have been fairly consistent, Nelson Cruz has three hits — all homers — in his last 28 at-bats, Chris Davis’ average has dipped below the Mendoza line at .189, and leadoff hitter Nick Markakis is 0-for-20 the last five games.
- Steve Pearce is 11-for-30 with three homers and seven RBI against the Rays this season.