Just a day after the Tampa Bay slogged away from Cincinnati with a disappointing 12-4 loss in the series finale, the Rays find themselves in Baltimore for a three-game series against the Orioles.
So far, this has been an odd road trip…to say the least. Tampa Bay has gone 7-for-30 wRISP, tagging the opposing pitchers for only 13 runs. Though Tampa Bay took two of three from the Reds, they still ended the series with a -6 run differential. Yet the Rays have a 3-3 record — six games into their nine-game road trip — and are about to face a scuffling Orioles squad who, if I may, don’t look so hot themselves. There is a very realistic possibility that the Rays could come home with a winning record on this wonky trip — which they’ll need going into the upcoming Yankees series, when they throw their B-starters on the mound.
It still won’t be easy. With Matt Moore and Alex Cobb on the DL, Tampa Bay could use a few more strong outings from Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, and David Price. Archer will try to lead the Rays to a fifth consecutive win over the Orioles in the series opener, Monday night. Odorizzi is looking to bounce back from a rough 5 IP/7 ER outing against the Royals. And Price is looking to put together another quality start, following his dazzling outing against the Reds where he gave up just one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out 10 in 8-1/3 innings of work.
The Orioles dropped two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays, but have still won three of their last five games. The Orioles have struggled to score runs for the most part, while the pitching staff has allowed four or less runs in five of their last seven games.
Wei-Yin Chen: Chen has been shaky this season, allowing eight combined runs in his first two starts, while failing to pitch past the sixth inning in each of those outings. The Rays have been able to hit Chen over the last three years, tagging the Orioles’ lefty for 20 runs (17 earned) in 50-1/3 innings of work. Still, Tampa Bay will have a tall order to fill with Chen on the mound — a combined .239 BA/.304 OBO/.359 SLG/.663 OPS with speaks to that. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (1-4, 2 BB), Jose Molina (2-5, 2B, RBI, BB), Wil Myers (1-4, BB), Ben Zobrist (10-33, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB).
Miguel Gonzalez: Over the course of the last three seasons, the Rays have fared well against Gonzalez, handing the Orioles RHP a 2-3 record (in eight appearances) with a 3.94 ERA. It was around this time last year when the Rays pounded Gonzalez, tagging him for five runs (four earned) on eight hits, including three home runs. Gonzalez has already given up four homers in just 9-1/3 innings this season, and the Rays will look to pounce on his current streak of woeful pitching. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (4-14, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Evan Longoria (5-16, HR, RBI, 2 BB), Jose Molina (4-12, HR, 2 RBI, BB).
Chris Tillman: Make no mistake about it, Orioles ace Chris Tillman is very good. However, the Rays have hit Tillman well, handing him a 2-4 record in seven starts (over the last three seasons) with a 4.05 ERA. The Rays will undoubtedly be patient at the plate; after all, Tillman works a lot of high-count at-bats — 3-1 counts, 3-2 counts, etc. Because of it, Tillman has a hard time going deeply into games. Key match-ups: David DeJesus (2-6, RBI), Matt Joyce (6-21, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (10-24, 2 2B, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB).
Noteworthiness
- Since 2008, the Rays have not lost a season series to the Orioles, going 66-43 — including a 13-6 record in 2013. The Orioles, on the other hand, have the advantage at home, with a 72-65 record overall.
- The Orioles bullpen, with Tommy Hunter as the closer, has been effective thus far, with Darren O’Day among those who give the Rays trouble.
- Baltimore newcomer Nelson Cruz has handled David Price exceptionally well over his career slahing .360 BA/.353 OBP/.407 SLG/.760 OPS against the left-handed ace. That’s the fifth best OPS among players with at least 20 at bats against Price. Matt Wieters has also hit Price hard. On the other hand, Adam Jones has struggled against Price hitting just .220 BA/.238 SLG in 42 plate appearances. He’s not the only Oriole that Price has owned. Chris Davis has yet to get an extra base hit against Price.
- The Rays optioned Jeff Beliveau back to Durham, with the corresponding move expected Monday. Maddon and company have recalled Brad Boxberger, who will add to an overworked bullpen. Boxberger is Alex Torres-like, and has big-league experience. You can read more about Boxberger here.
- Alex Cobb is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a left oblique strain. Cobb said it is “really disappointing” to hear the MRI results, and hard to believe he will be out 4-6 weeks because he doesn’t feel hurt. Which begs the question: Would the Rays seek help elsewhere? Maddon didn’t seem keen on Ramos’ start Sunday, and there are three other pitchers on the 40-man roster in Durham: Nate Karns, Enny Romero, and Mike Montgomery. Furthermore, rumors are flying over the potential interest in former Giant Barry Zito, and former Ray Jeff Niemann.
- On that note, Ken Rosenthal wrote in his newest column, “Though the Rays’ rotation has been ravaged by injuries to Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore and Alex Cobb, the team is planning on using internal options rather than pursuing outside help.” This could be an acknowledgement that the Rays expect this rash of injuries to be a short-term problem, especially as it relates to Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb. The though being, if the Rays expected Hellickson and Cobb to be out longer than they previously acknowledged, then they would potentially seek an arm (like the above mentioned Zito and/or Niemann) in the free-agent market.