I don’t feel comfortable in making broad proclamations; after all, we were wrong on a few different occasions when it looked as though the Rays might slip out of their funk. However, I will say it seems like the Rays may be turning a corner. Over the last few days, the offense has shown a push unseen since the beginning of May — FINALLY complimenting the stabilized pitching staff. Also encouraging, though they’ve fallen behind twice in the last four games, the hitters have been able to bail out the pitching staff and come back for the win. A moderate gain if ever there was one, the Rays have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. Compare that to their previous 1-9, 10-game span. I’d call that progress.
Enter the Orioles. The Rays will try to snap a five-game losing streak against Baltimore Orioles, Monday, when the AL East rivals start a three-game series under the big top. The Orioles, who are coming off a four-game split with Toronto, have outscored Tampa Bay 22-8 this season, thanks in large part to Adam Jones who is 7-for-20 against the Rays this season with a pair of homers. The resurgent Rays have posted 19 runs in the last four games, led by Evan Longoria (five hits including a double and a homer, and six RBI) and Ben Zobrist (8-for-16), after being shut out in their previous three outings.
Jake Odorizzi, Erik Bedard, and Alex Cobb will face off with Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, and Kevin Gausman. Odorizzi put together an excellent outing last Tuesday, giving up only one run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts against the Cardinals. Bedard put together a regressed outing last Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out four in four innings of work. Cobb was absolutely dominant in the 6-1 victory over the Astros Friday, allowing one run on three hits, striking out 11 along the way.
Wei-Yin Chen: Chen has given the Rays a bit of a hard time over the last few seasons. Chen, who’s walked only one batter in his last five games, beat Tampa Bay back in April, giving up one run in 6-1/3 innings of work. However, this isn’t to say he’s owned the Rays. Chen owns a 2-3 record in his last eight starts against the Rays, with a 3.04 ERA — including last season, when Tampa Bay tagged him for a pair of no-decisions. We all know what to expect out of Chen by now; a hittable fastball, curve ball, and change up (especially when he leaves them up and over the plate), and a good slider.
Key matchups: Matt Joyce (1-4, 2 BB), James Loney (2-3, 2B), Jose Molina (2-5, 2B, RBI, BB), Ben Zobrist (10-25, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 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. Despite that, Gonzalez blanked the Rays over five innings in April, relinquishing only three hits along the way. On the plus side, Tampa Bay was able to work him over for 98 pitches, with the hope being they can do the same Tuesday. It wouldn’t be unheard of — Gonzalez is averaging just over five innings per start. Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (4-16, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Desmond Jennings (5-19, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB), Evan Longoria (5-18, HR, RBI, 2 BB), Jose Molina (4-14, HR, 2 RBI, BB).
Kevin Gausman: Tampa Bay last faced Gausman last season, when they tagged the 23 year-old RHP for eight runs on 10 hits and three walks, over 5-1/3 innings. The mid-90s fastball/mid-80s changeup/mid-80s slider throwing Gausman has struggled on the inner half of the plate, and he’s been charged with seven runs in 17 innings of work (this season) because of it. Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (3-3, RBI), James Loney (1-3, RBI), Evan Longoria (1-3, RBI, BB), Ben Zobrist (4-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI).
Noteworthiness
- Jake McGee earned his first save of the season Sunday and has allowed a run in only one of his last 21 outings.
- OF Nelson Cruz was 6-15 with his major league-leading 56th RBI in the Toronto series, but has not homered in 12 games.
- 3B Manny Machado is appealing his five-game suspension for his participation in a bat throwing incident a few weeks back. It is uncertain when it will be resolved.