X-Rays Spex – Page 246 – A Below fWAR Rays Fan Site

LBWMF: Tampa Bay Rays fall to Chris Sale and Boston, 2-0

Austin Pruitt posted six innings of one-run ball against the Red Sox on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Chris Sale was at his best on Tuesday, dominating Tampa Bay over eight scoreless innings, while notching 12 strikeouts or more against the Rays for the sixth time in his career. Despite another strong start from Austin Pruitt, the Red Sox won the first of two against the Rays, 2–0.

It’s time for a segment I like to call The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle.

The Good

— Austin Pruitt nearly matched Chris Sale, working around a leadoff double to start the game, and facing just one over the minimum over the first three frames. Boston was able to touch the right-hander for a one-run rally (as described by Neil Solondz below), but he limited the damage, and worked around any trouble all night:

Dustin Pedroia walked on a 3–2 pitch to start the rally, and Andrew Benintendi followed with a single to center on an 0–2 pitch. Mookie Betts grounded into 6–4 fielder’s choice, putting runners at the corners. Rookie Rafael Devers grounded back to the mound, and Pruitt got the out at second, but his throw prevented Adeiny Hechavarria from making a relay throw, as Pedroia scored for a 1–0 advantage. Xander Bogaerts singled to right on a 2–2 pitch, but Pruitt limited damage by striking out Mitch Moreland.

Pruitt scattered seven hits (only one to the pull side) and one walk, while fanning five and holding the Red Sox to 0-for-8 wRISP.

— Sergio Romo did a heck of a job over 1-1/3 innings of work, giving up one hit and a deep fly ball out, while striking out one.

The Bad

— In the third inning, Pruitt induced a double play ball that would have erased the run-scoring rally. Unfortunately, Adeiny Hechavarria unable to turn the double play.

Hechavarria took a difficult bounce awkwardly, letting it get into his body, and was only able to get the force out at second. The botched double play immediately came back to haunt the Rays.

One batter later, Pruitt got Rafael Devers to weakly hit a comebacker to the mound. Pruitt knocked down the ball, then tried to throw to second — albeit somewhat up hill, thus effecting his footwork — to start an inning ending double play. His throw, however, was pulled to the shortstop side of the bag, forcing Hechavarria to dive for the catch and only the force out at second. A run scored of Devers’ fielder’s choice.

— With Logan Morrison on first in the seventh inning, Steven Souza Jr. decided to lay down a sacrifice bunt. The attempt failed when Mitch Moreland quickly fielded the hard hit bunt and fired off a throw to nab the lead runner. Souza, I know you haven’t hit a homer against a lefty this year, however, swing away!

The Argyle

— Mired in a five hits over his last 42 plate appearances slump, who of all people broke up Chris Sale’s no-hit bid? Wilson Ramos. Go Figure.

— Romo gave up a deep fly ball out to the left field wall, and it appeared to be gone. It wasn’t though, and Mallex Smith tracked the ball down and made a running catch at the wall. Apparently Jackie Bradley Junior, who was on first, also thought it was a homer, and as he stood at third base when Smith made, there was nothing he could do to get back to first … see, he never tagged up. Smith threw it back in to first to end the inning.

— The success in Pruitt’s ability to limit hard contact also came at his detriment. As I mentioned above all but one of the hits he allowed were either up the middle or to the big part of the field. Something all of the Rays pitchers have to do a better job with is keep opposing batters honest, by pitching them up and in from time to time.

The right-hander has good stuff, as exemplified by his previous two outings. He, however, does not have an overpowering fastball. Simply put, if he cannot keep batters honest, he will get hammered when he leaves that mistake pitch in the heart of the zone.

The New What Next

The Rays will wrap up this short two-game series on Wednesday with Jake Odorizzi (6-4, 4.47 ERA, 5.74 FIP) on the mound. He’ll pitch opposite of Rick Porcello (5-14, 4.70 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Odorizzi was activated from the disabled list (retroactive to July 25) after suffering a lower back strain. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks, while striking out six over three innings in a rehab start for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on Friday. The right-hander told Kevin Cash, “I’m ready to go … I will be back in there next time my spot comes up, so no more rehab starts.” He also told Cash that he hadn’t this good in quite a while — validating the skipper’s decision to start him against Boston on Wednesday.

Porcello had his strongest outing of 2017 at the Trop on July 8, allowing one run on six hits while striking out seven in a season-high eight innings. He, however, took a loss. Porcello most recently allowed five runs on seven hits over 5-1/3 innings against the ChiSox. With a 4.70 ERA on the season, and a 2-9 record since May 28, the Rays should be able to be competitive against the right-hander. It bears mentioning, Porcello has dropped two out of his three starts against Tampa Bay this year. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-7), Corey Dickerson (8-29, 4 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (14-53, 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (8-29, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB), Mallex Smith (2-6, 3B), Steven Souza Jr. (8-27, HR, RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/9/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Souza Jr. RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavvaria SS
Odorizzi RHP

Rays 8/8/17 starting lineup and pregame notes; Cobb placed on 10-day DL

Back at it Tuesday night. The Tampa Bay Rays will start a brief two-game series against the Boston Red Sox tonight, at Tropicana Field.

The Rays start the day tied with Kansas City for the final Wildcard slot, 2-1/2 games behind New York for the top Wildcard slot, and 5-1/2 behind Boston in the division. As Neil Solondz noted (Rays Radio Blog), of the remaining 49 games, 17 are against the Royals, Red Sox and Yankees, while another 10 are against the Mariners and Orioles, teams right behind the Rays in the race.

You can read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

Rays 8/8/17 Starting Lineup

Bourjos CF
Plouffe 3B
Longoria DH
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Ramos C
Hechavarria SS
Robertson 2B
Smith LF
Pruitt RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made a roster move this afternoon, placing RHP Alex Cobb on the 10-day DL with turf toe (retroactive to August 6). LHP Blake Snell has been recalled and will take his place in the rotation for the time being.

If another pitcher goes down. club will pull Brian Anderson from the booth rather than bring Honeywell up https://t.co/GS0PdkBk02

— Jason Collette (@jasoncollette) August 8, 2017

Cobb said the toe was issue in his last start on Saturday, and could’ve pitched through it. The team, however, decided best to address now. He is certain he will miss just 10 days total.

Snell is replacing Cobb, and Alex has given us a lot of chances to win, said Rays manager Kevin Cash. Now Blake has to do the same.

Cash also said Snell was the obvious choice to replace Cobb (yes, more so than Brent Honeywell), and sees it as another chance for the southpaw to help the team.

— Major League Baseball released the dates for the 2017 postseason Tuesday afternoon, including the dates for the World Series beginning on Tuesday, October 24.

From Major League Baseball’s press release:

The American League Wild Card Game will be on ESPN on Tuesday, Oct. 3, followed a day later by the National League Wild Card Game, televised exclusively by TBS.

Both AL Division Series will be scheduled to begin on Thursday, Oct. 5. The first full slate of Division Series games, featuring two NLDS openers and a pair of ALDS Game 2 contests, will be held on Friday, Oct. 6. Overall, the Division Series are scheduled to run from Thursday, Oct. 5, through the following Thursday, Oct. 12, with potential Game 5s on Wednesday, Oct. 11 (ALDS) and Thursday, Oct. 12 (NLDS).

TBS will cover all NLDS games, while FS1 or MLB Network will cover the ALDS.

The AL Championship Series, beginning on Friday, Oct. 13, will be telecast by FOX or FS1. The NLCS, set to start on Saturday, Oct. 14, will be telecast by TBS. A potential Game 7 of the ALCS is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, while a potential Game 7 of the NLCS is set for Sunday, Oct. 22.

Game 1 of the 2017 World Series is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24, and the best-of-seven series will change sites for Game 3 on Friday, Oct. 27. If a Game 7 proves necessary once again, it is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1. Scheduled days off are Oct. 26 and 30 (if a Game 6 is necessary).

FOX Sports will present live telecast coverage of the World Series for the 20th time.

— Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back) still limited in baseball activities, and it’s unlikely that he will return until the next homestand at the soonest.

The New What Next: Rays Vs. Red Sox — a series preview

On the heels of a grueling three-game set with Milwaukee — culminating in an emotional series-salvaging walk-off home run by Steven Souza Junior — the Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the Boston Red Sox into the Trop for a brief two-game series, starting Tuesday.

The Rays didn’t look like an offensive juggernaut in the series against the Brewers. Even though they managed to salvage the last game of set, they did so by a 2-1 score, and they were blanked over the first two games. Tampa Bay has averaged just 2.00 runs per game in the last five games, yet it is 3-2 in those games as the pitching staff has performed to a 1.80 ERA over that stretch.

To put it bluntly, the Rays need to get their offense going in this series, as Boston has been strong at the plate of late. Boding in their favor though, the good guys are 30-25 here at home, where they’ve averaged just under five runs per game (4.56). The Rays start the series 5-1/2 games out of first place in the AL East, 2-1/2 games behind New York for the top Wildcard slot, and tied with Kansas City for the last Wildcard slot. Suffice it to say, they have a lot to play for in this series.

After a little slump the Red Sox are again hot. They are coming off a four-game sweep of the White Sox at Fenway, having outscored Chicago by an 11-run differential over the series. The Offense has been an issue for this team, but it is starting to catchup up with the pitching staff of late, averaging 6.5 runs per game over their last eight games.

The Rays took 3-of-4 from the Red Sox at Tropicana Field in July.

Over the next couple of days Kevin Cash will lean on Austin Pruitt (6-2, 5.65 ERA, 3.91 FIP), and Jake Odorizzi (6-4, 4.47 ERA, 5.74 FIP). John Farrell will counter with Chris Sale (13-4, 2.70 ERA, 2.07 FIP), and Rick Porcello (5-14, 4.70 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Pitching Matchups

Pruitt made his second start since getting recalled from Triple-A Durham last Wednesday, in Houston. The right-hander responded with a quality start, blanking the ‘Stros on five hits and a walk over 6-1/3 innings. All of the the hits Pruitt surrendered led off an inning, yet the right-hander played off of Houston’s aggressiveness and pitched to the margins. In doing so he induced weak contact and coaxed mishits, held the Astros to 0-for-6 wRISP — Houston went 0-for-9 overall — and kept his pitch count low. In the battle for Texas, Austin reigned supreme over Dallas Keuchel.

Sale showed signs of being human in his last start, allowing seven runs and two homers in five innings against Cleveland. Before that start, Sale had thrown 21-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. A marquee pitcher’s duel against Carlos Carrasco turned into a Fenway Park shootout that saw 10 runners cross the plate over the first two frames, while five more score in the ninth. In his last start against the Rays, Sale allowed four runs (all earned) on seven hits, including a pair of homers. Key Matchups: Adeiny Hechavarria (2-6), Logan Morrison (5-12, HR, RBI), Trevor Plouffe (14-46, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB), Wilson Ramos (2-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Mallex Smith (1-3)

Steven Souza walks it off in Rays 2-1 victory; 40-man roster moves

Tampa Bay snapped its 21 inning scoreless streak Sunday afternoon against Milwaukee, and Steven Souza Jr. hit a ninth inning walk off blast that gave the Rays a 2–1 victory over the Brewers.

At the time of writing, the Rays are currently tied with Kansas City for the final playoff spot, two-games back of New York for the lead Wildcard spot, and 5-1/2 games behind the Red Sox. The Royals are playing a double header today, so Tampa Bay could be 1/2 of a game ahead, or 1/2 of a game behind, Kansas City pending the outcome of game two.

Additionally, the Rays made a roster move prior to the game, trading Ryan Garton to, you guessed it, Seattle.

The shot heard ’round the world

Souza lashed a 1–0 pitch into section 145 off St Petersburg native Jacob Barnes to give the first Rays not only a crucial win, but their first walk-off homer since May 22, 2014 (Sean Rodriguez vs Oakland) — snapping the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.

STEVEN SOUZA JR. HITS THE TEAM’S FIRST WALK OFF HOME RUN SINCE 2014!!! IT’S EVEN BETTER WITH TITANIC MUSIC!!! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/OivMYltNJJ

— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) August 6, 2017

(Photo Credit: Dave Haller/Tampa Bay Rays)

Tampa Bay welcomes the Boston Red Sox into the Trop for a two game series starting Tuesday. The Rays need to win head-to-head contests against the competitors ahead of them in the standings, and this will be a great opportunity for the good guys to make up a couple of games in the AL East, as well as in the Playoff race.

Rays clear a couple of spots on the 40-man roster

The Rays created some space on the 40-man roster before the game, trading RHP Ryan Garton to Seattle along with Durham catcher Mike Marjama. With the trade, the Rays have opened a pair of spots on their 40-man roster. In exchange, Tampa Bay received LHP Anthony Misiewicz, UTL Luis Rengifo, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Garton had been good with Triple-A Durham this season, going 2–0 with a 1.64 ERA. He, however, struggled the past two seasons at the big league level, going 1–3 with a 5.26 ERA.

A mid-season All-Star in the International League, the 28-year-old Marjama hit .272 in 72 games with nine homers this season. The catcher was Rule-5 eligible this past offseason — as are prospects Justin O’Conner and Nick Ciuffo — so the team opted to add Marjama to the 40-man roster as protection in the Rule-5 draft. These moves will create more roster flexibility, while also lessening the off-season logjam behind the plate.

Hmm … might the Rays be looking to acquire a player or two before the August 31 waiver trade deadline? Perhaps. After all, they were looking for a right-handed bat leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline. However, it’s more likely that they are clearing space ahead of the activation of Kevin Kiermaier from the 60-day DL.

Another fascinating idea, the team could be creating roster space for Brent Honewell, who might be considered as a September call-up. That being said, Honeywell threw 130 innings between Single-A, Double-A, and the Arizona Fall League last season. Tampa Bay, historically, uses a 20% yearly workload, so he has about 40 innings left in his 2017 campaign at Triple-A Durham. If he was to be promoted this season, he would likely work out of the bullpen to mitigate the number of innings thrown.

Rays look to salvage series after 3-0 loss to the Brewers

After back-to-back shutout losses to Milwaukee, the Tampa Bay Rays are in salvage mode Sunday afternoon. The Rays have been shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since April 14-15 of last season. During this stretch, Tampa Bay is 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

It doesn’t help that run producers, like Steven Souza Jr., spat on perfectly placed pitches and don’t pull the trigger.

No Souz, that’s strike three not ball four.

Then again, performing to an ice-cold .154 BABIP on the night, it is safe to say the Brewers summoned the luck dragons before the game. Milwaukee has not pitched back-to-back shutouts on the road since April 2010 at Pittsburgh. What an esteemed honor for Tampa Bay.

With the losses, the Rays fell a game behind Kansas City for the final playoff spot, 2-1/2 back of New York for the lead Wildcard spot, and 5-1/2 back of the Red Sox, who have won five straight. To put it bluntly, they need a win this afternoon.

The New What Next

Chris Archer (8-6, 3.89 ERA, 3.19 FIP) will get the start for the Rays, opposite of Jimmy Nelson (9-5, 3.37 ERA, 3.11 FIP).

Archer saw his streak of six consecutive quality come to an end on Tuesday after he allowed four runs — two of which on a pair of solo homers. He did go six-plus innings, so he has pitched at least six innings in 14 consecutive starts. Archer cruised through the first four innings, giving up just one single. He, however, found himself in deep counts against a team that has struck out the fewest times in all of baseball. That, paired with some loud contact, speaks to the fact that Archer really wasn’t that dominant.

Nelson leads Milwaukee with 13 quality starts on the season, including a 3-2 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday. He has never faced the Rays, although he is 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA in 10 road starts this season. Nelson relies primarily upon a 94 mph worm-burner of a sinker and a whiffy 95 mph four-seam fastball. He also tends to mix in a hard 85 mph curveball, and a fly-ball inducing 80 mph slider. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (1-2, 3B, 2 RBI), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-3), Wilson Ramos (2-3, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (1-2, 3B, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/6/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavarria SS
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— One positive from last night … well, the last nine games, Lucas Duda has reached base in all nine games since joining the team. Per Roger Mooney (Tampa Bay Times) that’s the longest such streak since Akinori Iwamura reached base in his first 12 games in 2007.

— Mooney also wrote about Archer’s game prep going into the finale with the Brewers:

To prepare for today’s start against a team he has never faced, RHP Chris Archer began watching video of the Brewers early in the season. But not just any video: video of batters facing pitchers similar to Archer — hard throwers with above-average sliders, like Nationals RHP Max Scherzer.

Armed with that knowledge, Archer said the second step is to follow the game plan by pitching coach Jim Hickey, which rookie RHP Jacob Faria did in six innings of one-run ball Friday.

“Because we all know that’s his strong suit, is attacking hitters,” Archer said of Faria. “Watching the way Jake attacked (Friday) night, he followed the game plan pretty much to a T and had pretty good results, so looking to duplicate that.”