The New What Next: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview; Brad Miller placed on DL

Former Ray Steve Pearce is forced out at second by second baseman Brad Miller, who was placed on the 10-day DL Thursday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays return home from a 4-2 road trip, to begin a three-game series against the AL East Division leading New York Yankees. The Yankees are up six games up on the Rays, however, things can easily change this weekend.

Not only did the Rays post their first winning road trip of the season, but they are coming off a pair of winning series’ at the hands of the Red Sox and Cleveland — of which they averaged 6-1/2 runs per game. Meanwhile the Yankees, we able to take the series from the suddenly hot Royals, although they dropped the finale by a 5-1 margin. They also have lost five of their last eight overall.

(Stats: ESPN)

This series features three of the hottest hitters in baseball, those being Aaron Judge, Starlin Castro, and Corey Dickerson.

For the Rays, though Logan Morrison leads the team with 11 home runs, Dickerson — who has nine homers to go along with 53 hits (23 XBH) — is the hottest hitter overall.

For New York, Judge is leading the majors with 14 home runs, and is fifth in slugging percentage (.720) and runs scored (32). Castro is first in the majors in base hits (38) and hits overall (54), sixth in batting average (.351), and seventh in runs scored (29).

The AL East rivals have played each other six times this season, with New York leading the series 4-2. However, the Rays are 2-1 against the Yankees at the Trop, where the series will be played.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Kevin Cash will throw Erasmo Ramirez (2-0, 2.92 ERA, 3.65 FIP), Matt Andriese (3-1, 3.18 ERA, 4.45 FIP), and Chris Archer (3-2, 3.70 ERA, 3.16 FIP) over the next three days. Joe Girardi will counter with Luis Severino (2-2, 3.86 ERA, 3.75 FIP), Masahiro Tanaka (5-2, 5.80 ERA, 5.37 FIP), and CC Sabathia (3-2, 4.93 ERA, 4.84 FIP).

Pitching Matchups

Ramirez moved into the starting rotation after Blake Snell was optioned to Triple-A Durham. That isn’t to question Ramirez’s ability to start games, as he has made spot starts on and off the last two seasons. In his last start, against the Detroit Tigers, Erasmo fired five innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits while striking out five batters. The right-hander has worked to a 2-0 record with a 2.92 ERA/3.65 FIP.

Severino allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over 2-1/3 innings Sunday. He struck out two and hit a batter in the no-decision. Severino posted seven strong innings against the Rays back on April 13, allowing just two runs on five hits. In the month of May, the hard throwing right-hander has allowed nine runs over his last 15 innings of work. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (1-2, HR, RBI), Corey Dickerson (3-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-9, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Jesus Sucre (1-2, RBI)

Andriese battled against the Red Sox in his last start, allowing just two runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out five batters over five innings. The right-hander has been solid, although the outcome of this game likely depends upon which Tanaka shows up to pitch for New York on Saturday.

Tanaka was tagged for eight runs on seven hits and one walk over just 1-2/3 innings on Sunday by the Astros. He has shown some promise this season, winning each of his previous five starts, and allowing a total of 11 earned runs in that span. Yet at other times it looks like he’s throwing batting practice. Tanaka allowed seven runs on eight hits in just 2-2/3 innings of work against Tampa Bay on Opening Day. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, 2B), Corey Dickerson (6-16, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (6-12, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB) 

Archer relinquished seven runs (six earned) on five hits and six walks over five innings on Monday. He fanned six batters. The right-hander was undone in the first when he allowed three runs on three walks and two hits — including a three-run blast by Lonnie Chisenhall. And though he settled down, Archer still struggled with his control en route to a new season high in walks. He looks to bounce back against Grimmace on Sunday.

Sabathia fired 6-2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday night, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four. Sabathia has beaten the Rays once this season, in a five-inning start where he allowed just three hits and a big ol’ goose egg. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (3-8, 2B, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (4-8, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (30-73, 9 2B, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 BB), Logan Morrison (2-3), Derek Norris (3-11, 2B, HR5 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (6-14, HR, RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— After missing the last two games with abdominal soreness, Brad Miller was officially placed on the 10-day DL Thursday afternoon with a lower abdominal strain, retroactive to May 16. He is available to return to the fold as early as May 26.

In his place, the Rays purchased the contact of Michael Martinez from the Cleveland Indians for money and a player to be named later. The team moved LHP Xavier Cedeño to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster for Martinez.

Martinez has played in a total of 282 games between 2011 to 2017, posting a total of -2.7 WAR over that time. In his most recent claim to fame, Martinez the player who made final out of 2016 World Series for Cleveland, in the loss to the Cubs.

Daniel Robertson will handle the starting second base duties in Miller’s absence, with Martinez serving as infield bench depth.

— The Rays plan to promote Jose De Leon to Triple-A Durham next week. He has been working his way from a spring flexor issue with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

LBWMF: Rays bounce back with a 6-4 win, powered by five homers

On Tuesday, Evan Longoria became the Rays franchise leader in at bats with 4,993. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Powered by a season high five long-balls, and a solid bullpen performance from Jose Alvarado and Alex Colome, the Tampa Bay Rays bounced back from a one-run loss to beat Cleveland Tuesday night, 6-4.

As they’ve been wont to do this season, Tampa Bay took an early lead in the second inning when Colby Rasmus blasted a homer to right-field off starter Danny Salazar.

Rasmus’ solo home run to right

Colby Rasmus cranks a solo home run to right-center field to give the Rays an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning

It was Rasmus’ fourth home run of the season. Tampa Bay was able to extend that lead when Derek Norris (line drive homer to left) and Corey Dickerson (homer to right) hit back-to-back homers, on back-to-back pitches, off Salazar in the top of the third inning.

It was the fourth time this year that the Rays hit back-to-back home runs.

Yet down by three, Cleveland answered against Jake Odorizzi when Yan Gomes led off the bottom of the inning with a double to left, then came home on another double to left by Jason Kipnis.

However, Dickerson answered in kind in the top of the fifth, blasting a massive 459 foot solo-shot to center, making it a three-run game.

 

Tuesday night marked the fifth career multi-homer game for Dickerson, who also ranks first in batting average, first in hits, first in extra base hits, first in total bases, and first in runs among all designated hitters.

Tampa Bay was able to tack on two more runs in a sixth inning rally, that began with a Steven Souza Jr. leadoff double, chasing Salazar at the beginning of the frame. Three pitches later — and off reliever Shawn Armstrong — Tim Beckham hit a two-run homer to left-center for a five-run advantage.

The extra runs certainly proved crucial in the bottom of the inning.

Cleveland rallied for three runs against Odorizzi, starting when Francisco Lindor blooped a single to center. Michael Brantley followed by doing the same, but to right-center, putting runners at the corners with no outs. Carlos Santana plated the first run of the inning when he lashed a hard hit fielder’s choice right at Logan Morrison, who made an impress diving stop for the first out. Edwin Encarnacion followed by lining a 406 foot homer to center, cutting the deficit to two runs.

But Odorizzi was able to finish off Cleveland without allowing any more damage in the sixth. Unfortunately for the right-hander, however, that snapped his string of five consecutive starts where he allowed two runs or fewer. All told, Odorizzi gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five over six innings.

Rays skipper Kevin Cash turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning, first calling upon the flame throwing rookie Jose Alvarado. The southpaw worked a perfect frame on 12 pitches, picking up a strikeout in the process, and then put down the next three batters he faced in the eighth on nine pitches (21 pitches total over the two innings of work).

Alex Colome entered the contest in the ninth inning to close out the ball game. And while he allowed a weak leadoff single to Encarnacion to start the inning, he retired the next three batters in order for his tenth save, fanning two along the way.

The New What Next

The Rays will attempt to win their second consecutive road series on Wednesday. Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.65 ERA, 4.23 FIP) will get the start, opposite of Josh Tomlin (2-4, 5.87 ERA, 3.34 FIP).

Cobb looked strong again in his last start (vs. Boston), working his fastball/curveball combo, while allowing three earned runs over 6-1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out five. The right-hander has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, and improved to 2-1 in the month of May.

Tomlin had a rough start to the season, allowing 13 runs in two starts, but he has gone 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in his last last five outings. This season, Tomlin has relied primarily on an 86 mph cutter, and an 87 mph sinker which he uses to coax grounders. He’s also mixed in a whiffy 75 mph curveball, an 88 mph four-seam fastball, and an 83 mph fly ball inducing changeup for good measure. In his career against the Rays, the right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA in six starts. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-8, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (3-12, 2B, HR 2 RBI), Derek Norris (1-3, 2B)

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

Rays 5/17/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Rasmus DH
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Sucre C
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness

— Confused as to why Daniel Robertson got the start Tuesday over Brad Miller? Curious about Matt Duffy’s rehab stint with the Stone Crabs? Read more here.

— With runners on first and second and only one out, Robertson was able to do what the tandem of Miller and Beckham couldn’t on Monday night — turn a crucial (and rather pretty) double play. Lonnie Chisenhall grounded sharply to Robertson, who fielded the ball and made a glove-side shovel toss to Beckham. The shortstop quickly turned fired off an accurate throw to LoMo at first, ending the inning.

Brad Miller scratched from lineup, Matt Duffy update, etc

Brad Miller was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup after suffering a tweaked abdomen in his last at-bat Monday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Brad Miller was scratched from Tuesday night’s lineup after tweaking his abdomen during his last at-bat of Monday night’s contest, Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) reports.

Miller reportedly tested his injury on Tuesday and decided he couldn’t play through it. The team hopes that he can return to the lineup Wednesday, and he is listed as day-to-day. You can view the updated lineup here.

Adding insult to injury, Miller was told he could no longer use his pink bat — a carry over from the Mother’s Day weekend.

In other injury news, Matt Duffy will take a couple of days off from his rehab assignment due to left heel soreness. He plans to resume playing for the Class-A Stone Crabs on Wednesday in Dunedin.

RHP Tommy Hunter (calf strain) — who appeared in 21 games for Cleveland last season, and received his AL championship ring this afternoon — fared well in his second bullpen session Monday, and is slated to throw for a third session on Wednesday, before tossing live batting practice this weekend.

RHP Brad Boxberger (flexor strain) is scheduled to throw off the mound this afternoon at the Trop, while C Wilson Ramos (right knee surgery) will catch him.

LBWMF: Tampa Bay Rays fall to Cleveland, 8-7

Hey Chris, why you no pitch so good Monday night? (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

The Tampa Bay Rays battled back from a four-run deficit on Monday night, yet Cleveland’s bullpen held on to the lead as the Rays fell 8-7. A botched double play in the first inning ended up being the difference, turning a one-run inning into a five-run frame.


Yeah, it was one of those games. Source: FanGraphs

Tampa Bay took a one-run lead in the first inning on a two-out double to right by Logan Morrison. However, Cleveland answered in the bottom of the inning after Chris Archer walked two of the first three batters, bringing Carlos Santana to the plate. Santana drove in a run on a line-drive single to left-center, knotting the game at one a piece.

And while Archer coaxed an RBI grounder out of Edwin Encarnacion for what should have been an inning ending 6-4-3 double play, the tandem of Tim Beckham and Brad Miller conspired to only get one out on the play. After the Rays’ ace walked Jose Ramirez, Lonnie Chisenhall hit a three-run homer to right for a 5–1 lead.

The Rays played from behind from that point on, scoring in each of the next three innings.

In the second inning, Kevin Kiermaier drilled a solo shot to right – his second in three days.

Kiermaier’s solo homer to right

Kevin Kiermaier launches a solo home run to right field, bringing the Rays within three runs in the top of the 2nd inning

Steven Souza Jr. plated the Rays’ third run on a sac-fly in the third, while Brad Miller hit an RBI single in the fourth – chasing Carlos Carrasco, who left due to a pectoral injury after 3-2/3 innings.

Nick Goody entered with a pair of runners on, and promptly allowed a run-scoring double to Evan Longoria, making it a two-run affair. Yet after Terry Francona called for an intentional walk of LoMo, consequently loading the bases, Souza grounded out to short on the first pitch he saw, ending the threat.

Cleveland maintained its lead partly because of the ‘pen, yet also because Archer was unable to put together a shutdown inning until the fourth. Cleveland scored an unearned run in the second on a throwing error by Derek Norris, who tried to gun down Michael Brantley as he swiped second, and another in the third on a Yan Gomes’ two-out double to left-center, scoring Jose Ramirez from first.

Archer ultimately settled in, but not before the damage was done. He walked five of the first 15 batters he faced, and three of them scored. He lasted just five innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) on four hits and a career-high six walks.

The Rays battled Cleveland’s impressive bullpen, which entered the contest with a stellar 1.84 ERA. Kiermaier singled and Norris doubled to left with two outs against Nick Goody in the sixth, but Boone Logan retired Corey Dickerson on a fly out to left to strand a pair of runners in scoring position.

Then in the seventh, Bryan Shaw walked two batters with one out, yet Andrew Miller entered the game in relief and struck out the next two hitters – as he’s wont to do – ending the threat.

Miller did allow his first run of the year in the following inning when Morrison hit a sac fly to deep center, scoring Dickerson – who initially made his way to third on a single by Miller and a fielder’s choice by Longoria – after he reached on an eight pitch walk. That put Tampa Bay within a run, but Francisco Lindor hit a two-out homer to right off Jumbo Diaz.

Of interest, BA noted that Diaz’s pitches have been flat of late. While he has increased his fastball velocity over the last month, he also has lost some of the horizontal movement on his four-seamer and changeup. Something to ponder moving forward.

(Credit: Brooks Baseball)

The extra run of support played crucial, as Peter Bourjos hit a two-out homer off Cody Allen to make it a one-run contest. Yet Allen ultimately notched his 10th save after Norris fouled out in foul territory to end the game.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay and Cleveland play game two of three on Tuesday when Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 2.61 ERA, 4.64 FIP) takes the mound opposite of Danny Salazar (2-3, 5.20 ERA, 3.52 FIP).

Odorizzi has been on fire since his mid-April return from the disabled list, going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts, while allowing just nine hits and three walks over 18 innings. The 27 year-old right-hander has now allowed two runs or fewer in each of his past five appearances — and just six over 25 innings — giving him the ability to lower his ERA to 2.61. He isn’t racking up the strikeouts (a 7.0 K/9 and 21.3 strikeout percentage speak to that), although Odorizzi is in a nice groove.

Salazar lasted just 2-2/3 innings in his last start, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks. He’s allowed 11 earned runs and a opponent’s average of .429 in the first inning — the inning in which the Rays have done their most damage this season. Salazar’s velocity also has lagged during the opening frame, on average hitting 94.9 mph. Compare that to 95.5 mph in the second. Per ESPN, Salazar’s slow start to games might have something to do with his pregame routine:

The 27-year-old has posted a 6.35 ERA since adding that part of his workout sometime around last year’s All-Star break, when he was dealing with arm issues. Before installing this technique, Salazar would register 20-25 throws before calling himself game-ready. With the weighted balls, he would only need a few. Regaining his previous rhythm could help him on his way to pitching more like his FIP (3.55) than his ERA (5.20).

Key matchup: Peter Bourjos (1-4) 

You can read about the pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview, and I’ll post the starting lineup upon availability.

Rays 5/16/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson DH
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Rasmus LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Norris C
Odorizzi RHP

— Best:

The New What Next: Rays vs Cleveland — a series preview

Corey Dickerson notched his 16th multi-hit game on Sunday, in Boston. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

While it has been a rarity in the early goings of the season, the Tampa Bay Rays waltzed out of Boston on a high note Sunday afternoon, having won a road series against the Red Sox. Next stop Cleveland, where the Rays will take on that ball-club with a rather unsavory caricature for a mascot.

(Stats: ESPN)

The Rays’ bats exploded for 11 runs in their win over Boston on Sunday (19 runs over the life of the series). Steven Souza Jr. again found his joie de vivre, blasting a three-run homer, while Jesus Sucre drove in three runs for the Rays, who now have won three of their last five games, and four of its last five road games. The Rays matched their season-high with 16 hits on Sunday. Those bats are in for a test on Monday, when they face Carlos Carrasco — Cleveland’s hurler that’s worked to a 1.38 ERA/1.38 FIP over the last 14 days (1.86 ERA/3.00 FIP overall).

As for Cleveland, even though the team won the getaway game against the Twins on Sunday, it has been stymied offensively since the start of May — averaging just 2.83 runs per game over a 12 game span. Boding in Cleveland’s favor is the team’s ability to end losing skids, due in part to the excellent pitching staff. Cleveland still has not lost four (or more) in a row since July 2015. Over the same stretch of games, the other 29 MLB teams have combined for 253 such losing streaks.

Asthe saying goes, “hit them while their down,” and, well…the Rays have an opportunity to do just that over the next three days. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. Tampa Bay has gone 12-19 against Cleveland, extending back to 2012, and always seems to have a hard time against Terry Francona’s crew.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Kevin Cash will call on Chris Archer (3-1, 3.04 ERA, 2.77 FIP), Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 2.61 ERA, 4.64 FIP), and Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.65 ERA, 4.23 FIP) over the next three days. Francona will counter with Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 1.86 ERA, 3.00 FIP), Danny Salazar (2-3, 5.20 ERA, 3.52 FIP), and Josh Tomlin (2-4, 5.87 ERA, 3.34 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Archer was dominant against the Royals on Wednesday, recording double-digit strikeouts (11) — which many have attributed to his recent tendency to pitch inside more often — and blanking KC over eight innings. Kansas City couldn’t even get a runner into scoring position until the seventh inning, and even then Archer worked out of the jam five pitches later. He’s now racked up 11 strikeouts in back-to-back starts, however, a cursory tale: he’s 0-5 with a 5.14 ERA vs. Cleveland.

Carrasco continued his hot start to the season in his last start, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing only three hits against Toronto. He is now 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 27 strikeouts in four road starts this season. Carrasco was able to lower his ERA to 1.86, although his .211 BABIP suggests he has been the beneficiary of good luck. The right-hander has been tough on the Rays over his career, collecting a 3-3 record and a 2.47 ERA. Key matchups: Brad Miller (1-3), Logan Morrison (1-3), Derek Norris (1-2), Colby Rasmus (3-10, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Odorizzi has been on fire since his mid-April return from the disabled list, going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts, while allowing just nine hits and three walks over 18 innings. The 27 year-old right-hander has now allowed two runs or fewer in each of his past five appearances — and just six over 25 innings — giving him the ability to lower his ERA to 2.61. He isn’t racking up the strikeouts (a 7.0 K/9 and 21.3 strikeout percentage speak to that), although Odorizzi is in a nice groove.

Salazar lasted just 2-2/3 innings in his last start, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks. He’s allowed 11 earned runs and a opponent’s average of .429 in the first inning — the inning in which the Rays have done their most damage this season. Salazar’s velocity also has lagged during the opening frame, on average hitting 94.9 mph. Compare that to 95.5 mph in the second. Per ESPN, Salazar’s slow start to games might have something to do with his pregame routine:

The 27-year-old has posted a 6.35 ERA since adding that part of his workout sometime around last year’s All-Star break, when he was dealing with arm issues. Before installing this technique, Salazar would register 20-25 throws before calling himself game-ready. With the weighted balls, he would only need a few. Regaining his previous rhythm could help him on his way to pitching more like his FIP (3.55) than his ERA (5.20).

Key matchup: Peter Bourjos (1-4) 

Cobb looked strong again in his last start (vs. Boston), working his fastball/curveball combo, while allowing three earned runs over 6-1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out five. The right-hander has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, and improved to 2-1 in the month of May.

Tomlin had a rough start to the season, allowing 13 runs in two starts, but he has gone 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in his last last five outings. This season, Tomlin has relied primarily on an 86 mph cutter, and an 87 mph sinker which he uses to coax grounders. He’s also mixed in a whiffy 75 mph curveball, an 88 mph four-seam fastball, and an 83 mph fly ball inducing changeup for good measure. In his career against the Rays, the right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA in six starts. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-8, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (3-12, 2B, HR 2 RBI), Derek Norris (1-3, 2B)