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The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays — yet ANOTHER series preview

The Tampa Bay Rays rookie dress-up theme this season: Team USA wrestling. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided a four-game sweep in the Bronx over the weekend with a 4-2 victory on Sunday against the Yankees. Next stop Toronto, where they are set to start a three-game series against the Blue Jays.

Before Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight, the team took two of three from the Blue Jays — nine of 16 overall (including a series win at home September 2nd – 4th). The Rays need just one victory to win the season series for the eighth time in nine years.

The Blue Jays need to turn things around, and quickly, if they are going to avoid missing the playoffs. Toronto has lost seven of nine, and suffice it to say this will be a critical three-game set before the ball club to the great white north heads out west for a seven game road trip.

Kevin Cash will lean on Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.86), Drew Smyly (6-11, 5.05 ERA), and Alex Cobb (0-0, 4.09 ERA) the next three days. John Gibbons will counter with Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.27 ERA), RA Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA), and Marcus Stroman (9-7, 4.55 ERA). Note: pitching matchups are subject to change; keep checking back for any updates.

Rays Series Starters

Odorizzi allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over four innings on Tuesday. Odorizzi was okay until the fourth inning when he walked two, hit a batter, and gave up a pair of singles before allowing a grand slam to Manny Machado. Still, Odorizzi has been Tampa Bay’s most consistent pitcher of late, going nine straight starts while giving up three earned runs or fewer entering Tuesday’s debacle.

Smyly posted just 3-2/3 innings in a start against the Orioles on Wednesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. He fanned just two. The lefty has disappointed expectations this season, sporting a 5.05 ERA over 28 starts, although he’s done much better of late. And while his 1.28 WHIP suggests some back luck, the 30 home runs allowed (good enough for fifth most in the big leagues) certainly haven’t done Smyly any favors.

Cobb allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits over six innings on Thursday, striking out one without a walk. The righty regained his form by coaxing 13 ground balls to three fly balls. Unfortunately two of those fly balls left the yard. Be that as it may, Cobb has pitched well in two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, issuing just one walk over 11 innings.

Blue Jays Series Starters

Liriano, after being demoted to the bullpen following his August 26th turn on the mound, will start Monday. He will take the spot of RA Dickey in the Blue Jays’ rotation. The Rays roughed up Liriano on September 2nd, tagging him for three runs (two earned) on three hits. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-2, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (2-4, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 3B, RBI), Evan Longoria (5-16, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Alexi Ramirez (14-33, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Bobby Wilson (1-2, BB)

Dickey was slated to start Monday, but Gibbons decided to replace him in the rotation with Liriano for the time being. Dickey owns an unimpressive 6.23 ERA since the All-Star Break, including a 4.1 IP/4 R/6 H/3 BB start against Tampa Bay on August 8th. Key matchups: Curt Casali (1-4), Logan Forsythe (8-26, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (14-50, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB), Mikie Mahtook (1-1, 2B, RBI, BB), Brad Miller (4-12, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Alexi Ramirez (5-15, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-12, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

Stroman allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings on Wednesday, striking out eight and walking one. Toronto scored under three runs for the fourth time in Stroman’s last seven starts, leaving the righty with little to show for his efforts. He looked good (coaxing 15 whiffs) however, a two-run third inning — including a solo home — was enough to propel the Yankees to a victory. The Rays beat up on Stroman over six innings of work on September 2nd, tagging the righty for four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks, including a homer. Curt Casali (2-6, RBI), Corey Dickerson (3-12, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (3-10, BB), Nick Franklin (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (8-19, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Logan Morrison was diagnosed with a left wrist strain after fouling off a pitch in Sunday’s game against the Yankees. The team is expected to re-evaluate Morrison and provide an update on his outlook, however, Morrison doesn’t anticipate a return to the lineup this season, saying,

(I) Felt it pop on that one swing. More than likely, I’m probably done for the year.

Morrison returned from a strained right forearm on August 15.

— The Rays have recalled LHP Dana Eveland from Triple-A Durham, while designating RHP Tyler Sturdevant for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster. Though he didn’t fare well with the big league club this season, Eveland posted a 0.30 ERA with the Bulls.

— So you’re saying there’s still a chance… Any combination of a Tampa Bay loss or a Boston win the rest of the season will officially eliminate Rays from AL East contention.

— Troy Tulowitzki is 10-23 in his last six games after knocking in four runs on Sunday.

Rays 9/11/16 pre-game notes, Chase Whitley’s first appearance as a Ray, Enny Romero’s errant pitch, etc

That moment when you attempt to throw a ball, but it gets crushed by Gary Sanchez because it was too close to the zone. (Photo Credit: Fox Sports Florida)

The Tampa Bay Rays are in salvage mode this afternoon after dropping three straight games in New York. The Yankees have won seven consecutive games, while the Rays have lost the first three of an 11-game trip, and six of their past seven. Tampa Bay now is winless in seven road series.

The New What Next

Matt Andriese (6-7, 4.58 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, opposite of Luis Cessa (4-0, 4.07 ERA)

Andriese was pounded by Baltimore on Monday, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out seven in the loss. The righty hasn’t fared well lately, as he’s allowed 14 runs over his last two starts. Andriese had an impressive 2.77 ERA in the first half of the season, but watched as his ERA ballooned to an ugly 4.58.

Cessa looks to remain unbeaten in his fifth Major League start after going 2-0 with a 3.09 ERA through the first four. He, however, has been susceptible to the long ball, surrendering 10 homers in 42 big league innings. Cessa has allowed six earned runs on eight hits and two walks over seven combined innings of work against Tampa Bay this season.

Rays 9/11/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller SS
Morrison 1B
Franklin LF
Dickerson DH
Souza Jr. RF
Maile C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays again went yard yesterday afternoon, combining for seven homers in the three games of this series (all solo shots). They have 191 homers on the season, nine shy of a new single season franchise record.

— RHP Chase Whitley is expected to take the mound this afternoon for the first time since suffering an injury that necessitated Tommy John surgery on May 14, 2015. Of course his presumed outing is filled with irony, as Whitley last pitched in an MLB game for the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field against his current team.

In an interview with Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the right-hander noted his appreciation for the Rays training staff, who helped him get back to this point:

It’s just an incredible blessing to be able to be back. Nothing is ever guaranteed, especially throughout this process. It’s tested my faith, and I know I’ve grown in the last year. It’s such an incredible honor to be back. It’s such a long road. At any point you go in for surgery, it’s never a minor surgery when it’s on you. Even though I was around a lot of supportive people, and everyone told me with the work ethic and whatever you’d be back, but you can never count on it. You can never take for granted your health.

From every aspect of the whole process, it’s been an unbelievable blessing just to be around (Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) and those guys, to the way I’ve been treated and to get to know (fellow rehabbing starter) Alex (Cobb) on a personal level and how hard he works and how much fun he is to be around.

— More often than not this season, LHP Enny Romero has gotten himself in trouble because of his ability to command the strike zone. However, the opposite was true yesterday afternoon…Romero had a hard time throwing balls.

Romero threw a pitch too close to the zone, turning what was supposed to be an intentional walk of Gary Sanchez into a 400 foot, run-scoring sacrifice fly.

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Rays manager Kevin Cash was not pleased with the errant pitch, saying,

I’m not really going to talk about it other than to say it’s embarrassing. That’s embarrassing.

For his part, Romero was aware of the game-plan with a pair of runners in scoring position and no outs. However, his execution of said game-plan failed because the ball slipped from his sweaty hand.

I go to throw my pitch and the ball falls out of my hand, the southpaw said. That’s why I throw it like (that). I was angry with me because I don’t want to throw that pitch in the zone. …The ball was a little bit off my hand and then I throw. I can’t stop. If I stop it’s balk anyway.

Per Topkin, Yankees manager Joe Girardi claimed they were aware of the possibility for a misfire given Romero’s troubles throwing to first base.

And so it goes…

Rays 9/10/16 pregame notes; on Chad Mattola

Chris Archer gets the start this afternoon, opposite of Masahiro Tanaka. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After falling 7-5 to the New York Yankees, in a game that was interrupted three times by inclement weather, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back in the third game of a four-game set this afternoon. New York has won the first two games of the series, and are just one-game out of the final wildcard spot after winning six straight games.

For their part, the Rays have hit six homers over the first two games of the series, and now have 190 on the season — they are tied for second most in club history (team record is 199 in 2009). Arguably the biggest issue in last night was walks, as Blake Snell and company allowed 11 free passes — the most since May 10, 2011 (11 in Cleveland).

The New What Next

Chris Archer (8-17, 4.06 ERA) gets the start this afternoon, opposite of Masahiro Tanaka (12-4, 3.11 ERA).

Archer surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk over 6-1/3 innings while fanning nine in a no-decision against Toronto on Sunday. He left the game with a 3-1 lead and a runner on first in the seventh inning, however, Brad Boxberger promptly allowed Toronto to tie the game, thus spoiling the victory for Archer. Prior to kicking September off with a quality start, he posted a solid 3.38 ERA in July and a 3.03 ERA in August. He’s been successful against the New York (2.52 ERA in 12 starts), however, the Rays have dropped both games he’s pitched against the Evil Empire this season. In his last start against the Yankeez, Archer allowed five runs in six innings, four of which were driven in by Starlin Castro.

Tanaka tossed 6-1/3 quality innings on Monday, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. Tanaka now has collected five straight wins, and three quality starts in his last four turns. However, the seven hits allowed were the most in his last six starts, and the three walks were his most since the middle of May. He hurled less than 60% of his pitches for strikes and was just 13-27 in first-pitch strikes.

Rays 9/10/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Franklin SS
Longoria 3B
Miller 1B
Morrison DH
Dickerson LF
Souza RF
Mahtook CF
Wilson C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— Immediately following the dismissal of former hitting coach Derek Shelton, the Rays announced the hiring of Chad Mattola, a hitting coordinator within the organization.

According Danny Russell, who recently published an article about Mattola on DRaysBay, Mottola is known as an outside-the-box thinker when it comes to hitting approaches, who’s helped many players adjust their stance and swing, making lots of headway with plenty of minor leaguers.

Russell went on to say Mottola has indeed been instrumental in working with several Rays prospects across the system. Case in point, Mottola is credited behind the scenes with the adjustment to Daniel Robertson’s swing that has helped him succeed against Triple-A pitching after recovering from a broken hamate bone.

In short, while there may not be a change in the organization’s philosophy, the hope is that Mattola might be a better conduit of that message. The DRaysBay article (linked above) is an interesting read for anyone who wants to better know the Rays’ new hitting coach.

Tampa Bay Rays 9/9/16 pregame notes, etc

Blake Snell is set to make his second career start at Yankee Stadium tonight. (Photo Credit: TBO.com)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back from last night’s 5-4 loss against the New York Yankees with Blake Snell on the mound tonight.

Tampa Bay hit four homers yesterday, two each by Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr. The Outlaw is currently in the midst of a career-long 12-game hit streak, and has 11 homers — his highest total with the Rays. On the whole, the Rays have mashed 188 homers; they need to hit 12 more to set a new franchise record.

The New What Next

Blake Snell (5-7, 3.39 ERA) will get the start for Tampa Bay, opposite of Michael Pineda (6-11, 5.80 ERA).

Snell allowed just one earned run on two hits and two walks over six innings on Saturday. The southpaw put together one of the best starts of his career, in spite of the residual effects of a leg bruise incurred against Against Houston in his last start. Snell recorded 13 whiffs overall, and put in his longest outing since July 24 against the Athletics, while also snapping a two-start losing skid.

Pineda threw 87 pitches over four innings on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while fanning four. He came away with a no-decision. It was his shortest, and most inefficient, outing since being chased by the Rays after 3-2/3 innings on May 28. Pineda has managed to pitch six innings just three times in his last six turns, posting a shaky 5.01 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 32-1/3 innings over that span.

Rays 9/9/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller DH
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Dickerson LF
Ramirez SS
Wilson C
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— Matt Duffy underwent left-heel surgery today in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Bob Anderson (team orthopedist for the Carolina Panthers) performed the surgery. Duffy will return to the Bay Area on Saturday and miss the remainder of the season.

Rays Roster Moves: Tampa Bay Rays sign Alexi Ramirez

The Tampa Bay Rays have inked a deal with veteran shortstop — and former two-time Silver Slugger Award winner — Alexei Ramirez, who was recently released by the San Diego Padres after posting a -17 DRS on the season. The deal comes days after the news that shortstop Matt Duffy would undergo season-ending surgery to alleviate a nagging Achilles injury.

The decision to sign Ramirez, as opposed to recalling the recently demoted Tim Beckham, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham due to a series of base running gaffes a week or so ago, is interesting to say the least. Though Beckham showed some promise at the plate this season, slashing .247 BA/.300 OBP/.434 SLG/.734 OPS in 215 plate appearances, he’s yet to justify his first round draft spot or even cement himself into the Rays long-term plans.

Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors) made note of the interesting decision to sign Ramirez, writing,

The 34-year-old Ramirez inked a one-year, $4MM contract with the Padres on the heels of a disappointing 2015 season — albeit one that saw him finish with a strong .282/.329/.426 in the season’s final three months — but received woeful results from the longtime White Sox infielder. Ramirez batted just .240/.275/.330 through 444 plate appearances with the Friars, and while he’s long graded out as a plus defender at short, Defensive Runs Saved pegged him at -17 this season, with Ultimate Zone Rating offering a similar assessment (-15.1).

Details on Ramirez’s contract aren’t yet clear, but it’s presumably just a one-year Major League pact, meaning it would run only through the end of the 2016 season. The Rays, then, would be on the hook for nothing more than the pro-rated portion of the league minimum. While that’s a fairly negligible investment, it’s still something of a mildly unexpected bonus for the Padres, who will save about $70K due to the Rays’ unexpected expenditure.