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TNWN: Rays vs the Bronx Bummers — a series preview

After sweeping the Colorado Rockies in three games, the Tampa Bay Rays play host to the bummers from the Bronx in a three-game series, starting Friday. The Yankees, most recently, dropped two of three to the Nationals.

At 78-51 on the season, the Rays enter play 27 games over .500 with 33 games left to play. The Yankees, uhh…snapped their nine-game losing streak.

Tampa Bay is thriving at the moment, winning five of the last series. They scored 23 runs in the series against the Rockies, and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Over the last week, the Rays have slashed .355 BA/.434 OBP/.548 SLG/.982 OPS with a 179 wRC+. In all fairness, they have been very lucky as it relates to BABIP, but after a very unlucky July, let’s enjoy the ride.

The Yankees have had more in common with a shop-vac, in that they have sucked for a while now including the last week, slashing .186 BA/.272 OBP/.404 SLG/.676 OPS with an 85 wRC+. They’ve been able to pop homers, but not much else.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.89 ERA and 3.88 FIP (3.81 ERA and 3.56 FIP for the starters, 3.99 ERA, and 4.26 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay regressed to a combined 4.70 ERA and 3.42 FIP (6.31 ERA and 4.01 FIP for the starters, but a 2.66 ERA and a 2.68 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, New York’s pitching staff has performed to an overall 4.07 ERA and 4.43 FIP (4.72 ERA and 4.80 FIP for the starters, 3.20 ERA, and 3.94 FIP for the relievers). They’ve regressed over their season numbers the last seven days, pitching to a combined 4.60 ERA and a 5.18 FIP (5.47 ERA and a 5.34 FIP for the starters, 3.54 ERA and a 4.99 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays are 6-4 against the Yankees this season with a +8 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Zach Eflin (13-7, 3.58 ERA, 3.17 FIP), Tyler Glasnow (6-4, 3.35 ERA, 3.12 FIP), and Zack Littell (2-4, 4.27 ERA, 3.61 FIP). Aaron Boone will counter with Gerrit Cole (10-4, 3.03 ERA, 3.46 FIP), Clarke Schmidt (8-7, 4.68 ERA, 4.38 FIP), and Carlos Rodon (1-4, 6.27 ERA, 7.06 FIP).

Zach Eflin allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings against the Angels on Saturday. Neither team scored through the first three frames, but the Rays put six runs on the board between the fourth and fifth innings, and Eflin took advantage of the support. The right-hander allowed just one extra-base hit — a Hunter Renfroe homer in the fifth — and logged his 14th quality start of the season. Overall, he boasts a 3.58 ERA and a 3.17 FIP, with a 1.03 WHIP, and a 7.16 K/BB over 138.1 innings.

Gerrit Cole allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against the Red Sox on Saturday. He struck out four. Cole unraveled in the second inning, surrendering up back-to-back singles and a walk to open the inning before giving up a grand slam to Luis Urias. The right-hander would last just four innings, marking his shortest outing of the season, while also allowing a season-high six earned runs. He came into Saturday’s contest having not allowed two home runs in a start since May 28. He still maintains a 3.03 ERA and a 3.46 FIP, with a 1.07 WHIP, and a 3.95 K/BB over 160.1 innings. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (10-37, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Yandy Díaz (13-48, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB), Isaac Paredes (4-15, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Rene Pinto (2-4), Harold Ramírez (6-11, 2B, 4 RBI), José Siri (2-7, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

Tyler Glasnow allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits while striking out seven batters over six innings. Glasnow wasn’t exactly knocked around in the outing — of the eight hits against him, three didn’t leave the infield — but his final stat line still reflected one of his worst outings of the campaign. It was just the second time in 14 starts that he has allowed more than three earned runs, and the eight hits against him area season worst. Glasnow did manage to extend his streak of starts with at least seven strikeouts to 10, and his season ERA still looks good at 3.35 with a 3.12 FIP.

Clarke Schmidt allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out eight. It was an encouraging bounce-back performance from Schmidt after he allowed eight runs in his last outing against Atlanta. Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander maintains a 4.68 ERA and a 4.38 FIP, with a 1.34 WHIP, and a 3.46 K/BB across 25 starts (123 innings). Key Matchups: Yandy Díaz (3-6, 2B, 2 RBI), Brandon Lowe (1-3, 2 RBI), Isaac Paredes (2-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB), José Siri (3-4, 2B)

Zack Littell allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Rockies. He struck out six. Littell induced a second-inning popup by Nolan Jones that landed just inside the left-field foul line, resulting in an unfortunate triple due to miscommunication between Osleivis Basabe and Curtis Mead. Jones would score on a sacrifice fly before Michael Toglia hit a solo homer. Littell conceded two more earned runs in the sixth inning. In five starts since joining the rotation July 30, the righty has posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 10.5 K/BB across 28 innings.

Carlos Rodon allowed one run on six hits over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out one. Rodon pitched well in his return from the IL while making it through six innings for the first time this season. Through seven starts (33 innings), Rodon is 1-4 with a 6.27 ERA and a 7.06 FIP, with a 1.42 WHIP, and a 1.44 K/BB. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Christian Bethancourt (1-4, 2B, BB), Yandy Díaz (3-9, HR, 3 RBI), Brandon Lowe (1-4, 2B, BB)

TNWN: Rays vs Rockies — a series preview

After a successful 4-2 road trip out west, capped by a series win against the Angels, the Tampa Bay Rays return home to the friendly confines of the Trop, where they start a three-game set against the Rockies on Tuesday. Colorado, most recently, took two of three from the White Sox.

At 75-51 on the season, the Rays enter play 24 games above .500 with 36 games left to play.

Tampa Bay has taken hit after hit this season after its best start in franchise history. Since then, they have lost three of the original starting rotation members to season-ending injuries — the latest being left-hander Shane McClanahan, who was one of the favorites to win the AL Cy Young award. The Rays are also dealing with some off-the-field issues with Wander Franco that could keep him out indefinitely. Even so, they continue to survive. On Sunday, the Rays pounded the Angels for 18 runs on 20 hits including three home runs en route to their sixth win in 10 tries, and their ninth win in 15 tries. Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay’s offense has performed to a sizzling .331 BA/.398 OBP/.508 SLG/.906 OPS with a 157 wRC+, and a 15.8 wRAA.

The Rays continue to slip out of their July funk, although if they want to catch up to the Orioles, they are going to need to rattle off a winning streak. Enter the Rockies.

Colorado has moved on following the trade deadline, although those who remain on the roster are not ready to roll over for the rest of the season. Over the weekend, the Rockies pounded the White Sox for 30 runs (25 in the first two contests). Still, they fell short in the series. Charlie Blackmon had a good afternoon with two hits, including a double and a home run. Like the Rays, they have put up fantastic numbers over the last seven days, slashing a .315 SLG/.393 OBP/.553 SLG/.946 OPS line, with a 141 wRC+, and a 17.3 wRAA. Be that as it may, the Rockies have been subpar away from Coors Field, where the ball flies, slashing .230 BA/.291 OBP/.365 SLG/.656 OPS, with a 77 wRC+. Look for Rays’ hurlers to try to take advantage of the road-weary club from Denver.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.89 ERA and 3.89 FIP (3.77 ERA and 3.55 FIP for the starters, 4.03 ERA, and 4.29 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay improved (over the previous week) to a combined 3.91 ERA and 3.66 FIP (3.82 ERA and 3.51 FIP for the starters, 4.05 ERA and a 3.92 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, the Rockies’ pitching staff is clearly the team’s Achilles heel, pitching to an overall 5.53 ERA and 5.17 FIP (5.95 ERA and 5.72 FIP for the starters, 5.02 ERA, and 4.53 FIP for the relievers). They’ve regressed over their season numbers the last seven days, pitching to a combined 5.83 ERA and a 4.75 FIP (4.72 ERA and a 4.40 FIP for the starters, 7.78 ERA and a 5.35 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays went 2-1 against the Rockies in 2019, the last time these two squared off, with a +9 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will call on Zack Littell (2-4, 3.99 ERA, 3.47 FIP), Aaron Civale (6-3, 2.44 ERA, 2.22 FIP), and a pitcher (or pitchers) to be named before the finale. Bud Black will counter with Ty Blach (1-1, 4.14 ERA, 5.02 FIP), Austin Gomber (9-9, 5.52 ERA, 5.27 FIP), and Peter Lambert (3-4, 5.02 ERA, 5.35 FIP).

Zack Littell allowed two runs on three hits (including a homer) and struck out five without walking a batter over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants. Littell came up an out short of a quality start against his former team. This was his fourth consecutive turn as a traditional starter, and he’s allowed just seven runs across 22.2 innings in that span. The right-hander owns a 3.99 ERA and a 3.47 FIP, with a 1.23 WHIP, and a 6.83 K/BB through 47.1 innings over 20 appearances (seven starts).

Ty Blach allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two. Blach managed to escape Tuesday’s home start in fair condition, with all of the damage against him coming via a third-inning two-run homer by Christian Walker. Blach has been a reliable arm for the Rockies since entering the rotation and owns a 3.05 ERA with a 1.33 K/BB over his last four outings (20.2 innings). He relies primarily on a 90 mph fourseam fastball that has heavy sinking action and an 80 mph changeup that dives down and out of the zone, while also mixing in an 85 mph 12-6 slider, and an 80 mph 12-6 curveball.

Aaron Civale allowed no runs on five scattered hits and a walk over six scoreless frames against the Giants. He struck out five. It was the first win for Civale since he was traded from Cleveland, and is now 1-1 through his first three starts with Tampa Bay while allowing five runs over 15.1 innings. Overall, Civale’s ERA is down to 2.44, with a 2.22 FIP, a 1.12 WHIP, and 2.88 K/BB across 16 starts (92.1 innings) between the Rays and Guardians.

Austin Gomber allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out one. After surrendering up a first-inning two-run home run to Christian Walker, Gomber seemed to find his groove until he fell apart in the sixth, walking three of the first five batters he faced reached base while also surrendering two hits, which lead to four more runs crossing the plate for Arizona. He’s now given up at least six hits in seven straight starts. He’s also issued three walks in two of his last three outings, and the six runs were the most he’s allowed since June 9 against the Padres. All told, Gomber maintains a 5.52 ERA and a 5.27 FIP, with a 1.47 WHIP, and a 2.10 K/BB over 130.1 innings on the season. He relies primarily on a 91 mph fourseam fastball, while also mixing in a hard 85 mph slider that has short glove-side cut, an 82 mph changeup that has surprising cut action, and a 78 mph curveball that has sharp downward bite and glove-side movement.

TBA

Peter Lambert surrendered one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out five on Friday against the White Sox. Lambert served up a leadoff homer to Elvis Andrus in the first inning but settled in for an impressive performance. It was Lambert’s longest outing of the season and his first time punching out at least five batters since May 13. He lowered his season ERA to 5.02, with a 5.35 FIP, a 2.33 K/BB through 66.1 frames. Lambert relies primarily on a 93 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action, an 86 mph slider that has short glove-side cut, and an 86 mph changeup that has natural sinking action. Key Matchup: Harold Ramirez (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB)

TNWN: Rays vs Angels — a series preview

After winning two of three in San Francisco, the Tampa Bay Rays cap their road trip in Anaheim, when they open a three-game set against the Angels on Friday. The Angels dropped two of three against the Rangers.

At 73-50 on the season, the Rays enter play 23 games over .500 with 39 games left to play.

The Rays played well aside from Tuesday’s shit show in San Francisco. In Monday and Wednesday’s contests, Tampa Bay limited the Giants to just three total runs, while the offense averaged eight. As expected, the Rays’ power numbers were suppressed in the cool San Francisco night air, yet they ripped three homers in the finale, including a Luke Raley inside-the-park homer. They have now won four out of their last five series in spite of all the gnarly shit that continues to pummel the team. Over the last week, the Rays have put up a 109 wRC+ on the backs of a .268 BA/.322 OBP/.415 SLG/.727 OPS line.

The Angels continued their second-half slide against the Rangers, and have scored only 13 runs in the last seven days. Their .176 BA/.216 OBP/.303 SLG/.519 OPS slash line has been ice-cold over that stretch, resulting in a 37 wRC+. They have won just four of the last 15 games.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.86 ERA and 3.89 FIP (3.70 ERA and 3.53 FIP for the starters, 4.05 ERA, and 4.31 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay improved (over the previous week) to a combined 4.94 ERA and 3.92 FIP (3.74 ERA and 3.65 FIP for the starters, 6.35 ERA and a 4.25 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, the Angels’ pitching staff has been okay overall, pitching to an overall 4.54 ERA and 4.53 FIP (4.61 ERA and 4.49 FIP for the starters, 4.44 ERA, and 4.58 FIP for the relievers). They’ve regressed dramatically over the last seven days to a combined 7.20 ERA and a 5.04 FIP (7.07 ERA and a 5.34 FIP for the starters, 7.36 ERA and a 4.67 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays went 5-2 against the Angels last season, albeit with a -1 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Erasmo Ramirez (2-3, 5.72 ERA, 4.28 FIP) for an undetermined amount of time, Zach Eflin (12-7, 3.67 ERA, 3.10 FIP), and Tyler Glasnow (6-3, 3.01 ERA, 3.12 FIP). Phil Nevin will counter with Tyler Anderson (5-4, 5.28 ERA, 4.41 FIP), Chase Silseth (4-1, 3.27 ERA, 4.55 FIP), and Patrick Sandoval (6-9, 4.09 ERA, 4.06 FIP)

Erasmo Ramirez will be pitching on two days’ rest, although he shouldn’t be too tired after tossing just 18 pitches in a one-inning appearance Tuesday in San Francisco. He has covered between two and 3.1 innings in each of his prior four outings, although he likely won’t go further than four frames. Overall, Ramirez owns a 5.72 ERA and a 4.28 FIP, with a 1.58 WHIP, and a 3.00 K/BB across 39.1 innings.

Tyler Anderson allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings Saturday against the Astros. Anderson put up through three scoreless frames before the Astros struck for four runs in the fourth, with three coming on a Kyle Tucker homer. The southpaw then allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base with two outs in the fifth inning — three of whom came around to score. Anderson looked like he might be turning things around in his past two turns coming into Saturday, as he had allowed just three runs over 11.1 frames. Yet, he’s been disappointing as a whole after signing with the Angels in the offseason, posting a 5.28 ERA and a 4.41 FIP, with a 1.52 WHIP across 109 innings. Anderson relies primarily on a 90 mph fourseam fastball, an 80 mph changeup and an 85 mph cutter that has extreme cut action, while also mixing in an 88 mph heavy sinker.

Zach Eflin allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk over three innings Sunday against Cleveland. He struck out three. The Guardians were all over Eflin, who allowed multiple hits in each of his three innings, including four extra-base hits (two of which left the yard). He’s allowed one or fewer runs over six or more innings in three of his last six appearances while allowing at least five runs over four or fewer innings in his other three games. All told, Eflin owns a 3.67 ERA and a 3.10 FIP, with a 1.03 WHIP, and a 7.33 K/BB across 132.1 innings.

Chase Silseth tossed five scoreless innings against the Astros on Sunday. He allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out five. Silseth has made four starts since his July 19 promotion, all against teams currently over .500, and holds a 1.59 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, with a 6.2 K/BB across 22.2 innings. Worth noting, Phil Nevin has allowed Silseth to throw more than 85 pitches only once over that span, and he’s reached six innings only once. He relies primarily on an 83 mph slider that sweeps across the zone and a whiffy 95 mph fourseam fastball, while also mixing in a 94 mph sinker that has some natural sinking action, a firm 87 mph splitter that has some natural sink to it, and a 92 mph worm-killer cutter.

Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over six innings against the Giants on Monday. Glasnow hadn’t pitched since July 31 due to back spasms, but the issue appeared to be a non-factor Monday. The right-hander received plenty of run support and was pulled after a modest 87 pitches but still managed to record six innings to finish with his fifth straight quality start. Over that stretch, Glasnow has been dominant, posting a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, with a 4.33 K/BB over 33 innings.

Patrick Sandoval surrendered five runs (four earned) on four hits and six walks over 2.2 innings Monday against the Rangers. He struck out six. Sandoval allowed two runs in the second inning followed by three more in the third and struggled with his command all night. He previously gave up two runs or fewer in five straight starts before Monday’s hiccup. His ERA climbed to 4.09 with a lackluster 4.06 FIP, a 1.88 K/BB, and a 1.42 through 112.1 frames. Sandoval relies primarily on an 86 mph slider, an 83 mph swing-and-miss changeup, and a 93 mph fourseam fastball, while also mixing in a 93 mph worm-killer sinker, and a 76 mph curveball that has slight glove-side movement. Key Matchups: Brandon Lowe (1-3, HR, RBI), Isaac Paredes (1-2, HR, 2 RBI, BB), José Siri (1-2)

Noteworthiness

— Reinforcements incoming. The Rays activated right-hander Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgery) from the 60-day Injured List Thursday and designated right-hander Hector Perez for assignment.

Kittredge, 33, has not pitched in a big-league game since June 7, 2022. In six seasons with Tampa Bay, Kittredge is 16-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 167 outings.

TNWN: Rays vs Giants — a series preview

After taking two of three from the Guardians, the Tampa Bay Rays head out to San Francisco, where they start a three-game series against the Giants, on Monday. The Giants dropped two of three to the Rangers over the weekend.

At 71-49 0n the season, the Rays enter play 22 games above .500 with 42 games left to play.

Tampa Bay bounced back from a pair of disappointing losses against the Cardinals with two come-from-behind walk-off wins on Friday and Saturday. The series finale, on the other hand, was a truly ugly loss at a time when ugly losses shouldn’t happen. Not only has the relief corps been taxed — Kevin Cash called on six pitchers Sunday — but the Rays also had to fly across the country without the benefit of an off-day. Consider, too, the fact that Tyler Glasnow hasn’t pitched in over a week and a half, and could have a shorter leash because of it in the series opener, and you’ve got the makings of a potential disaster. Expect the Rays to make some roster moves to get some fresh arms into the ‘pen.

Nevertheless, the Rays’ offensive woes continue to slowly wane. They were able to put up 17 runs against a stingy Guardians’ pitching staff, and have slashed a .274 BA/.329 OBP/.481 SLG/.810 OPS line over the last seven days, with a 128 wRC+ and a 5.5 wRAA. To their credit, the Rays have slugged their way to an excellent .207 ISO over the last week, although I wouldn’t be surprised if that power production — or, at the very least, the long ball — is suppressed in the cool, heavy atmosphere of San Francisco.

In contrast, the Giants have won just four of their last 10 games. To their credit, they were able to snap a four-game skid with an extra-inning walk-off win against the Rangers. However, they have slashed an ice-cold .209 BA/.295 OBP/.299 SLG/.594 OPS line over the last seven days, with a 65 wRC+ and a -9.5 wRAA. Assuming the Rays pitching staff can bounce back after it allowed 22 runs over the life of the series against Cleveland, they should be able to keep the Giants in check.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.84 ERA and 3.90 FIP (3.69 ERA and 3.52 FIP for the starters, 4.02 ERA, and 4.34 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay regressed to a combined 5.17 ERA and 4.08 FIP (3.24 ERA and 3.02 FIP for the starters, 6.83 ERA and a 4.99 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, the Giants’ pitching staff has been solid overall, pitching to an overall 3.90 ERA and 3.97 FIP (4.17 ERA and 4.11 FIP for the starters, 3.62 ERA, and 3.62 FIP for the relievers). They’ve regressed to a combined 5.47 ERA and a 3.99 FIP (7.79 ERA and a 4.49 FIP for the starters, 4.28 ERA and a 3.77 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays last faced the Giants in 2019 when they went 2-1, and outscored San Francisco 12-8.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will likely call on Tyler Glasnow (5-3, 3.15 ERA, 3.18 FIP), Zack Littell (2-3, 3.72 ERA, 3.42 FIP), and Aaron Civale (5-3, 2.61 ERA, 3.40 FIP). Gabe Kapler hasn’t named a starter for the opening game of the series, and it’s thought he’ll lean on Sean Manaea (3-3, 5.10 ERA, 3.57 FIP), and Ross Stripling (0-5, 5.10 ERA, 5.25 FIP) in some capacity the other two days.

Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings against the Yankees. He struck out eight and threw 94 pitches (61 strikes, 65% strike rate, 18% SwStr%). Glasnow now has eight or more strikeouts in six of his last seven starts while pitching to a 2.08 ERA in that span. He has returned to elite form after missing the first two months of the season with an oblique injury. Overall, Glasnow’s ERA is down to 3.15 with a 3.18 FIP, a 1.08 WHIP, and 4.36 K/BB across 12 starts (68.2 innings) this season. Hey, look! After three times of cutting and pasting the same damn thing about Glasnow, he’s actually going to pitch!

TBA

Zack Littell allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings on Thursday. Littell held the Cardinals scoreless through three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Andrew Knizner in the fourth. St. Louis tacked on another run against the right-hander in the sixth inning. In spite of the loss, Littell continues to look good in his new role as a starter, tossing his second consecutive quality start. He now maintains a 3.72 ERA and a 3.42 FIP, with a 1.27 WHIP, and an 11.33 K/BB over 38.2 innings.

Sean Manaea allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out six over four-plus innings against the Angels on Wednesday. Manaea was solid, but he gave up a leadoff double to Luis Rengifo to open the sixth inning. Tristan Beck entered the game and allowed an intentional walk, a single, and a three-run home run to put a run on Manaea’s line. Over his last five outings, Manaea has given up one run, four hits, and two walks while striking out 14 over 11.2 innings. He’s at a 5.10 ERA and a 3.57 FIP overall, with a 1.27 WHIP, and 3.24 K/BB through 77.2 innings. Manaea relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph fourseam fastball and an 83 mph slider that has short glove-side cut, while also mixing in an 86 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (2-5, BB), Yandy Díaz (2-7, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB), Manuel Margot (2-8), Harold Ramírez (2-3, RBI), José Siri (1-3, 3B)

Aaron Civale surrendered two runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings Friday against the Guardians. He struck out two. It wasn’t a pretty outing, with Civale tying his season low with just two strikeouts and managing only three swinging strikes on 91 pitches (2% SwStr%). Still, a lot of the contact he allowed was soft, with his former team averaging just a 78.5 mph exit velocity off of him. While Civale managed to limit the damage, his first two turns for the Rays have been disappointing given favorable matchups against Detroit and Cleveland. Overall, he owns a 2.61 ERA and a 3.40 FIP, with a 1.12 WHIP, and a 2.78 K/BB.

Ross Stripling allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three without walking a batter over five innings Friday against the Rangers. Stripling was solid, although he gave up solo homers to Nathaniel Lowe and Mitch Garver on back-to-back pitches in the sixth inning. The right-hander has given up just 10 runs over his last 26.2 frames. He has a 5.10 ERA and a 5.25 FIP on the season, with a 1.26 WHIP, and a 5.27 K/BB in 72.1 innings over 18 appearances (11 starts) this season. Stripling relies primarily on an 87 mph slider, an 84 mph changeup, and a 92 mph swing-and-miss fourseam fastball, while also mixing in a 76 mph 12-6 curveball, and a 90 mph sinker. Key Matchups: Brandon Lowe (4-10, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Manuel Margot (10-26, 3 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Isaac Paredes (2-6, 2B), Harold Ramírez (5-13, 2 HR, 3 RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Given the allegations levied against Wander Franco this past weekend, Major League Baseball’s investigation into the matter, and the promotion of highly regarded shortstop prospect Osleivis Basabe, Franco — who was placed on the Restricted List for the duration of the team’s west coast trek — will not be traveling with the Rays to San Francisco and Anaheim. Without any confirmed updates on the matter, it would be irresponsible for me to speak about this issue any more than I already have at the moment.

TNWN: Rays vs Guardians — a series previes

After dropping two of three to the Cardinals, the Tampa Bay Rays look to rebound against the Guardians when they open a three-game set on Friday. Cleveland is coming off a series split with the Blue Jays.

At 69-48 on the season, the Rays enter play 21 games over .500 with 45 games left to play.

Suffice it to say, Tampa Bay dropped a winnable series against the Cardinals. Rays’ hurlers couldn’t keep the ball in the park, while the offense couldn’t get much to anything started in the final two games of the set. The Rays had been in a very good spot, offensively speaking, over the last week, slashing .295 BA/.352 OBP/.464 SLG/.816 OPS with a 132 wRC+ and a 5.9 wRAA. If you’re a Rays fan, you hope that the team will flush this and bounce back; after all, now is not the time for a July-like poor spate of play.

Meanwhile, the Guardians struggled over the past week and they’ve lost four of their last six games. They have now dropped 3.5 games behind Minnesota in the AL Central. Overall, the light-hitting team from Cleveland is averaging 3.99 runs per game, yet they averaged two runs fewer than that over the life of their most recent series against Toronto. Over the last week, the Guardians have slashed .199 BA/.251 OBP/.296 SLG/.547 OPS, with a 49 wRC+, and a -12.7 wRAA.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.79 ERA and 3.89 FIP (3.69 ERA and 3.52 FIP for the starters, 3.91 ERA, and 4.32 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay maintains a combined 3.68 ERA and 3.56 FIP (2.82 ERA and 2.73 FIP for the starters, 4.57 ERA and 4.22 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, the Guardians’ pitching staff has been solid overall, pitching to an overall 3.77 ERA and 4.13 FIP (3.92 ERA and 4.21 FIP for the starters, 3.53 ERA, and 4.00 FIP for the relievers). They’ve been even better over the last seven days, putting up a combined 2.50 ERA and a 3.41 FIP (2.50 ERA and a 4.15 FIP for the starters, 2.50 ERA and a 1.93 FIP for the relievers).

Tampa Bay went 2-4 against Cleveland last season, with a -4 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash is expected to turn to Aaron Civale (5-3, 2.55 ERA, 3.43 FIP), Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 3.15 ERA, 3.18 FIP) pending the status of his back, and Zach Eflin (12-6, 3.34 ERA, 2.92 FIP). Terry Francona will counter with Xzavion Curry (3-1, 2.95 ERA, 4.13 FIP), Gavin Williams (1-3, 2.90 ERA, 3.79 FIP), and Tanner Bibee (8-2, 2.92 ERA, 3.74 FIP).

Aaron Civale allowed three earned runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings against the Tiger on Saturday. He struck out four. Civale allowed a leadoff single in each of the first four innings, which led to one run coming across for Detroit in the second, followed by two more in the fourth. He was then relieved by Kevin Kelly in the fifth after allowing a one-out double, marking the first time that Civale has failed to make it through at least five frames since June 14. He had given up two or fewer runs in six consecutive starts coming in, and the nine hits he allowed Saturday matched his season high. All told, Civale owns a 2.55 ERA and a 3.43 FIP, with a 1.09 WHIP, and a 2.82 K/BB across 81.1 innings.

Xzavion Curry allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out four. In an efficient outing, Curry worked through five innings on just 65 pitches (45 strikes, 69% strike rate). He allowed a pair of runs in the opening frame before dealing four scoreless innings and exiting with a one-run lead. A reliever for most of the season, Curry has now made four starts and appears likely to stick in the rotation. Overall, he owns a 2.95 ERA and a 4.13 FIP, with a 1.16 WHIP, and a 2.65 K/BB across 64 innings on the season. Curry relies primarily on a 93 mph fourseam fastball and an 86 mph slider that has some two-plane movement, also mixing in a 75 mph curveball that has sharp downward bite.

Gavin Williams allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 12 batters across seven scoreless innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. The rookie allowed just a first-inning double to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. then retired the final nine batters he faced. Remarkably, this wasn’t the first seven-inning, one-hit, scoreless performance in Williams’ first nine MLB outings, he pitched another in his second career start. He maintains a 2.90 ERA and a 3.79 FIP, with a 1.19 WHIP, and a 2.23 K/BB through 49.2 innings. Williams relies primarily on a whiffy 96 mph fourseam fastball and an 85 mph slider that has some two-plane movement, while also mixing in a 77 mph worm-killer curveball that has exceptional bite.

Zach Eflin allowed one run on four hits over seven innings against St. Louis on Tuesday. He struck out eight. Nolan Arenado’s second inning solo homer accounted for the lone run against the right-hander. Eflin’s held opponents to a run or fewer in four of his last five starts, turning in a 2.25 ERA while issuing just two walks over that span (24 innings). Overall, Eflin owns a 3.34 ERA and a 2.92 FIP, with a 0.97 WHIP, and a 7.59 K/BB through 22 starts (129.1 innings).

Tanner Bibee struck out six while allowing six hits and no walks over seven scoreless innings Tuesday against Toronto. Bibee has been nothing short of spectacular since the start of July, posting a 1.70 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP across 42.1 innings. Overall, he owns a 2.92 ERA and a 3.74 FIP, with a 1.22 WHIP, and a 2.89 K/BB across 101.2 innings. Bibee relies primarily on a 95 mph fourseam fastball and an 85 mph slider that has exceptional depth and sweeps across the zone, while also mixing in a whiffy 84 mph changeup, and a 78 mph curveball that has sharp downward bite.

Noteworthiness

— Andrew Kittredge watch. Tampa Bay could receive reinforcements this week in one, Andrew Kittredge. The right-hander has been with Triple-A Durham for each of his last 10 appearances (10.1 innings). He’s allowed seven earned runs across 13.1 total innings — six of which came in just one-third of an inning in an outing on July 23, and one run five days later, resulting in a bloated 6.41 ERA, but a 3.41 FIP.