On the road to recovery, Brad Boxberger worked on agility drills at the Trop this afternoon.
Calling it a community effort to demonstrate to the Tampa Bay Rays that St. Petersburg deserves to be their forever home, Mayor Rick Kriseman released a one minute and 27 second mission statement video, introducing the Baseball Forever Campaign to the general public. You can watch that video below.
In short, the Baseball Forever Campaign is an initiative of the City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, residents, and fans of the Tampa Bay Rays. Please join us if you believe St. Petersburg should be the forever home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Become informed, sign up for email updates via the campaign’s website, and help support your Tampa Bay Rays.
Rays 4/29/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Souza RF
Morrison 1B
Guyer LF
Kiermaier CF
Casali C
Smyly LHP
Noteworthiness
― On the road to recovery from abdominal surgery, Rays RHP reliever Brad Boxberger and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield worked on agility drills at the Trop this afternoon. Boxberger is eyeing a mid-May return.
― “An analytical, statistically driven online broadcast, featuring Statcast as well as other broadcast enhancements will make it’s debut tonight, covering the Red Sox and Yankees game. Former Rays outfielder, Fernando Perez will be a part of the broadcast team for MLB Plus,” writes Adam Sanford (DRaysBay). You can learn more about MLB Plus here.
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. scores on an RBI double by Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali in the fifth inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)
Coming off a 3-1 loss, yet a series win, against Baltimore, the Tampa Bay Rays welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into the Trop for a three-game series, starting Friday. Tampa Bay is playing its fourth straight series against an AL East opponent while Toronto has already played 17 games within the division.
The Rays could not complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles despite allowing just three hits in the series finale. However, Tampa Bay, which split a four-game series against Toronto to open the season, is 7-4 over its last 11 games. Over that stretch, leadoff hitter Logan Forsythe is batting .395. He ranks among the AL leaders with an overall .307 average, and has collected seven doubles and an impressive .935 OPS.
Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke about Forsythe with Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), saying,
He’s been outstanding. Maybe I haven’t talked enough about him. We asked a guy who had a really good year to change up and go into that leadoff spot. Part of the reason why is we thought No. 1 it would get him more at-bats, but it was going to make us a better lineup. … He bought in, which kind of shows what he’s about, and the teammate he is. Then he goes and he just continued to knock the cover off the ball.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production (last 14 days).Rays and Blue Jays (by the numbers).
Still the Rays are searching for consistent offense after totaling six runs and batting .180 with 27 strikeouts, while winning two of three from Baltimore. There is a bright side though, Tampa Bay has scored 16 of its last 19 runs with two outs and its .510 slugging percentage with two outs is tops in the American League.
The sputtering Blue Jays, on the other hand, come in after being swept in three-games by the ChiSox. Toronto has dropped six of eight, and has fallen within one-half games of last place.
The Jays have totaled 217 strikeouts (second-most in the AL) and has a .225 batting average wRISP ― this, after leading the majors at .286 last season. They struck out 31 times in the three games against the south-siders. Adding insult to injury, the Jays have scored just one run in the last 24 innings.
Cash will start Drew Smyly (1-2, 2.51 ERA), Chris Archer (1-4, 5.47 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.58 ERA) this weekend.
Smyly is 1-1 with a 4.96 ERA in six career starts against Toronto. He, however, has thrown incredibly well this season, locating all four of his pitches and frequently getting ahead in the count. He is 3-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 outings at Tropicana Field.
Archer finally picked up his first win Monday against Baltimore, after allowing no runs in 6-2/3 innings. The ace located his pitches and got ahead in the count. And while he’s known for his fastball/slider combo, he successfully relied upon his changeup ― yet another potent weapon ― in that outing.
Odorizzi has shown to be adept at preventing the big inning and posses the ability to battle when he doesn’t have his best stuff, which he did Tuesday while holding the Orioles to one run in five innings. Now, if he can get ahead of batters and again become the efficient pitcher he was in 2015. This season righties are hitting .329 while lefties are batting .225 against Odorizzi.
Rays and Blue Jays series starters (last 14 days).
Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 3.33 ERA) allowed a season-high 10 hits and six earned runs in his last outing, an 8-5 loss against Oakland. Then again he pitched seven innings of one-run ball against Tampa Bay on April 5th. The 23 year-old righty relies primarily on a 93 mph sinker, while mixing in an electric 95 mph four-seam fastball and an 80 mph curve. Sanchez went 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA over 8-2/3 innings against Tampa Bay last season. Key matchups: Hank Conger (1-2), Corey Dickerson (1-3, HR, RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-2) Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, 2B), Steve Pearce (1-4, BB)
JA Happ (3-0, 2.42 ERA) allowed three runs over seven innings on 92 pitches his last time out against Oakland. The southpaw is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in six starts at the Trop, although he allowed just two runs on seven scattered hits over six innings in a 3-5 loss on April 6th. Happ isn’t overpowering, yet he gets by by mixing his 93 mph four-seam fastball with an 85 mph cutter, 92 mph sinker, 79 mph curveball and an 86 mph change. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (2-6, RBI BB), Desmond Jennings (3-9, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (8-21, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (2-3), Logan Morrison (7-14, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (8-22, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-6, 2B, HR, RBI)
Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.37 ERA) has thrown at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts (dating back to 2015). He is 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay, and this is the second time this year he will be matched up against them. In that outing, Stroman allowed three runs on five hits over eight frames. Stroman relies upon a 93 mph sinker, an 86 mph slider, an 83 mph curveball, an 85 mph change, a 90 mph cutter, and a 93 mph four-seam fastball. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-3), Hank Conger (2-5, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Desmond Jennings (3-8, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (5-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (3-5, HR, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr.
Noteworthiness
― Steven Souza Jr. went 6-15 with three homers in the Opening Series against Toronto.
― Little steps… Logan Morrison has hit safely in four consecutive games, raising his average to .107.
― Evan Longoria is 1-11 against the right-handed Sanchez.
― Kevin Pillar is 8-18 during a five-game hitting streak, however, is 0-5 in his career vs. Smyly.
― Jose Bautista is mired in a 4-27 slump for Toronto.
― Josh Donaldson is tied for third in the AL with a .421 average off lefties, sporting a .947 SLG for one of baseball’s best marks.
Kevin Kiermaier jumps over Steven Souza Jr. after Souza made a leaping catch of a fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
Even though the Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t put away the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale Thursday night, there was one glimmering highlight: the fourth inning, diving catch by Steven Souza Jr.
Call it laziness, or perhaps I had a ton on my plate last night. Whatever the case, neither I nor the crack staff at X-Rays Spex covered last night’s ballgame. Still, the catch heard ’round the world deserved some treatment. That being said, enjoy the catch that Matt Moore called the best catch he ever saw while he was on the mound.
I didn’t think anybody is going to catch that ball, and that was everything he had there, Moore said. There was no more he could have reached out for.
Thank you for your letter and interest in our Baseball Forever campaign to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.
As you know, the discussion regarding the future of the Rays resulted from the City of St. Petersburg allowing the Rays to explore future stadium sites, not only in St. Petersburg, but throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.
I am proud of the agreement we reached and proud of our City Council for understanding that not allowing the Rays to explore area sites may have led the team to leave our region altogether following the 2027 season. But allowing the Rays to explore future stadium sites outside St. Petersburg’s city limits should not be taken as a sign of our willingness to cede the team to another municipality or county.
We strongly believe that the Rays’ current site, reimagined and redeveloped, remains their best long-term option, and we’re confident that the team’s exploration will lead them to agree. I’ve said this consistently.
The Tampa Bay Rays were born in St. Petersburg, and the Baseball Forever campaign is about making our case as to why they should remain here. It’s about showing enthusiasm for our hometown team and presenting to them a vision of the future. We fully expect other area cities, counties, and/or private landowners to do the same.
And as has been reported since the inception of Baseball Forever, we will work closely with neighboring cities or counties should the Rays identify a future stadium site outside St. Petersburg, as we fully support the regional impact of this team.
Rebuilding relationships and regional thinking has been a hallmark of my time in office, and is the very reason we’re having this conversation. We have commitments from Tampa Bay’s four biggest governments to fund a high-speed ferry because we recognize that we are all stronger when we work together.
But first and foremost, I am the mayor of St. Petersburg, and I will always fight to keep a large employer, especially a good corporate citizen like the Rays, in my city.
Finally, please know that anyone who shares my vision for St. Petersburg’s future is welcome to be a part of Baseball Forever, and having your support would give our efforts a considerable boost.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
The new bash brothers? (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1, thanks to a key sixth inning two-run homer by Kevin Kiermaier. With the win, the Rays are again at .500 on the season, as they’ll go for the series sweep on Wednesday.
Starter Jake Odorizzi allowed one run and seven hits in five innings of work on 93 pitches (60 strikes). Credit where it’s due, despite getting into six full counts, Odorizzi walked just one batter and wiggled his way out of two big wRISP situations.
The Rays initially took the lead when Desmond Jennings drove in Logan Forsythe on a sacrifice-fly with the bases loaded in the third inning. Even though Baltimore tied the game in the top of the following inning, Kevin Kiermaier put the good guys on top again (and for good) in the sixth, sending an 0-2 fastball on the inner third of the plate into the right field seats.
Three home runs for @KKiermaier39 in his last 8 games.
At 0-10 wRISP in the game, it’s safe to say the Rays left a lot of chicken on the bone. Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke to that point, saying,
We put a clinic on offensively of not what to do with runners in scoring position early on.
In any case, the Rays have now won three in a row, with 11 of their 13 runs over the stretch coming with two outs.
The New What Next
Matt Moore will take the mound in Wednesday night’s series finale, opposite of Chris Tillman. Moore is 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 10 career starts against Baltimore. When the lefty is up 0-2 in the count, he’s allowed just one hit in 10 official at-bats and fanned five. This marks the eighth consecutive series between the two teams that Tillman will have a start. Tillman is 2-for-3 and didn’t factor in the decision in the other two games, both won by Tampa Bay. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 4/27/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Conger C
Moore LHP
Noteworthiness
— On Alex Cobb and Brad Boxberger…
Cobb continued the program to build up his arm strength on Tuesday, throwing 25 fastballs off the mound in a bullpen session. He is expected to continue throwing bullpen sessions until he begins to face hitters in June. The righty told Bill Chastain (Rays beat writer, MLB.com) that he’s beginning to feel more familiar with throwing a baseball.
Even in Spring Training, when he’s not returning from an injury,
It takes a good eight to 10 bullpens before I’m feeling like I know how to pitch again, Cobb said. I’m very happy with how quickly I’ve gotten to the point I’m at already.
Cobb has focused solely on his mechanics and nothing else.
I’m not worried about my elbow, I’m not worried about the way the ball is coming out. I’m worried about how my mechanics line up to make the pitches do what I want them to do. That’s a great sign. It’s a good sign for me mentally to just be focusing on that instead of the other stuff that goes along with the surgery.
Cobb should return by late July or early August.
Boxberger was cleared by Dr. William Meyers — the Philadelphia doctor who performed his core muscle surgery in March — to resume full baseball activity. Like Cobb, Boxberger is on a similar program of throwing bullpen sessions and should be just about ready to face live hitters. He throw will his second bullpen session Wednesday.
He said everything is good, ready to go, Boxberger said. I can start working more on the baseball stuff, agilities and all that. Getting back with the boys.
The reliever still expects a mid-May return to the bullpen.
Cash was pleased with the news, saying,
We had a really good report, from what I heard from (head athletic trainer) Ron (Porterfield). And talking to Box, he seemed excited. … He’s eager to get back out there, which is great. We expect a lot of big things when he gets back. From talking to him, he’s eager to get back out there, which is great,” said Cash, who added, Porterfield said he’s been tremendous in the weight room and in the rehab. We expect a lot of big things when he is back.
— Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza both reached homers in 58 plate appearances (tied for the ninth quickest in team history to start a season).
— According to Elias Sports Beureau, the Rays have scored 15 of their 18 runs in the last five games with two outs (83.3%). For the season, 42 of 70 of their runs have been scored with two outs (60%), highest in the majors.
