After a rough start against Tampa Bay in June of 2015, Chris Sale took out his frustration on a cooler in the dugout. (Photo Credit: MLB.com)
Rays 4/15/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Guyer RF
Longoria 3B
Pearce 1B
Jennings LF
Souza DH
Beckham SS
Kiermaier CF
Casali C
Odorizzi RHP
Noteworthiness
― Brandon Guyer, Steve Pearce and Tim Beckham are in tonight’s lineup tonight against the left-handed Chris Sale.
― The Rays named their starter for Saturday, and it indeed is Erasmo Ramirez. The righty is excited about the start, and says he thinks he can go four or five innings, as he isn’t stretched out from his time in the ‘pen.
Jake Odorizzi will take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in the series opener against the White Sox. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Chicago White Sox look to extend their winning streak when they visit the Trop on Friday to begin a three-game set on Friday to begin a three-game set, while the Tampa Bay Rays ― mired in an offensive slump ― look to end their two-game skid.
The Rays have dropped four of their last five games while managing just 10 runs in that span (an average of two-runs per game). Tampa Bay is coming off its second consecutive series loss, this time at the hands of Cleveland, who held them to just one run over the past two games. Logan Morrison’s batting average dipped to .069 while Brad Miller’s is .077 ― the two are a combined 4-for-55. To that end, Kevin Kiermaier, who started the season 4-for-7, has gone 0-for-his-last-18 since, while the team is batting .210 after consecutive five-hit efforts.
I actually liked the fact today it looked like guys were frustrated,” Rays Manager Kevin Cash told reporters. “That’s okay to be frustrated. We all should be a little frustrated after just the way we performed the last couple of nights, especially today. Today was just not good. Hopefully we’ll turn the frustration into a positive and get on the board early (Friday night).
He continued,
We didn’t do too many things well, or anything well for that matter today (as it relates to Thursday’s series finale). Let’s bounce back. We’ve got a night off. Let the guys go out and have a nice dinner, and come back ready to play a new series.
On the other hand the White Sox, carried by solid pitching, finished off the slumping Minnesota Twins with a 3-1 victory on Thursday ― the fourth consecutive for Chicago. They have allowed just six runs in their last five victories, and at 7-2 they are off to their best start since going 11-2 in 1957. The ChiSox are five games over .500 for the first time since the end of 2012. The pitching staff has a 2.25 ERA with a 2.75 mark from the starting rotation.
Chicago will send a trio of lefties to the mound; Chris Sale, John Danks and Jose Quintana. Cash will counter with Jake Odorizzi, Erasmo Ramirez (tentative) and Matt Moore.
Despite allowing no runs in five of the six innings he pitched on Sunday against the Orioles, Odorizzi got pegged with his first loss of the season thanks to a four-run second inning.
Ramirez, who worked two relief innings during Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to Cleveland, remains the likely candidate to draw a spot start Saturday. The 25 year-old righty threw 33 pitches over his two frames Wednesday and allowed two hits, including an unfortunate eighth-inning homer to Jason Kipnis. He fanned four, giving him six strikeouts in six innings of work to date in 2016.
Moore hurled seven innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against the Indians on Tuesday, matching his longest start from a season ago. The lefty has thrown over 100 pitches in both starts this season, after doing so once in 12 starts in 2015.
Key Matchups
Chris Sale: Sale has gotten enough offensive support to win his first two starts while allowing three runs in each with 13 hits given up in 14 total innings. He’s had a bit of trouble with the long ball, although he’s otherwise been sharp. His whiff rate is a bit down, however, that’s a dip from the typical elite-level rate he’s set as a standard. That is, he’s still very good. Boding well for the good guys, the lefty has struggled in his career against Tampa Bay, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in eight appearances (six starts). Key Matchups: Brandon Guyer (1-3, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3, RBI), Logan Morrison (1-3), Steve Pearce (3-9, 2B, RBI, BB)
John Danks: Danks was originally scheduled to throw Friday, but the team wants to keep Chris Sale on regular rest after a rain-out on Sunday. To put it bluntly, Danks has been the weakest link in Chicago’s rotation, and the Rays will look to pounce on any of his mistakes. In 30 starts last season, the left-hander went 7-15 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, yet that was an improvement from 2014, when his 6.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 left a lot to be desired. He tends to give up his fair share of homers. Key Matchups: Brandon Guyer (2-6, 2B, RBI), Desmond Jennings (2-6, 2B, RBI), Logan Morrison (2-5, 2B), Steve Pearce (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3)
Jose Quintana: Quintana (1-0) held the Twins to one run on four hits in his first win of the season on Monday. The lefty fanned five and walked three. Through two starts, he has collected a 2.31 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Quintana relies primarily upon his 92 mph four seam fastball, a 78 mph curve which he uses to coax grounders, and a 92 mph sinker. He also mixes in an 86 mph changeup which is an extreme fly-ball pitch. Key Matchups: Logan Forsythe (4-5, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI), Desmond Jennings (2-3, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (2-6), Evan Longoria (3-8), Logan Morrison (4-9), Steve Pearce (3-6, 2B, HR, RBI)
Noteworthiness
― The Rays won five of six games against the White Sox last season, including a three-game sweep at Tropicana Field.
― Evan Longoria has hit safely in seven of nine games this season with two homers and five RBI.
― Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) 15 Homers have been allowed by the Rays in the first nine games; second most in franchise history — 16 in 2003, 2006.
― Also per Topkin, there have now been 44 Consecutive successful base stealers against Rays C Hank Conger, seven this season, 37 last year with Houston.
― Adam Eaton has set the table well for Chicago with 13 hits in eight games (.394 average, five multi-hit games).
― Melky Cabrera has four consecutive two-hit efforts.
― Jose Abreu is batting .354 with five homers, 18 RBI, 17 hits and seven walks in 13 career games against Tampa Bay.
Drew Smyly matched a career high, striking out 11 Wednesday night over seven innings. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Drew Smyly matched a career high with 11 strikeouts on Wednesday night, however Carlos Carrasco was a better. Carrasco, who came within an out of a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays last season, threw eight strong innings this time in the 4-1 win over the Rays.
What follows are some highlights and low-lights from Tuesday night’s contest against the Indians.
― Beware of the big inning… Smyly was perfect through the first three innings, fanning five. However, Rajai Davis doubled off the glove of shortstop Brad Miller to start the game’s only rally in the fourth. Jason Kipnis followed with a bloop single to center, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Francisco Lindor beat out a fielder’s choice, allowing Davis to score for a one run lead.
Mike Napoli was next, and he doubled to left to move both runners into scoring position. And even though Yan Gomes flew out to Logan Forsythe, who made an over-the-shoulder catch in right, Lindor tagged from third while Forsythe sailed a throw over the head of catcher Curt Casali and past Smyly (backing up the play), scoring a pair of runs.
― Smyly was able to bounce back from his rough outing against Toronto. He was able to keep the score at 3-0 over the next three innings, ultimately giving up just the three hits and one walk over seven innings of work, striking out 11.
― Carrasco was perfect until Logan Morrison hit a one-out single to center in the fourth inning, although he did not allow a runner beyond first base until the eighth.
In the eighth Kevin Kiermaier, who beat out a potential double play ball, scored on a Curt Casali double to left-center. While Forsythe was able to hit a single through the left side, Casali was thrown out at the plate to end the inning ― a play upheld upon review.
Send Casali from second made for a contentious decision, however, I do not disagree with Charlie Montoyo’s choice to wave the catcher home. Personally, in playing backseat manager, I’d have put a pinch runner into the game…someone with a bit more speed.
― Casual spoke about the play after the game (Courtesy of Rays Radio):
― If you didn’t catch it above, Logan “2-25” Morrison hit a single to right-center in the fourth inning. He also made solid contact down the first base line in the ninth, yet a diving Napoli was able to make a play for an out. For what it’s worth, 1-4 is better than going o’fer. Now, if only he’d collect an extra base hit and/or an RBI.
― One run on four hits against Carrasco is approximately four times better (as it relates to hits) and/or one time better (as it relates to runs) than the last time the Rays faced Cleveland’s righty. That’s progress, right?
― Brad “2-23” Miller also had a hit, an eighth inning single to right.
The New What Next
Tampa Bay and Cleveland will play the rubber game of the three-game set on Thursday afternoon. Chris Archer will toe the rubber opposite of Danny Salazar.
Archer, winless in his last eight starts and 0-2 this season, is confident he can bounce back from a rough outing against Baltimore,
The biggest thing, when you have a bad outing is bouncing back and trusting your ability, trusting your stuff. I know and I trust that if I fill up the strike zone, then I’ll get the ultimate goal and that’s a team win.
Salazar gave up just two hits in 7-2/3 innings in a 6-2 win at the Trop on June 30, 2015. The Rays will attempt to spoil his return to St. Petersburg.
Matt Moore put together a strong seven inning/one run start Tuesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)Matt Moore put together the best start of any Tampa Bay Rays hurler on Tuesday night, posting seven strong innings while allowing just one run. Meanwhile, for the third time in a week, the Rays rallied in the eighth inning to win, this time beating Cleveland 5-1.
Moore got the start for Tampa Bay and allowed a run on five scattered hits. The southpaw fanned five, including the side in the first inning. Over the course of the first three innings, Moore gave up just two singles, yet more importantly Moore only incurred just one self inflicted wound. With the exception of Francisco Lindor and Yan Gomes in the fourth inning (more on that below), nary an opposing batter made it past first base.
Moore sequenced his pitches well, and even though he wasn’t throwing upper 90s heat, he impressively kept the wolves at bay by dropping in a well located changeup (14 overall, 10 strikes, 71.4% K%).
My personal favorite at-bat came with two outs in the top of the third. With Jason Kipnis at the plate, Moore dotted the outside corner of the zone with a 93 mph fastball. It was a borderline/below the zone pitch, yet Hank Conger made sure was called a strike by quickly shifting his glove upward. That particular at-bat resulted in a fly-ball out four pitches later.
The only real mistake made by Moore came in the fourth inning, when Lindor hammered an 0-1 changeup over the center-field wall for the go ahead lead.
Moore got some help to get through that frame without any further damage. After Mike Napoli singled through the shift into left, Carlos Santana just missed a homer to left which Desmond Jennings caught at the wall. Napoli, who isn’t the most fleet of foot, attempted to tag up from first, but Jennings wasn’t having any of it. The left-fielder rattled off a perfect throw from the warning track to Logan Forsythe at second. The throw was perfect and Forsythe quickly put down the tag for a 7-4 double play ― a play that was upheld by replay.
The play also proved important, as Gomes doubled to deep center three pitches later. Instead of unraveling, Moore kept it together and coaxed a grounder to second to end the threat and the inning. Matty Moe ultimately posted an impressive 7 IP/5 H/1 ER/1 BB/5 K line on 104 pitches (65 strikes).
Tampa Bay rallied in the seventh to tie the game with two outs. Corey Dickerson got the rally started by lining a ball to left over the head of Jose Ramirez which the designated hitter turned into a double. Jennings followed by blooping an RBI single to left-center, evening the game at one apiece. The Rays were able to take a commanding lead an inning later.
Indians’ hurler Corey Kluber allowed just three hits entering the eighth inning, that is to say he pitched well. However, the Rays finally got to him in that frame, and it all began with a one out walk by The Outlaw.
Well aware of the scouting report ― that Kluber allowed 16 stolen bases in 2015 ― Kiermaier stole second as Conger went down swinging (another play upheld by video replay). Forsythe came to the plate, but he quickly fell behind 0-2. However, he was able to battle back to work the count full before Kluber let loose with a misplaced fastball that Forsythe hammered over the left-center wall for two-run lead.
Click the photo to see the homer, courtesy of ESPN. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)The homer chased the 2014 Cy Young Award winner from the game, spoiling an otherwise excellent start.
Cody Allen entered the game in relief and walked Logan Morrison before allowing the second homer of the inning, this time a two-run shot to left by Evan Longoria, capping the four-run rally. Tampa Bay has now homered in 21 consecutive games (extending back to 9/20/15).
The rally made a winner out of Xavier Cedeno, who worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning in relief of Moore. Alex Colome finished up with a perfect ninth.
The New What Next
The Rays will look to get back to .500 on Wednesday when Drew Smyly takes the mound opposite of Carlos Carrasco. Smyly’s second start of the season was pushed back to Wednesday night after the winter weather postponement in Baltimore on Saturday. As for Carrasco, he will be hard pressed Wednesday night to match his last start against the Rays on July 1, when he carried a no-hit bid two outs into the ninth. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 4/13/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Morrison 1B
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Miller SS
Guyer RF
Kiermaier CF
Casali C
Smyly LHP
Noteworthiness
— Alex Cobb (Tommy John Surgery) advanced to throwing 20 fastballs halfway up a mound Tuesday before the game. “I think from here on out things will start speeding up,” said Cobb, who is expected to return by late July. Chase Whitley (Tommy John Surgery) also threw 20 fastballs halfway up the mound. He too is expected to return before season’s end.
“Good day, bad results — we’re not happy with how we’re throwing the ball,” said Jake Odorizzi (pictured) after his 6 IP/5 R start against the Orioles.
Rays 4/12/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Morrison 1B
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Miller SS
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Conger C
Moore LHP
Noteworthiness
― Both Alex Cobb and Chase Whitley took big steps forward in their recovery from Tommy John Surgery Tuesday afternoon. The hurlers threw 20 pitches off the mound for the first time since 2015, when they underwent the knife. It’s a “pretty big day,” said Cobb (a man of many words).
― Off to a 1-18 start, Logan Morrison was the first Ray on the field for early batting practice. According to Marc Topkin, Desmond Jennings joined LoMo on the field.
― A ray of sunshine, the Rays have eight homers through the first six games; their most in that span since 2009.
― Skipper Kevin Cash told the media they’ll wait until later in the week to decide on when and who will be the fifth starter. Whoever it may be will be needed eitherFriday or Saturday.
― Don’t forget to read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.
― Richie Shaffer was named the Independent League batter of the week after collecting a .538 batting average, with two doubles, seven RBI, and four walks in the Durham Bulls first four games. His seven hits and seven RBI lead the Independent League.
