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The New What Next: Rays vs. Yankees, Part Four — A Series Preview

Grady Sizemore slides home ahead of catcher Yan Gomes to score off of a single by Asdrubal Cabrera. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

For a pair of teams in contention at the official midpoint of the season, neither the Tampa Bay Rays nor the New York Yankees are playing like it. The division rivals look to put an end to their troubles at the expense of the other, when they open a three-game set in the Bronx on Friday.

It has been a streaky season for Tampa Bay, who is currently in the throes of a five-game losing streak after getting swept in four-games by the Cleveland Indians. Before going 2-9 over their last 11 games, the Rays went 9-2 over their previous 11 games. The team is 4-1 over their last five games against the Yankees.

New York hasn’t fared much better. The Yankees salvaged the finale of a three-game set against the Angels for their fourth win in 11 outings, going just 9-12 over a 21 game stretch. And while the Bronx Bummers have the second-best offense in the majors (averaging 4.67 runs per game), they find themselves in the bottom third of the league with a combined 4.03 ERA.

Tampa Bay started the season with a horrendous 0-6 record in head-to-head contests with New York yet, the Yankees have lost four of their last five games to the Rays.

Kevin Cash will send Chris Archer, Nathan Karns, and Erasmo Ramirez to the mound over the next three days. Archer (9-5, 2.31 ERA) suffered his first loss since the beginning of May in his last start Sunday, after allowing five runs on five hits — including a career-high three homers — in six innings against Boston. However, the right-hander sports a 5-0 career mark against the Yankees, with a 2.02 ERA and 0.82 WHIP — limiting the club to a .199 opposing batting average.

Karns (4-4, 3.26 ERA) lost despite a quality start Monday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings, while fanning seven. Ramirez (6-3, 4.01 ERA) took a hard-luck loss Tuesday against the Indians, allowing just one run on two hits over 5-2/3 innings. The smiley one struck out seven and walked just one.

Suffice it to say, each head-to-head series between and AL East rival is extremely important, setting the stage for an exciting set between the Yankees and Rays over the weekend.

Rays and Yankees series starters over the last 14 days.

Rays and Yankees offensive production over the last 14 days.

Masahiro Tanaka: Tanaka (4-3, 3.88) blew an early six-run lead against Houston on Saturday, allowing a career-high three homers for the second straight start before walking away with a no-decision. The 26-year-old looks to rebound versus Tampa Bay, against which he improved to 2-0 in his career after scattering two hits and punching out eight over seven innings on April 18. Key matchups: David DeJesus (3-6), Brandon Guyer (1-2, 2B), James Loney (2-3).

Michael Pineda: Per Rotowire, Pineda (8-5, 4.08 ERA) was a tough-luck loser against the Astros, pitching a complete game with eight strikeouts and three runs (two earned) Sunday. Pineda allowed two runs and three runs (respectively) in his two starts against Tampa Bay this season. While he’s given up four or more runs five times this season, none of those starts were against the Rays. Still, Tampa Bay has posted a decent .274 BA/.310 OBP/.400 SLG/.710 OPS combined line against the 26 year-old righty. Key matchups: David DeJesus (5-20, 2B, BB), Logan Forsythe (2-3, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, 3B, 2 RBI), James Loney (4-9), Grady Sizemore (1-4, 3B), Steven Souza Jr. (3-6, 2B, HR, 3 RBI).

CC Sabathia: Per Rotowire, Sabathia (3-8, 7.86 ERA) took his eighth loss as he allowed four runs on six hits and one walk over 7-1/3 innings Monday against the Angels. The swarthy left-hander put together an uncharacteristically good 7 IP/6 H/4 R/3 ER/2 HR/2 BB/9 K start against Tampa Bay on May 11th. Otherwise, the Rays have owned Sabathia, slashing a combined .293 BA/.352 OBP/.557 SLG/.909 OPS lined. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, HR, RBI), Asdrubal Cabrera (5-14, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (6-12, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (24-61, 8 2B, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 13 BB), Grady Sizemore (3-10, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (1-2, BB).

Noteworthiness

— Each team should receive a boost to their lineup as James Loney and Jacoby Ellsbury are expected to return following their respective five-and six-week absences. On the subject of Loney’s return, Rays manager Kevin Cash said,

We’re excited to have him back. To be able to plug our first baseman that we anticipated being with us all year back in the lineup, that’ll help.

Loney is hitting .275 on the season for Tampa Bay, who just optioned 1B Marc Krauss to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

— Tampa Bay is 21-12 away from Tropicana Field.

— The Rays have traded numbers three and four international slots to the Atlanta Braves for RHP Garrett Fulenchek, who will pitch for the Advanced Rookie-level Princeton Rays. Fulenchek, who was the Braves second round draft pick in 2014, signed for $1M bonus. Tampa Bay got him for international slot money that they are limited in spending.

— Carlos Beltran is considered day-to-day after incurring a ribcage injury.

— Brett Gardner is in the midst of a hot streak, going 18-for-39 (.462) with nine runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak.

Breaking Down Matt Moore’s Return to the Mound

Matt Moore pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

14 months after going under the knife, Tampa Bay Rays’ LHP Matt Moore made his return to the mound Thursday against Cleveland. Moore put together an outing flush with a successful beginning and rough ending, resulting in a 4.2 IP/6 H/4 ER/2 BB/4 K on slash line on 81 pitches (53 strikes).

Moore started out strong, throwing an efficient 10-pitch (nine strikes) 1-2-3 first inning while fanning one (Michael Brantley, swinging). And though he began with three hitless innings, Moore stumbled in the fourth after Jason Kipnis blooped a single into shallow left-field that dropped in between Asdrubal Cabrera, Joey Butler, and Kevin Kiermaier as they converged. Moore then tossed two wild pitches in the inning, and gave up a run on a Michael Brantley sacrifice-fly.

Moore came undone in the fifth with Cleveland’s two-out rally. Giovanny Urshela singled, and Moore walked Mike Aviles. Three consecutive singles and a wild pitch later, Cleveland took a 4-2 lead and Moore was pulled in favor of Steve Geltz.

Brooksbaseball-Chart — Matt Moore player card. (Credit: *Brooks Baseball*)

Matt Moore July 2, 2015 velocity chart. (Credit: *Brooks Baseball*)

Stuff-wise, Moore’s repertoire featured a fastball (54 thrown, 40 strikes, 7 whiffs) that hovered around 90 mph and touched 94 — about two mph slower than his 2013 season — an 84 mph change-up (16 thrown, 1 whiff), and an 80 mph curveball (11 thrown, 6 strikes, 2 whiffs). Lumped in with those fastballs were 21 cutters — which he threw more than any other pitch, 14 two-seamers, and 19 four-seamers.

Ian Malinowski (DRaysBay) created a movement and velocity chart of Moore’s stuff, which you can see below.

Matt Moore movement and velocity chart (Credit: Ian Malinowski/DRaysBay) — Matt Moore movement and velocity chart. (Credit: Ian Malinowski/*DRaysBay*)

All told, Moore put together an outing that most would expect, after he sat out the better part of a season and a half — an outing that was a rusty in spots, yet featuring moments of potential.

The lefty spoke about that very subject after the game, saying,

I have to be better than four singles and a walk. I’ve got to be able to get out of that inning. Any time we can put up two like that, especially against a guy like Corey Kluber, you can’t squander that. It was a tough, in-game type of adjustment, but I’ve got to be better than that right there in that moment.

At the end of the day, I wanted to be able to look at myself and know that I went out there and competed and didn’t leave anything out there on the table. I feel like that’s what me and Rene did for our first time throwing together.

It will be particularly interesting to see how he progresses as his arm gains strength, and he pitches himself back into shape. For now, let’s be thankful that the All-Star left-hander is back, and hope for more of the Moore we saw in innings one through three this afternoon.

Noteworthiness

— The team optioned Preston Guilmet back to Triple-A Durham after the game, and reinstated 1B James Loney from the disabled list.

The New What Next: Matt Moore Set to Take the Mound, Etc

After 14 long months, Matt Moore is ready to make his long awaited return to the mound this afternoon at the Trop.

For the first time in 14 long months, left-hander Matt Moore will take the mound on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Moore, who worked his way back from Tommy John Surgery back on April 22, 2014, last started on April 7, 2014 against the Kansas City Royals. He became one of 26 pitchers to undergo the procedure in 2014.

I’m anxious and excited and all those types of things, Moore told the media. I feel ready to go. It was tough (to miss that much time). It feels like a long time coming, but there are a lot of good feelings right now.

He’ll oppose Corey Kluber (3-9, 3.66 ERA), who will make his second start of the season against the Rays after allowing three runs in seven innings in a loss on June 20. Kluber is is 1-5 with a 4.00 ERA in nine starts away from Progressive Field this season.

The Indians, again, flirted with a no hitter on Wednesday night before Joey Butler’s ninth inning single to break it up. In the series opener, Cody Anderson retired the first 19 batters he faced, and Danny Salazar was perfect through five innings on Tuesday, not allowing a hit until Curt Casali’s two-out double in the sixth inning.

Tampa Bay (42-38) now has dropped four straight games, and eight of their last ten. The latest loss dropped the Rays a game behind Baltimore in the AL East.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said last night, that he doesn’t anticipate any hangover today from the near no-hitter:

They’ll come in. They’ll be ready to play. We have a lot of guys that are itching to get out of this little bit of funk and I think we all have plenty of confidence that they’ll do that.

You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/2/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Butler LF
Longoria 3B
Sizemore DH
Forsythe 2B
Cabrera SS
Guyer RF
Elmore 1B
Rivera C
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

— In four career starts against Cleveland, Moore is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA, and is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in the two starts he has faced them at Tropicana Field.

— Evan Longoria is 4-10 against Kluber in 11 plate appearances, including a three-run home run in their last meeting on June 20.

— Kluber is 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in four career starts against the Rays.

— Rays hitters are 6-85 (.071) in their last three games (all vs. Cleveland).

— Marc Krauss was optioned to Durham to make room on the roster for Matt Moore. That should also signal that James Loney is set to make his presumed return this weekend. Krauss struck out twice on Wednesday and was batting .133 since being acquired from the Angels organization.

— Injury Report… Jake Odorizzi made his first — and perhaps only — rehab start for the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Wednesday. Odorizzi allowed just one run off two hits and a walk in four innings — averaging under 14 pitches per inning.

I feel like the stuff I had today, I could have taken into today’s (Rays) game and been perfectly fine, Odorizzi told Charlotte Sun reporter Josh Vitale.

James Loney started at first base for Port Charlotte, going 2-3 on the night. Rays manager Kevin Cash said Loney will be reevaluated today, and could return to the Rays’ lineup this weekend. John Jaso played DH for the Stone Crabs and went 2-5 with a double.

— If I may, Cash let Alex Colome throw seven innings of five run ball, yet he shut Erasmo Ramirez down after he allowed just one run in 5-2/3 innings and 84 pitches. How does that make sense?

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Erasmo Good, Rays’ Offense Bad

Erasmo Ramirez pitches in the first inning on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

While Erasmo Ramirez was strong in his return to the rotation on Tuesday, Danny Salazar was stronger. The Tampa Bay Rays’ anemic offense couldn’t touch the Indians’ righty until sixth inning, and the bullpen collapsed for the second consecutive night en route to a 6-2 loss. The Rays have now dropped three straight games and seven of nine, falling to 42-37 on the season. Even still, Tampa Bay finds itself in a virtual tie for first thanks to losses by New York, Baltimore, and Toronto.

Ramirez, who hadn’t taken the mound 10 days because of a groin strain, kept his team within striking distance early. Erasmo didn’t allow a hit through the front 3-2/3 innings when Jason Kipnis’ popped a two-out homer to right. It was one of only two hits (four base runners total) Ramirez allowed in his 5-2/3 inning return to the mound. From there, the righty sat down seven consecutive batters before allowing a leadoff single in the sixth inning to Michael Bourn, who was caught stealing by Curt Casali. Ramirez was able to incur some revenge on Kipnis by striking him out, but his night was done after he walked Francisco Lindor in the next plate appearance. The smiley one fanned seven and walked one, exiting the game with 84 pitches under his belt (54 strikes).

Ramirez didn’t question manager Kevin Cash’s decision to pull him from the game, although he did seem a bit confused by the timing:

Maybe they were thinking of putting some limits on my pitch count and just, I don’t know, every time they ask me about if I want to go out, I’m just gonna say yes, because I was feeling good and I just want to go deep in the game. Just one mistake to a great hitter, he made me pay for that, but I just take everything overall. I feel good, good to be back to the mound.

Xavier Cedeno got the final batter in the sixth and the first of the seventh. The LOOGY was lifted for Steve Geltz, and the Indians blew the doors open from that point on.

Geltz allowed multiple runs in an outing for only the second time this season and the first time since May 3. Carlos Santana singled up the middle, but Yan Gomes followed by lining out to center. Yet Brandon Moss worked a four-pitch walk before Giovanny Urshela hit a first pitch, three-run homer into the front row in left for a four run advantage. David Murphy further opened the lead in the eighth by hitting a two-run homer to right off Kirby Yates.

Meanwhile the Rays were in the midst of perfection (for the third time in less than seven days) until Salazar walked Asdrubal Cabrera walked to open the sixth. Jake Elmore wiped out the lead runner when he grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, however. Curt Casali broke up the no-no bid with a double to left center, before Kevin Kiermaier flew out to end the inning.

Still Salazar was excellent, and the Rays weren’t able to put a crooked number on the board until the eighth inning, although Cleveland opened up a commanding lead by that time. Cabrera doubled in Logan Forsythe, who led off the inning with a walk, and Cabrera later scored on a two-out throwing error by Lindor.

Citing the need to keep the bullpen fresh, the Rays made a handful of roster moves following the game, optioning Kirby Yates back to Triple-A Durham, and designating Ronald Belisario for assignment. The team corresponded by recalling Preston Guilmet and CJ Riefenhauser.

The New What Next

Alex Colome (3-3, 4.50) will make his 13th start of the season on Wednesday against right-hander Carlos Carrasco (9-6, 4.16 ERA). The Rays have lost each of Colome’s last seven starts, yet they are 18-7 with someone other than El Coballo on the bump. Colome has yielded multiple walks in each of his last seven starts. Over his past seven starts, Carrasco has gone 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, accruing 46 punch-outs in 45-1/3 innings. He is aiming to become the Indians’ first 10-game winner this year. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/1/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Butler LF
Longoria 3B
DeJesus DH
Forsythe 2B
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Krauss 1B
Casali C
Colome RHP

Noteworthiness

— Cash addressed the most recent roster moves and the teams offensive struggles:

— Steven Souza Jr., who took a big share of blame for the team’s woes, is in the throes of an 0-for-20 slump with 10 strikeouts.

I feel like a lot of the responsibility falls on me, Souza told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). It’s been unacceptable the way I’ve been at the dish right now. A lot of guys are doing a lot of great things and it just seems like I’m not coming through in situations and that’s on me. I’m going to try and work from here. I’m going to get better, I can promise that.

Cash said the problem is multi-faceted and related to timing:

He’s being a little tentative early in the count and then obviously expanding late. Just pitch selection.

— James Loney went 1-4 as the DH in the first game of his rehab assignment with Charlotte and will play again Wednesday night. Andrew Bellatti allowed two hits in two innings of work, throwing only 16 pitches. John Jaso went 0-3 in this, his third rehab game.

Rays Roster Moves: Tampa Bay Signs First Round Draft Pick, Garrett Whitley

That moment your number one draft pick signs on the dotted line. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Tampa Bay Rays have signed top draft pick OF Garrett Whitley.

Chosen as the number 13 pick overall, Whitley will join the Gulf Coast League team in Port Charlotte. He has a slot value of $2,962,100.

In a press release on the signing, Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison spoke highly of Whitely, saying:

Garrett has all the tools we look for in a young prospect, both physically and mentally. He has the tools to play center field and hit in the middle of a lineup, and has the potential to impact the game with his legs, bat and glove. On top of that, Garrett is an intelligent young man with a great mental foundation for playing our game. We are very excited to welcome him to the organization and get him started on his professional journey.

The outfielder slashed .351 BA/.479 OBP/3 HR/13 RBI/24 R in his senior year, while going 15-15 in steal the steal department in 20 games. He previously signed a national letter of intent to play at Wake Forest.

The team also inked deals with thei number 12 draft pick OF David Olmedo-Barrera and number 15 RHP Ethan Clark.