The New What Next: Rays vs. White Sox — A Series Preview

Alex Colome delivers in the first inning a baseball game on Thursday. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Alex Colome delivers in the first inning a baseball game on Thursday. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox are set to begin a three-game set at Tropicana Field on Friday.

Tampa Bay looks for a win after dropping the series finale (and the series, if you want to get technical) to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. However, they have won five of  their last eight games. The Rays offense continues to ebb — the team has scored a total of eight runs in their last three games, and three runs or fewer in six of their last seven games. Tampa Bay’s success is due, in part, to a pitching staff that has allowed two runs or fewer in half of their 61 games. However, Evan Longoria and company have split the last six games when scoring three runs or fewer. The Rays have lost seven of their last eight home games.

Like Tampa Bay, the White Sox have won five of their last eight games, while scoring an anemic 11 runs in their last three games. Yet the south-siders have plated four or more runs in five of their last eight games, and are winners of four of their last five games when scoring more than three runs.

With Chris Sale getting the nod on Sunday, the Rays will have to pounce on any opportunities handed to them by John Danks (on Friday), and Jeff Samardzija (on Saturday) — a feat that is not out of the realm of possibility. Danks (3-5, 5.17 ERA, 4.76 ERA) is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA in his career against the Rays, while Samardzija (4-4, 4.93 ERA, 3.99 FIP) certainly isn’t the highly sought after pitcher from 2014.

Tampa Bay is 1-4 in the last five meetings with the ChiSox.

Rays and White Sox series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and White Sox series starters over the last 14 days.

Rays and White Sox offensive numbers over the last 14 days.
Rays and White Sox offensive numbers over the last 14 days.

Rays and White Sox by the numbers.
Rays and White Sox by the numbers.
John Danks: Danks imploded Saturday against the Tigers, relinquishing 11 hits in 4-2/3 innings and allowing five runs. This came after a complete-game shutout of the Astros. The 30 year-old lefty was a solid mid-rotation starter at one point, yet — due to a shoulder injury — his stuff isn’t as strong. Danks’ fastball velocity rarely breaks 90 mph, and when he makes a mistake, hitters pounce. His home run rate has been on the increase the last few years, and that probably isn’t going to change anytime soon. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (11-39, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), David DeJesus (9-25, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Nick Franklin (1-4), Brandon Guyer (1-3), Rene Rivera (1-3, 2B).

Jeff Samardzija: Per Rotowire, Samardzija allowed six runs on 10 hits in 7-1/3 innings against the Tigers on Sunday to fall to 4-4 on the season. The 30 year-old lefty has spent much of his career as a pitcher with a considerable amount of hype, but only so-so result — a career 3.91 ERA and 3.74 FIP speaks to that. Samardzija hasn’t thrown his inside fastball to right-handed batters as frequently, resulting in a gaudy .297 BA/.323 OBP/.505 SLG/.828 OPS line (up from .228 BA/.272 OBP/.359 SLG/.631 OPS last season). His strikeout rate is 17.5% against righties, down from 22.1% last season (22.3% for his career). Moreover, his four-seamer and sinker have become fairly hittable, although both pitches are whiffy. When his fastball is working, it can be effective. But when he misses, hitters make him pay. Key matchups: Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 3B, RBI), Evan Longoria (1-3, HR, RBI).

Chris Sale: Per Rotowire, Sale (6-2) struck out a season-high 14 while holding the Astros to a run on five hits and a walk over eight innings in Monday’s 3-1 victory. I think we all can agree that the 26 year-old lefty is pretty damn good. To keep things simple, Sale’s four-seamer, slider, and change-up are fantastic, and generate a lot of whiffs. Gulp, he also has a pretty good sinker and boasts a lot of deception thanks to his almost submarine arm angle.

Chris Sale's 2015 whiff rates. (Credit: Brooks Baseball)
Chris Sale’s 2015 whiff rates. (Credit: Brooks Baseball)
Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (8-32, 4 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB), Jake Elmore (1-3).

Noteworthiness

— Rays manager Kevin Cash made a number of roster moves following Thursday night’s contest.

Andrew Bellatti has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to shoulder inflammation. Cash opted to recall RHP Matt Andriese, who will start in the series opener on Friday, and southpaws C.J. Riefenhauser and Enny Romero, who will join the bullpen. Note: Romero was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, but but he was recalled because Bellatti went on the DL.

In making the roster moves, Preston Guilmet was optioned back to Durham, and because the team needed another open spot on the roster, Bobby Wilson was designated for assignment.

Given the shape of where our pitching staff is at, his roster spot has kind of come into play where we need the pitching, Cash told the media after the game.

Tampa Bay will go into the series with the ChiSox with just one catcher, Rene Rivera, though utility man Jake Elmore will serve as the backup. Curt Casali is expected to be activated on Saturday.

Andriese was to pitch for the Durham Bulls on Friday. The righty had two other stints with the Rays this season, going 0-1, 4.79 with two saves in seven games (three starts). As for Bellatti, he told the Times that the soreness in his shoulder developed Tuesday while playing catch. The righty is optamistic that he can return in two weeks, hoping he can resume throwing on Sunday.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Bounce Back 4-2, Moore’s Return Date Loosely Set, Etc.

Kevin Kiermaier makes a diving catch on a liner by Albert Pujols during the eighth inning on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Kevin Kiermaier makes a diving catch on a liner by Albert Pujols during the eighth inning on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Evan Longoria, starting for the first time in four games, gave the Tampa Bay Rays the go ahead lead with a fourth inning solo shot on Wednesday, in the 4-2 win over the Angels. Tampa Bay is again four games over .500 and just 1-1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.


Source: FanGraphs

Looking for his fifth victory of the year, Erasmo Ramirez got the start and plowed through the Angels’ lineup in the first two frames, putting down the front six batters on 11 pitches. Yet, with the Rays up by a pair, Ramirez allowed a bad-hop single to CJ Cron to lead off the third. Rookie Kyle Kubitza followed with a liner to right-center, moving Cron to second. The right-handed hurler was able to get Johnny Giovatella fly out to deep center, although Cron tagged and advanced 90 feet. Ramirez wasn’t out of the woods yet.

Erick Aybar joined in on the Angels’ fun and plated the first run for Anaheim on a single to right. Erasmo caught a break on the play when Kubitza was thrown out trying to advance to third. Nevertheless Aybar was able to move to second, and came home to tie the score on a single by Subway spokesperson, Mike Trout.

Ramirez bent but he didn’t break — the hurler was able to put a pair of goose eggs on the board in the fourth and fifth innings, before the decision was made to rely upon the bullpen for the rest of the contest. In the end, Erasmo put together a serviceable, albeit short, five inning outing on 78 pitches (50 strikes, 64% K%).

Steve Geltz worked a perfect sixth, finishing with a pair of strikeouts of Cole Kalhoun and Carlos Perez (both swinging). Kevin Jepsen worked around a pair of two-out base runners in the seventh, but got Erick Aybar to end the uprising by forcing a ground ball out to second. Brad Boxberger, making his first appearance after a bout of triceps tightness, also retired the side in order in the eighth, punctuated by a Trout strikeout (swinging) and a diving catch by Kevin Kiermaier in centerfield on an Albert Pujols liner.

Jake McGee then worked the ninth and allowed only a two-out single to earn his first save of the season. Someone I sat next to at the game questioned if/when McGee’s velocity would return. Well my friend, his fastball hit 97 multiple times, and 98 once. I’d say it has returned.

Offensively speaking, the Rays took the lead in the second inning after Asdrubal Cabrera singled and Nick Franklin walked. Though Rene Rivera popped out to second, Kiermaier hit an RBI ground ball single to right and then moved to second on a throw to third when the Angels tried to get Franklin. Joey Butler grounded to third, but rather than throwing to first to get Butler, you know…the obvious two out play, Kubitza saw Kiermaier running toward him. Kiermaier started to head back to second base, giving Franklin the opportunity to score the second run of the inning.

Longoria gave the Rays a unrelinquishabpe lead after the Angels tied the game in the top of the third with a home run to left-center (his sixth of the season) on a first pitch fastball from Jered Weaver.

Weaver went into lockdown mode from there, only allowing a runner into scoring position in the fourth and eighth innings. The tall, soft tossing RHP departed after a two-out double in the eighth by Steven Souza Jr. Tampa Bay pounced on the scoring opportunity added an insurance run when Asdrubal Cabrera hit a ground rule double over the right-center field wall against reliever Fernando Salas. Cabrera ended the night by going 2-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI.

The New What Next

Alex Colome (3-2, 4.54 ERA) will make his fifth consecutive start against an AL West opponent on Thursday, opposite of Garrett Richards (5-4, 4.14 ERA). In his four previous starts versus the West, Colome is 1-1 with a 3.22 ERA. He did take a loss on June 1st against Anaheim when he allowed five runs —off three home runs — in six innings. Richards is coming off his poorest start of the season, allowing six earned runs in an 8-2 loss against the Yankees. Richards allowed three earned runs in six innings in a recent 7-3 Angels’ victory against the Rays. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/11/15 Starting Lineup

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

Noteowrthiness

— Everyone in the lineup reached base at least once. Moreover, everyone but Rene Rivera collected a hit.

— The team indicated that Desmond Jennings will be out up to eight more weeks after having successful surgery on his left knee on Wednesday.

— Matt Moore is scheduled for two more rehab starts which could see him rejoin the starting rotation as soon as June 26.

On the other hand, based on how those starts go — Monday for the Charlotte Stone Crabs and June 20 for the Durham Bulls — the team could decide on another rehab start or two.

I don’t know what’s going to go into that decision, Moore told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). But I think it will be a lot better to make it when we get closer to that time.

— The Rays have allowed two runs or fewer in half of their first 60 games – the most by an AL team in the DH era (since 1973).
— Topkin listed the Rays 40 draft picks (seen below):

Round/Player/School

1. OF Garrett Whitley Niskayuna (N.Y). HS
2. C Chris Betts Wilson (Long Beach, Calif) HS
3. 2B Brandon Lowe Maryland
4. RHP Brandon Koch Dallas Baptist University
5. OF Joe McCarthy University of Virginia
6. RHP Benton Moss University of North Carolina
7. 2B Jake Cronenworth University of Michigan
8. RHP Reece Karalus Santa Clara University
9. C Danny De La Calle FSU
10. RHP Sam Triece Washington State
11. RHP Ian Gibaut Tulane
12. OF David Olmedo-Barrera Cal-State Fullerton
13. RHP Nichola Padilla Grayson County (Texas) College
14. RHP Tyler Brashears University of Hawaii
15. RHP Ethan Clark Crowder (Mo.) College
16. RHP Joe Davis Bowie (Texas) HS
17. 2B Brett Sullivan University of Pacific
18. CF Landon Cray University of Seattle
19. LHP Porter Clayton Dixie (Utah) State
20. RHP Edrick Agosto No school
21. 3B Matt Dacey Richmond
22. RHP Justin Marsden Mountainview (Wash.) HS
23. RHP Reign Letkeman Big Bend (Wash.) CC
24. RHP Jesus Ortiz Munoz (Puerto Rico) HS
25. 1B Devin Davis Valencia (Calif.) HS
26. RHP Noel Rodriguez Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
27. C Joey Bart Buford (Ga.) HS
28. CF Desmond Chumley Longview (Texas) HS
29. 1B Shane Potter La Costa (Calif) HS
30. SS Kyle Teaf USF
31. RHP Timothy Ingram SUNY-Westbury
32. RHP Ty Jackson Lewis-Clark (Idaho) State
33. RHP Colin Chapman Lamar (Texas) University
34. CF Ryan Caldwell Harding Christian (Tenn.) HS
35. 2B Blake Butera Boston College
36. RHP Bryan Bonnell UNLV
37. OF Kewby Meyer Nevada Reno
38. 1B Steven Sensley Louisiana State-Eunice
39. CF Tyler Rand Langham Creek (Texas) HS
40. LF Kahiau Winchester Iolani (Hawaii) HS

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Fall 8-2, Updates on Odorizzi and Moore

Subway spokesperson Mike Trout scores in front of Rene Rivera. (Photo Credit: Mark O’Meara/AP Photos)
Death by 1,000 cuts.

The Tampa Bay Rays opened an eight-game home-stand on Tuesday with an ugly 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Rays have dropped their last six home games, all to AL West teams (Oakland, Seattle, Anaheim), after playing incredibly well against teams from that division away from the Trop. The Rays start the day 2-1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

Los Angeles scored in four of their first six at-bats against Nathan Karns, who didn’t have his best stuff — especially early on. Karns allowed two early runs with two outs, when he couldn’t get the final strike to end the first inning. Kole Calhoun hit an RBI double that scored Erick Aybar from second, scoring the first run.

The Rays went without Evan Longoria in the lineup for a third consecutive game and it showed defensively in the first inning.

David Freese hit a liner to short that forced Asdrubal Cabrera to make a leaping play and throw to Nick Franklin, who was making his third career start at first base in place of James Loney. Franklin allowed Cabrera’s throw to glance off his glove, keeping the rally alive.

I just stretched out as far as I could, Franklin said after the game. Literally right off the tip of the glove.

Karns allowed a free pass to former Ray Matt Joyce on four pitches, and Carlos Perez followed by hitting a bullet to Jake Elmore at third. Elmore dropped the ball, allowing another run to score.

Karns buckled down and put away six consecutive batters before Albert Pujols started another rally in the third with a leadoff double. Freese followed two batters later with an RBI bloop double, scoring Pujols. Freeze was able to move to third on a throwing error by Franklin. Yet Karns limited the damage by striking out Joyce and forcing a fly-ball out from Perez.

Albert Pujols single handily extended the Angels’ lead in the fifth on an opposite field homer — his 536th of career home run, tying him with Mickey Mantle for 16th on the all-time list.

Karns conceded that he didn’t have his best stuff:

The starter got the axe with a pair of runners on the base paths and two outs in the sixth inning, after throwing 106 pitches. Tasked with getting just one more out Enny Romero — who entered the game in relief of Karns — allowed a single to Kole Calhoun to give Anaheim a 5-0 advantage.

The Angels put the game away against Romero, collecting five consecutive hits, and plating three more runs to cap the scoring. The Rays optioned Romero back to Durham after the game, corresponding by recalling RHP Preston Guilmet from the Durham Bulls.

Tampa Bay were able to get on the board in the sixth inning against Matt Shoemaker, who started the game by putting away the first 11 batters. Rene Rivera doubled to left with one out, then moved to third on Kevin Kiermaier’s base-hit to left. Both runners scored on a gapper to left-center by Joey Butler. Yet the Rays were unable to collect another hit that inning.

Despite putting two runners on base in the seventh, Fernando Salas entered the game in relief of Shoemaker and fanned Franklin and pinch-hitter Evan Longoria to end the threat.

After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash told the media that he was satisfied with Karns battling into the sixth inning:

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez (4-2, 5.10 ERA) will take the hill opposite of Jered Weaver (4-5, 4.60 ERA) tonight. Ramirez has won four of his last five outings, owner of a .179 BA/.259 OBP/.269 SLG/.528 OPS slash line in that span. In his five previous appearances against Anaheim, the smiley guy is 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA. The 32 year-old Weaver struggled mightily in his most recent start, surrendering seven earned runs on nine hits — including three home runs — in 5-2/3 innings against the Yankees last Friday. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/10/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
Longoria 3B
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Franklin 1B
Rivera C
Ramirez RHP

Noteworthiness

— As we reported yesterday, RHP Jake Odorizzi was diagnosed with a mild-to-moderate left oblique strain on Tuesday. And though the prognosis is less than operable, it is actually better than it could have been.

Probably the best possible news I could have gotten, Odorizzi was quoted as saying.

Odorizzi iss expected to rest and ice his side for the next few days before playing catch later this week. While the timetable for his return is uncertain, this injury is less severe than the one that sidelined  Alex Cobb for 5-½ weeks last season.

Cash set part of the upcoming rotation, with RHP Alex Colome starting Thursday, and RHP Chris Archer pitching Saturday on an extra day’s rest. Friday’s starter is to be determined, depending on how the Rays use their bullpen in the coming days.

— Matt Moore is getting closer! Moore said he felt good after his second rehab start with the Class-A Stone Crabs. Two-thirds of his scheduled 65 pitches (42) came in the first two innings last night, but he settled down and retired the last six batters. He allowed just three hits and a walk while fanning four in four innings of work (64 pitches).

I really do feel better about the whole thing because we did get through that many innings, Moore said. That many up and downs, that’s new to me right now, so to not be in any kind of discomfort or still be able to feel the same first through four, I’m very happy with that.

Moore, who is scheduled to start again next Monday for Charlotte on regular rest, said his velocity was from 90-93 mph. When asked by Marc Topkin “if there was more to come?” the lefty responded, “I hope so.”

— Topkin also wrote that OF Desmond Jennings had surgery on his left knee in Colorado. The issue that caused him so much pain was a thickening of tissue around his knee. It’s unclear when he will return.

Rays 6/9/15 Starting Lineup, Jake Odorizzi Placed on the DL, Rays Draft Picks, Etc

(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Times)
(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Times)

Rays 6/9/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Cabrera SS
Elmore 3B
Franklin 1B
Rivera C
Karns RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Tampa Bay Rays made the unfortunate news official, RHP Jake Odorizzi has been placed on the 15-day DL with a mild-to-moderate strained left oblique. The team corresponded by recalling RHP Andrew Bellatti from Triple-A Durham. Per pitching coach Jim Hickey, who initially broke the news story this morning on MLB Network Radio, Odorizzi is expected to miss at least a few weeks after sustaining the injury in Friday night’s game against the Mariners. The righty hopes to play catch later this week, though it’s unclear when he’ll be back on the mound.

Whether Bellatti or Enny Romero takes Odorizzi’s spot in the rotation is unknown at the moment.

— Third baseman Evan Longoria (sore wrist) is out of the lineup for the third consecutive game; he hoped to return after missing games on Saturday and Sunday. Longoria said he tested his wrist in the batting cage, and the decision was to give him one more day rest. He remains confident it’s nothing serious, in fact Longoria said he’s available off the bench tonight and should return to the lineup tomorrow.

Asdrubal Cabrera is back in the lineup, after sitting out Sunday with a hyperextended elbow, hitting seventh behind Jake Elmore, who is again filling in for Longoria at third base.

— With first day of the MLB first year player draft in the books, the Tampa Bay Rays picked up two players last night; Outfielder Garrett Whitley, and Catcher Chris Betts. Below are some thoughts (albethem incomplete thoughts) on Whitley and Betts. We’ll follow tomorrow with a piece on the players Tampa Bay snagged today. Until then, be sure to follow our Tumblr for draft updates.

CF Garrett Whitley, New York H.S. (18 Y.O. 6’1 195, R/R- committed to Wake Forest)

Per Scott Grauer (DRaysBay),

Best tool: Whitley is a plus runner, maybe better.

Analysis: Whitley has the potential for four above-average or better tools. His bat speed is top of the line, and his approach is advanced compared to his peers. He covers ground in center field and should be able to handle the position as a professional. His arm is below average.

Stock: Toolsy players from the northeast typically give teams pause in the first round, but Whitley’s performance on the showcase circuit has removed some of the uncertainty.

Per Christopher Crawford (Baseball Prospectus),

The right-handed hitting outfielder has plus-plus speed and is a lock for center field. While there’s a lot of work to be done with the approach, he’s also got above-average to plus hit and power tools. He likely fell because of the northeast bias, but I think we’ve seen that guys from the northeast can do alright. Whitley isn’t as talented as that one guy from New Jersey, but the upside is as good as any prep player not named Brendan Rodgers.

Per Ben Badler (Baseball America),

Garrett Whitley was the No. 7 prospect on the BA 500. Rays got him at No. 13. Plus tools with pitch recognition? That’s a good recipe.

There doesn’t seem to be a signability concern with Whitley, as he told Topkin he’s ready to move into his pro career:

Matt Silverman was also interviewed about the draft choice. Interestingly enough, Silverman spoke to the reasoning why the team didn’t target a pitcher who could develop quickly after being faced with depleted pitching depth in the farm system:

Chris Archer extended a message of congratulations to Whitley via Twitter:

Catcher Chris Betts, Wilson High School, Long Beach, California. The Rays were pleasantly surprised to get Betts, who was ranked 28th overall by Baseball America. He was expected to draft much higher, however, a forearm strain limited him to DH duties during his senior season. That he is still being rehabbed may have been a factor. Betts boasts left-handed power, hitting .471 with 8 homers and 28 RBI in 68 at-bats and a strong arm (though the forearm strain limited his throwing during his senior season). Rays scouting director RJ Harrison said the team was confident his injury is just a strain void of any structural damage. The plan, once he is signed, is to continue his rehab in Port Charlotte. Harrison also spoke about his big arm, also noting his ability to play anywhere on the field thanks to his bat: Per ESPN,

Betts doesn’t have the “wow” skills of (Tyler) Stephenson but is a more advanced hitter and receiver now, earning comps to Brian McCann as an offense-first backstop who projects to have enough defensive value to stay at the position.

Per Baseball America,

He features good size for a catcher, improving receiving ability after an offseason spent working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, and plus raw arm strength. (…) He may hit enough for the bat to play at first base if catching doesn’t work out, but he has intangibles and arm strength to catch and has star potential if he can stay at the position.

Per Eric Longenhagen (ESPN),

Rays having a solid draft, add Chris Betts who I think will catch and hit enough to play even if he doesn’t.

Per Danny Russell (DRaysBay),

He was anticipated to be an expensive signing, all things considered, but the player might not only be motivated to simply get pen to paper and move on to professional rehab, but excited as well.

— Don’t forget to read our Rays/Angels series preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Angels, Part Deux — A Series Preview

Kevin Jepsen is congratulated by Rene Rivera after defeating the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Kevin Jepsen is congratulated by Rene Rivera after defeating the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays look to stay hot after a strong 10-game road trip when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, beginning an eight-game home stand. Tampa Bay went 7-3 on the westward trek, in which it allowed two or fewer runs seven times. The team will attempt to improve on an underwhelming 14-16 record at home.

The Rays, who took two of three from the Angels last week, are 1-1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East despite having 12 players on the disabled list. Anaheim has dropped five consecutive games, yielding 34 runs in that span, after winning five in a row while surrendering 13. Albert Pujols remained hot during the Angels’ up-and-down stretch, belting seven homers in 10 games to move into 17th place on baseball’s all-time list with 535 — one behind Mickey Mantle.

Evan Longoria, who sat out the final two games against the Mariners, went an ice cold 6-34 in his last eight games, driving in two while scoring three. Meanwhile the man to his left, Asdrubal Cabrera, was also idled Sunday with a hyperextended right elbow. He too has performed at a gelid pace over the last nine games, going 5-35 while striking out six times. To put it bluntly, even though Joey Butler is 14-35 in his last nine games, and Jake Elmore went 5-12 against the Mariners, the run producers in the Rays lineup (Longo, Cabrera, et al) need to step to the literal and proverbial plate and offer some run support to Nathan Karns, Erasmo Ramirez, and whoever is taking the mound Thursday.

It will be interesting to see if Rays manager Kevin Cash frees Karns and Ramirez from their shackles, and allows them to pitch deeper. For the former, Karns allowed four runs on five hits (two homers) over five innings last week against the Angels. That outing snapped a six-game streak in which he limited opponents to two runs or fewer. As for latter, Ramirez held his former team to one run and seven hits in 5-1/3 innings of work on Thursday. He was pulled from the game after throwing only 72 pitches (under 14 pitches per inning). As I wrote previously, it is incumbent upon the other starters to pitch deeper into games for obvious reasons.

Rays and Angels series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Angels series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Angels offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Angels offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Angels by the numbers.
Rays and Angels by the numbers.
Matt Shoemaker: Shoemaker (3-4, 5.08 ERA) has posted just one victory in his last eight starts, although he’s allowed just three runs or fewer five times in that span. The 28 year-old righty gave up three earned runs in 11 combined innings (in two wins) against Tampa Bay last season, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA. With the exception of ERA, both Shoemaker and Karns have put up similar numbers over the last 14 days. Shoemaker’s sinker/splitter mix is potent, and what he lacks in velocity is made up for with his craftiness against impatient hitters. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (1-4), David DeJesus (1-3, 2B).

Jered Weaver: Weaver (4-5, 4.60 ERA) allowed seven runs on nine hits over 5-2/3 innings on Friday night. The pummeling broke a string of five consecutive quality starts, although he did allow a good number of hard hit balls in that stretch. The 32 year-old righty works with a mid-80s fastball and relies on command and keeping hitters off balance. Thanks to his severely depleted repertoire, Weaver has been forced to become a wily veteran. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (12-40, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2BB), David DeJesus (12-46, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB), Logan Forsythe (2-6, 2B), Evan Longoria (5-17, 3 2B, 2 BB).

Garrett Richards: Richards (5-4, 4.14 ERA) lasted just 2/3 of an inning while allowing six runs on five hits against the Yankees on Saturday — this after taking a loss to the Rays on June first. The righty told the media he felt fine before entering the game Saturday, although he is showing regression from the dominant form he displayed in 2014. Richards’ K% has declined, his BB% has increased, and he’s allowed a homer in each of his last four starts after allowing just five all of last season. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, RBI), David DeJesus (2-6, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3, 2B), Rene Rivera (1-2, BB).

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are 33-26 against the Angels since 2008 (14-10 at home).

— Karns leads major-league rookies in ERA and opponents’ average (.202).

— Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash unveiled his new way to provide multiple injury updates. “Just kidding on the no further comment,” writes Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times).

 
— Desmond Jennings will have his knee scoped tomorrow in Colorado. Cash told the media that there is no new diagnosis on his knee and the scope is exploratory. The best case scenario for his return, assuming nothing new is found is three to four weeks, although Cash said that time table is not likely.

— Brad Boxberger is available to pitch writes Matt Baker (Tampa Bay Times).

— Now for more positive injury news, John Jaso took ground-balls and fly-balls at the Trop on Tuesday afternoon, and Tim Beckham tested his hamstring by taking grounders.

— Mike Trout is just 3-18 in his last five games, however, all three hits were homers.