After yesterday’s loss, Tampa Bay has dropped five straight and 21-of-their-last-24. The Rays also haven’t won a road game in over a month (since June 8 at Arizona), making for a nine-straight road loss stretch.
As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, Brad Miller’s 14th homer was the lone run yesterday. His next homer will tie the single-season club record for a shortstop, shared by Asdrubal Cabrera (2015) and Julio Lugo (2003). Miller has 31 extra-base hits, tying Lugo’s 2004 club record by a shortstop before the All-Star break. Miller has nine HR in his last 26 games played. However, his offensive numbers (which include 32 RBI and 35 runs) should be compared against his -15 DRS and -8.9 UZR — both the lowest defensive marks for Miller, at shortstop, in his career.
The New What Next
On the mound, Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.33 ERA) will toe the rubber opposite of David Price (8-6, 4.64 ERA). Odorizzi is coming off a poor start against the Angels where he gave up a pair of leads, and allowed seven runs over 5-1/3 innings. In his only other 2016 start against the Red Sox, Tampa Bay won 12-8, although the righty relinquished five runs in four-plus innings. Price has allowed 12 runs and 17 hits over 10 innings against his former team in two starts this season. In his outing, Price allowed three runs in eight innings in a hard luck loss against Texas. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 7/10/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Guyer CF
Morrison 1B
Casali C
Dickerson DH
Franklin LF
Arcia RF
Odorizzi RHP
Cubs 7/10/16 Starting Lineup
Zobrist 2B
Bryant LF
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Russell SS
Hayward RF
Baez 3B
Almora Jr. CF
Lackey RHP
You can read about today’s Cubs vs Pirates ballgame here.
Noteworthiness
— It appears the Rays have begun stretching out Matt Andriese ahead of a pending trade of a starter.
— Kevin Kiermaier will play for the Gulf Coast League Rays on Monday in Port Charlotte, the Charlotte Stone Crabs through Wednesday and Thursday, and expects to be in centerfield for the Rays on Friday. Kiermaier said previously that his broken hand feels great, although he acknowledged some wrist discomfort about two weeks ago and received a cortisone shot. He’s had no problems since.