After an abysmal 11-2 loss to those Masshole Red Sox, in Boston, the Tampa Bay Rays look to get off the schneid on Tuesday with Tyler Glasnow on the mound. The loss ended an eight-game win streak at Tropicana Field north, also known as Fenway Park, extending back to 2019, as well as a stretch of 13 wins in 14 tries there. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, during that period, Tampa Bay had outscored Boston 95-48.
It has been bad news for the Rays pitching staff which not only is down two hurlers since Opening Day, Chaz Roe and Ryan Sherriff (more on that below), but they have also allowed 23 runs over the last two games after winning the first two contests where they allowed just four total runs.
Chaz Roe was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL due to a right shoulder strain that likely was suffered on Friday when he appeared in a 2/3 of an inning against the Marlins. In his outing, Roe punched out a pair of batters, both swinging, on a couple of nasty sliders with 21 and 22 inches of run, respectively. He, however, allowed a triple and a walk before he exited the ball game. The very next day, the right-hander complained of shoulder pain which did not subside on Sunday. A trip to the doctor yesterday indicated the strain, and because of it, Roe was shut down from all baseball activities for six weeks. He is expected to miss 12 weeks. All of this came after the Rays placed Sherriff on the restricted list.
Chris Mazza, who was recalled to take the place of Roe, allowed six runs on seven hits (including a home run) and a walk over 2-2/3 innings in last night’s contest … well, for lack of a better word.
Meanwhile, Kevin Kiermaier exited the ball game last night in the third inning due to left quadriceps tightness. The injury appeared to occur in the second inning as Kiermaier tried to beat out a double-play grounder. He also appeared to favor his left quad as he tracked down a double off the left-field wall in Boston’s half of the frame. It’s worth noting that left quad tightness plagued the Rays’ outfielder throughout Spring Training.
Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash said didn’t have an immediate update after the game, although the team placed Kiermaier on the 10-day IL with a left quadriceps strain on Tuesday.
Concerning. Not ideal, for sure.
— Kevin Cash
Infielder Kevin Padlo has been recalled from the taxi squad to take Kiermaier’s place on the active roster.
The New What Next
Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will get the start tonight for the Rays, pitching opposite of Martin Pérez.
Tyler Glasnow made his first-ever Opening Day start and was dominant, allowing only a first-inning, two-out infield dribbler to third off the bat of Jesus Aguilar.
Leaning heavily on his four-seam fastball (40 thrown, 24 strikes, 60% strike rate, 18% SwStr%) and his newfound cut-slider (26 thrown, 16 strikes, 62% strike rate, 19% SwStr%), Glasnow kept Miami’s over-anxious batters off-balance, limiting hard contact while coaxing seven ground outs to three fly ball outs. His fastball sat at 98 mph, although he hit the century mark on more than one occasion. And after Glasnow relinquished his lone hit, he retired his next 16 batters in a row, collecting six strikeouts overall. The right-hander threw 57 of 76 pitches for strikes (75% strike rate) and, impressively, found himself in just two three-ball counts.
Martin Pérez allowed five runs (none earned) on five hits while striking out four back on March 25 against Minnesota. He was the victim of fielding errors from Michael Chavis and Rafael Devers, although Pérez did manage to throw more strikes in this outing after he walked five during his previous start. He thrived against Tampa Bay in 2020, going 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA, however, Pérez didn’t get any wins at home last season, going 0-4 with a 5.46 ERA in six starts at Fenway. Last season, he relied primarily on an 89 mph cutter and an 84 mph circle changeup, while also mixing in a 92 mph sinker, a 93 mph four-seam fastball, and a 78 mph curveball. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-3), Michael Brosseau (4-10, 3 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Yandy Díaz (5-15, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Brandon Lowe (2-5, 2 RBI), Mike Zunino (6-22, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
You can read about the series in our preview, and I’ll post the starting lineup upon availability. Noteworthiness is also below.
Rays 4/6/21 Starting Lineup
TBA
Noteworthiness
— The Rays claimed catcher Deivy Grullón off waivers from the Reds. The placement of Roe on the 60-day IL made room on the 40-man roster for Grullón. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, the backstop hit 20 plus homers in the minors in 2018 and 2019.