The many moods of the Tropicana Field roof. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a 5-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays look for meatloaf — two out of three — this afternoon in the series finale.

At 20-14 on the season, Tampa Bay enters play six games above .500.

Ryan Yarbrough got the start on Saturday and allowed two hits, three free passes, and hit one of the 18 batters he faced, although he was charged with just the one run across 3.2 innings. He threw an inefficient 80 pitches (46 strikes, 58% strike rate) and struck out two. Deep counts and foul balls did Yarbrough in, yet all the damage he incurred came in the 26-pitch first inning. His .314 BABIP against also suggests there could be some bad luck at play. The southpaw was able to lower his ERA and FIP to 4.91 and 5.30 (respectively), while he’s performed to a 1.73 WHIP and a 1.14 K/BB across 11 innings.

This afternoon will be quite a challenge for the Rays. Not only have they placed Manuel Margot on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain, but they will also be facing the ever tough Alek Manoah. Ralph Garza Jr. has been recalled from Durham and will take Margot’s spot on the active roster, giving the Rays 14 pitchers and 12 position players.

The New What Next

Jeffrey Springs (1-1, 2.12 ERA) will make his second start of the season this afternoon, pitching opposite Alek Manoah (4-0, 1.75 ERA). It would appear that Corey Kluber will get an extra day of rest.

Jeffrey Springs allowed three runs on three hits over four innings against the Angels on Monday. He struck out four. Springs kept the Angels off the board for three frames before serving up a three-run shot to Jared Walsh with two outs in the fourth. Springs got the hook after 57 pitches (41 strikes, 72% strike rate), and maintains a 2.12 ERA and 2.30 FIP, with an 0.76 WHIP, and a 6.0 K/BB through 17 innings on the season.

Alek Manoah allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three in five innings on Sunday against the Guardians. Sunday’s outing marked the first time this season that Manoah didn’t record a quality start in 2022, but he was still relatively effective while tossing 95 pitches against Cleveland. The right-hander has a strong 1.75 ERA and 3.26 FIP, with a 0.89 WHIP and a 3.89 K/BB in 36 innings. He relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball and an 81 mph slider that sweeps across the zone, while also mixing in a 93 mph sinker, and a firm 87 mph changeup that has slight arm-side fade. Manoah is 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Brandon Lowe (2-7, RBI, 2 BB), Francisco Mejia (1-4, 2B), Mike Zunino (2-4, 2B)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup is below.

Rays 5/15/22 Starting Lineup

  1. B. Lowe DH
  2. Wander Franco SS
  3. Ramirez RF
  4. Choi 1B
  5. Arozarena LF
  6. Mejia C
  7. Brujan 2B
  8. Phillips CF
  9. Walls 3B