After winning the first two games of the set against the Mets, the Tampa Bay Rays look for a series sweep this afternoon at the Trop. At 22-19 on the season, the Rays can move to four games over .500 for the first time this season. They also can clinch their first winning homestand of the season after going 3-4 and 4-6 at home.
Tampa Bay scored 12 runs yesterday on the back of eight doubles. It was the first time the Rays scored that many runs without the benefit of a home run since 2009. They also collected a season-high eight hits with runners in scoring position — going 8-for-18 (.444 BA) wRISP while scoring four two-out runs.
Ji-Man Choi (meniscus surgery) is expected to make his 2021 debut this afternoon. Choi was activated prior to Saturday’s contest. You can read more about the roster moves that led to Choi’s activation at the link below.
The New What Next
Josh Fleming (2-3, 2.73 ERA), not Ryan Yarbrough, will get the start for the Rays this afternoon, pitching opposite of Marcus Stroman (3-3, 2.01 ERA).
Josh Fleming allowed a run across four innings against the Yankees behind Luis Patiño. Fleming has allowed three runs or fewer in all six of his outings this season. The southpaw has posted a 2.73 ERA across 29-2/3 total innings pitched.
Marcus Stroman allowed one run on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across 6-1/3 innings against the Orioles. Stroman found himself in a pitcher’s duel with John Means while blanking the Orioles over the first six frames. Yet, he found himself in trouble early in the seventh inning after loading the bases. He was pulled from the game, and the relief corps allowed one of his baserunners to score, charging him with the run. Stroman has now collected 19 strikeouts over his last 16-1/3 innings while compiling a 2.01 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the season. He relies primarily on his 93 mph sinker with heavy sinking action and an 86 mph slider that sweeps across the zone, while also mixing in a 91 mph cutter that induces a lot of swings and misses, and a firm 88 mph splitter. Stroman is 5-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 14 career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (3-4, RBI), Brandon Lowe (1-4, RBI, BB), Manuel Margot (1-2), Kevan Smith (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Joey Wendle (2-3), Mike Zunino (1-3, HR, 2 RBI)
You can read about the series in our preview (although you might want to forgo the part about Ryan Yarbrough), while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
Rays 5/16/21 Starting Lineup
- Arozarena LF
- Meadows DH
- Choi 1B
- B. Lowe 2B
- Margot RF
- Wendle 3B
- Mejía C
- Adames SS
- Phillips CF
- Fleming LHP
Noteworthiness
— Michael Wacha will throw another bullpen on Sunday as he recovers from a tight hamstring. He could be activated if all goes well.
— The Rays have activated C Francisco Mejía from the 10-day Injured List and designated C Kevan Smith for assignment. Both Choi and Mejía appear in the lineup today hitting third and seventh respectively.