Just Manny being Manny and scoring runs.

After winning the first two games of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, the Tampa Bay Rays can earn a series win tonight and get back to two games over .500 for the first time in 13 games.

The Rays have scored at least four runs in eight consecutive road games, and as Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, they are 7-1 in those contests away from Tropicana Field. They also have scored at least seven runs in the last four road games. Meanwhile, after starting the season with a +5.00 ERA, Tampa Bay has lowered its overall ERA and FIP to 4.08 and 3.58 respectively. Those numbers are even more favorable over the last 14 days, falling to a 3.70 ERA and a 3.73 FIP. Over that stretch, the Rays pitching staff has allowed three runs or fewer nine times.

Unlike the Angels, who have played incredibly sloppy baseball the last two nights, the Rays played another error-free contest and have made just 10 miscues in the first 31 games — the fewest in the American League. Contrast that with the Angels, who erred four times last night, and lead the big leagues with 29 errors.

The New What Next

Andrew Kittredge (3-0, 1.54 ERA) will open for the Rays tonight ahead of Ryan Yarbrough (1-3, 4.86 ERA). They’ll pitch opposite of (1-0, 3.29 ERA).

Andrew Kittredge will open for the second time this season. In his first outing, Kittredge allowed a Giancarlo Stanton solo homer in 1-2/3 innings on April 18th. Overall, the right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA/3.88 FIP across 11-2/3 innings on the season.

Ryan Yarbrough gave up five runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings against the Astros on 103 pitches (71 strikes, 69% strike rate). He struck out five. The lefty wasn’t particularly effective, allowing runs to cross the plate in the first, third, and fourth innings. Yarbrough now has a 4.86 ERA/3.10 FIP and a 4.33 K/BB overall through 33-1/3 innings. However, when he pitches out of the bulk role, his ERA and FIP look much different, dropping to a 0.84 ERA/2.60 FIP and a 3.34 K/BB across 10-2/3 frames. The lesson to be learned here is that, perhaps, Yarbrough should pitch behind an opener. Yarbrough is 2-2 with a 7.25 ERA in four career outings (two starts) against the Angels.

Shohei Ohtani gave up four runs to the Rangers on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out nine across five innings on Monday. At the plate, Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk, and three runs scored. Ohtani got off to a shaky first inning in his first road start of the year, an outing that was highlighted by a three-run home run by Nate Lowe, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly by David Dahl. Ohtani has struggled with command this season, including first-pitch strike percentage that registers under 50% while tallying 13 walks across 13-2/3 innings. The two-way player was able to help his own cause in the second inning when he hit a two-run double and eventually scored a game-tying run. Ohtani was able to regain his confidence on the bump, shutting the Rangers out the rest of the way. He has never faced the Rays in a pitching capacity. Ohtani relies primarily on a 97 mph four-seam fastball that will touch 100, and an 81 mph slider, while also mixing in an 87 mph cutter, and a 75 mph curveball.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

Rays 5/5/21 Starting Lineup

  1. B. Lowe 2B
  2. Meadows LF
  3. Diaz DH
  4. Wendle 3B
  5. Kiermaier CF
  6. Mejia C
  7. Tsutsugo 1B
  8. Phillips RF
  9. Adames SS
  10. Yarbrough LHP

Noteworthiness

— RHP Pete Fairbanks (rotator cuff strain) has been activated from the 10-Day Injured List. Fairbanks had been sidelined since early April. Unfortunately, they also placed RHP Diego Castillo (right groin tightness) on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Tuesday.

— RHP Collin McHugh (lower back tightness) returned from the IL yesterday after a couple of weeks on the shelf. However, Michael Wacha (right hamstring tightness) replaced McHugh on the 10-Day IL.

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