After a much needed 5-3 win over Oakland on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to make it two in a row this afternoon. Willy Adames and Brandon Lowe came up big in the win, both collecting three hits apiece.
Tampa Bay used seven pitchers last night, and have made multiple moves in advance of Saturday’s contest. Austin Pruitt, who hurled three innings was optioned to Triple-A Durham while Daniel Robertson was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation. To compensate, the Rays recalled LHP Adam Kolarek and promoted 3B/UTL, Mike Brosseau. Catcher Anthony Bemboom was moved to the 60-day IL to create space on the 40-man roster for Brosseau.
Like Robertson, Brosseau has the ability to play all over the diamond, which could allow the utility man to see regular action against left-handed pitching while he’s on the active roster. Over 283 plate appearances with the Bulls this season, Brosseau has slashed .313 BA/.406 OBP/.579 SLG/.985 OPS with 35 extra-base hits including 14 homers. His .416 wOBA and 148 wRC+ are impressive, as is his ability to see a lot of pitches and put the ball in play (11.7 BB%, 17.7 K%).
Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio Blog) at the time of his call-up Brosseau was leading the International League in RBI (57), was third in runs scored (50), second in doubles (20), and fifth in OPS (.985)
The New What Next
Yonny Chirinos (7-3, 3.00 ERA) will get the start for the Rays this afternoon, pitching opposite of Mike Fiers (7-3, 4.38 ERA).
Yonny Chirinos allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six on Monday. The right-hander fired off his second consecutive quality start, but with Masahiro Tanaka throwing a shutout for the Yankees, that wasn’t good enough. Chirinos owns a 3.00 ERA and a 4.53 K/BB over 81 innings this season. He allowed two runs on seven hits (including a homer) and a walk on June 12 against Oakland, while punching out seven.
Mike Fiers yielded two unearned runs on three hits and two walks across six innings on Monday, fanning four batters. Fiers has earned a win in three straight starts and has won five consecutive decisions dating back to May 7. Baltimore collected both of their runs in the second inning after a throwing error by Matt Chapman. Fiers lowered his ERA to 4.26 across 82-1/3 innings. He limited the Rays to two runs on three hits (including a homer) and a walk across six innings on June 11. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-2, HR, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (4-8, 2B), Guillermo Heredia (1-3, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (3-10), Tommy Pham (1-3, HR, RBI)
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
Rays 6/22/19 Starting Lineup
- Lowe 2B
- Pham LF
- Choi 1B
- Meadows RF
- Garcia DH
- Kiermaier CF
- Adames SS
- Wendle 3B
- Zunino C
Noteworthiness
— Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, right-hander Anthony Banda scheduled to pitch a couple of innings with the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Sunday.
— You can read about the ongoing Rays Stadium Saga at the links below. I know, I also have a headache…beer me the strength.