The Rays can make it two orange roofs in a row with a win this afternoon. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

I’ve got a lot on my plate today, so this will be a short one. Thanks for understanding.

After an exciting 4-3, extra-inning win over the Pirates at the Trop last night, the Tampa Bay Rays look to make it two in a row this afternoon.

At 38-32 on the season, the Rays enter play six games over .500.

Tampa Bay punched out 17 hitters last night — including nine punchies by Jeffrey Springs — and did not walk a batter across 10 frames. It was the fourth time in franchise history they had struck out that many batters without walking anyone.

This afternoon might be the final contest sans Wander Franco, who’s expected to come off the Injured List at some point this weekend. After playing three consecutive games for Durham in Jacksonville, the shortstop will be re-evaluated by the training staff this afternoon, and then could be activated tomorrow. Meanwhile, Drew Rasmussen (left hamstring) will throw three innings this morning in Port Charlotte. The right-hander could be activated on the road trip if all goes well.

The New What Next

Corey Kluber (3-4, 3.46 ERA) will get the start this afternoon, pitching opposite J.T. Brubaker (1-7, 4.11 ERA).

Corey Kluber allowed two unearned runs on four hits, a hit batsman, and a walk while striking out three across six innings against the Yankees. Kluber held New York hitless through the first three innings, yet two Tampa Bay errors led to his unearned runs in the fourth inning. The veteran has had two strong outings against New York this season, allowing just one earned run across 12 innings. Overall, Kluber maintains a solid 3.46 ERA and a 3.61 FIP, with a 5.45 K/BB and a 1.09 WHIP across 67.2 innings of work. He is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in one career start against Pittsburgh.

JT Brubaker allowed five hits and three walks over six shutout innings on Monday against Chicago, while striking out five. The Cubs threatened to score on multiple occasions, including the first when Rafael Ortega was thrown out at home to end the inning, but Brubaker held them scoreless. Overall, the 28-year-old maintains a 4.11 ERA and a 4.30 FIP, with a 2.26 K/BB and a 1.43 WHIP in 2022. He relies primarily on a 93 mph sinker that has slight arm-side run, and an 87 mph 12-6 slider, while also mixing in an 80 mph 12-6 curveball, a 93 mph four-seam fastball that has some natural sinking action, and an 88 mph changeup with sink. Key Matchup: Harold Ramirez (1-3, HR, RBI)

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

TNWN: Rays vs Pirates — an interleague series

Rays 6/25/22 Starting Lineup

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

Noteworthiness

— Don’t forget to check out Ben Whitelaw’s (RBLR Sports) pregame notes: