Some of the 2008 Rays squad currently in the house, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their World series run. (Photo Credit: Marc Topkin)

On a weekend where the Rays will honor the 10th anniversary of their 2008 World Series run, and after sweeping the Angels in the first three games of the current home stand, Tampa Bay looks to continue an excellent stretch at home. The Rays have won 20 of the last 24 contests under the big top, and start the day 7-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot.

The Rays received some bad news; OF Tommy Pham is headed to the 10-day DL with a hairline fracture in his right foot.

Pham was hit by a pitch on the foot in the fourth inning of Thursday’s game against the Angels. He remained in the game and scored on a wild pitch by Angels starter Andrew Heaney, but was pulled a couple of innings later. Per Rays manager Kevin Cash, the initial X-Rays were on “wrong toe,” based on where he felt pain vs. where he was hit. A hairline fracture was revealed after he underwent an MRI early Friday. Pham will miss 2-4 weeks, and the team is hopeful he will return in less than a month.

LHP Adam Kolarek was recalled from Triple-A Durham and will hold Pham’s roster spot for now.

The New What Next

The Rays will star a three-game series tonight against the Chicago White Sox, who are 17-37 on the road this season. The tandem of Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.36 ERA) and Yonny Chirinos (0-3, 4.21 ERA) will get the start against (7-8, 6.26 ERA).

Ryne Stanek worked around a leadoff and a two-out walk in a scoreless inning of work as the opener on Tuesday against the Angels. He struck out one. Stanek threw 12 of 18 pitches for strikes (67% strike rate) but was limited to one inning this time out, making way for Ryan Yarbrough. The right-hander has posted a strong 2.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP this season.

Yonny Chirinos gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over three innings against Baltimore on Sunday. He struck out three. Three of the runs he allowed came in the first inning, and he was ultimately pulled down by two after tossing 57 pitches (31 strikes, 54% strike rate) in his seventh start of the season. He’s allowed three runs in each of his last three appearances (11-2/3 innings).

Lucas Giolito surrendered five runs on nine hits and a walk over 4-1/3 innings on Saturday against the Jays. He struck out out three. It was a lackluster outing from Giolito, who needed 94 pitches (62 strikes, 66% strike rate) to record 13 outs. This season he has relied primarily on his 93 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in an 84 mph 12-6 slider, a 92 mph sinker, an 82 mph changeup with slight cut action, and a 79 mph curveball with sharp downward bite.

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

The New What Next: Rays vs White Sox part two — a series preview

Rays 8/3/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Robertson SS
Wendle 2B
Perez C
Smith RF
Stanek RHP

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