After defeating the Houston Astros on Wednesday, 7-0, the Tampa Bay Rays now will try and win the series tonight.
At 98-60 on the season, the Rays enter play 38-games above .500. Not only did Tampa Bay set a franchise record for victories in a season last night, but they also clinched home-field advantage in the American League playoffs. They need to split the final four games of the season to reach the century mark.
Last night, Wander Franco swung at the first pitch he saw — a fastball in the strike zone — and knocked it down the left-field line for a one-out double. In so doing, the 20-year-old has reached safely in 43 consecutive games and is now tied with Frank Robinson for the longest on-base streak in AL/NL history by a player 20 years old or younger.
Meanwhile, Drew Rasmussen hurled five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out two. In perhaps the most impressive outing of his young career, Rasmussen held the Astros without a baserunner for 4.1 frames before Yuli Gurriel broke through with a single. The right-hander completed the inning without surrendering any damage on the scoreboard, allowing him to notch his third win in his past four starts. Rasmussen was very efficient, throwing just 54 pitches (42 strikes, 77%) while leaning on the very good defense behind him. The 26-year-old may have worked his way into Tampa Bay’s postseason rotation with his strong campaign. He finishes 2021 with a 2.84 ERA and a 30.8 FIP, with a 1.08 WHIP, and 2.92 K:BB across 76 innings.
THE NEW WHAT NEXT
Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (9-6, 5.09 ERA) will pitch behind Collin McHugh (6-1, 1.60 ERA) tonight, pitching opposite of Lance McCullers (12–5, 3.17 ERA).
Collin McHugh pitched 2.1 scoreless against Toronto the last time he opened. He was on the Injured List the last time the Rays faced his former club, the Astros, back in early May.
Ryan Yarbrough pitched out of the bulk role on Friday, scattering just two hits across six scoreless frames on 80 pitches (54 strikes, 68% strike rate, 6 whiffs, 8% SwStr%) — striking out four while walking none for the second time in as many games.
Yarbrough was terrific, allowing just one batter into position in his scoreless outing. He had a rather interesting, yet effective, pitch mix, throwing his curveball 29 times while coaxing 33% swings and whiffs. He rounded things out by leaning on the rest of his repertoire — his sinker, changeup which boasted a lot of sweeping movement, and cutter — essentially equally. In two of his previous three outings, Yarbrough was hammered for 14 runs over 4.1 innings, yet he’s allowed just four runs over 12 innings since. He now owns a 5.09 ERA and a 4.42 FIP, with a 1.23 WHIP, and a 4.28 K/BB across 150.1 innings. Yarbrough is 0-2 with a 4.42 ERA in three career outings (two starts) against Houston.
Lance McCullers Jr. allowed three runs on two hits and four walks across six innings on Thursday against the Angels. He struck out five. McCullers posted his fourth consecutive quality start, yet he lacked run support and was the victim of a poor offensive showing from his teammates which resulted in a loss. His command also was a bit shaky in this one, which has been a trend of late. Over his last six starts, McCullers owns a 3.03 ERA but has also posted a 2.05 K/BB across 35.2 innings. All told, he maintains a 3.17 ERA and a 3.48 FIP, with a 1.24 WHIP, and a 2.41 K/BB across 156.1 innings on the season. McCullers is 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Brandon Lowe (2-3, 2B), Manuel Margot (2-5, BB)
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
RAYS 9/30/21 STARTING LINEUP
- Lowe 2B
- Arozarena RF
- Franco SS
- Cruz DH
- Meadows LF
- Margot CF
- Choi 1B
- Zunino C
- Wendle 3B
- Yarbrough LHP
NOTEWORTHINESS
— RHP Matt Wisler has been activated off the Injured List after dealing with right middle finger inflammation. Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), Wisler is likely to get two appearances in the final four games so they can determine if he’ll be on the postseason roster. LHP Ryan Sherriff, who posted 1.2 scoreless innings last night, was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
— Ryan Thompson will underwent surgery in Dallas today for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).