With catches like this gem from last night, it makes you wonder where the Rays would be hadn't Kevin Kiermaier missed two months of the season. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
With catches like this gem from last night, it makes you wonder where the Rays would be hadn’t Kevin Kiermaier missed two months of the season. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After taking the series from the New York Yankees on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays will try to do something they have yet to accomplish this season — sweep a series at home. A win today also would be a season-high tying, fourth straight victory for the Rays.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay enters the series finale with 10 straight quality starts after Drew Smyly allowed just two runs over six innings Saturday in the 6-3 win over the Yankees — tying the second longest run in franchise history.  The Rays’ longest quality start streak occurred in 2013 (June 30-through-July 14, 2013; 15 games).

LHP Blake Snell (2-4, 3.05 ERA) will take the mound this afternoon opposite of Michael Pineda (5-9, 5.00 ERA).

Snell posted a pair of quality starts on the last road trip. The challenge for Snell will be to put together another solid start against the Yankees — the first team that will twice at the Major League level. Pineda has been good over last two starts, allowing only one run total over 13 innings. However, in two 2016 starts against the Tampa Bay, Pineda has given up 13 runs and five homers in 8-2/3 innings. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview

Rays 7/31/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe DH
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson LF
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Beckham 2B
Franklin 1B
Maile C
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have hit five homers in the last two games, giving them 133 through 102 games — the most they have ever had at this point of the season. Brad Miller now has an extra-base hit in four consecutive games, the first time he’s accomplished that.

Injury notes. Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) made his first rehab start at the Double-A level Saturday, throwing three hitless innings with the Montgomery Biscuits, while walking one and punching out five; all on just 34 pitches. OF Desmond Jennings went 2-for-5 with a homer yesterday afternoon with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, playing the entire game in left field.

Trade rumors. Rumor has it that the Tigers have become increasingly involved in the starting pitching market, and they are looking mostly at number three and four type starters. Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wonders if they may target Drew Smyly for a reunion?

It is the opinion of Jayson Stark (ESPN) and Ken Rosenthal (Fox Sports) that Houston and Pittsburgh may try to cobble together a deal for one of the Rays’ starting pitchers. Austin Meadows and Josh Bell, both of the Pirates, are on Matt Silverman’s radar.

Silverman was photographed last night, possibly wheeling and dealing, unbeknownst to the Rays fans below.

Interestingly enough, Steve Pearce is not in the lineup today. Might something be in play? Or might Kevin Cash be trying to get another left-handed bat the the lineup (Nick Franklin; switch hitter) against the right-handed Pineda?

Chris Cotillo (SB Nation) tweeted that both the Orioles and Dodgers have interest in RHP Erasmo Ramirez. As I mentioned Friday, Silverman has Dodgers’ catcher Austin Barnes in his sights.

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