The Tampa Bay Rays will begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. The struggling Rays dropped three straight on the road in Seattle, while the ChiSox have lost five in a row after getting swept over the weekend at Detroit.
Both teams are looking to turn their fortunes around after rough weekends.
The Rays were outscored 31-7 in Seattle, ending their recent nine-game road trip with a 4-5 record after starting the +6,000 mile westward trek 4-2. Tampa Bay gave up 38 hits combined to the Mariners, dropping below .500 (29-30) after winning 10 of the previous 15.
It’s unfortunate, we didn’t really give ourselves a chance in this series, Evan Longoria said following Sunday’s 7-1 loss. We potentially ran out of gas after some good wins.
The White Sox actually fared worse, surrendering 49 runs while losing five in a row, including 32 in their most recent set in Detroit. The Southsider’s welcomed the respite Monday after the series finale this past Sunday, dropping them to a season-low seven games below .500 at 24-31.
When you’re playing baseball you get into a flow, and the only way to get out of a little rut is to keep playing, manager Rick Renteria explained. But in terms of freeing our mind a little, maybe (this day off) will help us.
Rays manager Kevin Cash will lean on Chris Archer (4-3, 3.74 ERA, 2.74 FIP), Jacob Faria (6-1, 3.07 ERA, 3.22 FIP), and Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.53 ERA, 5.23 FIP) over the next three days. Renteria will counter with Jose Quintana (2-7, 5.60 ERA, 4.30 FIP), Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 3.86 ERA, 4.67 FIP), and Derek Holland (4-5, 3.43 ERA, 5.04 FIP).
Pitching Matchups
Archer gave up four runs on seven hits over seven innings in his last start. He fanned seven and walked two. He has collected double-digit strikeouts in four of his last six starts. Texas steadily chipped away at the Rays’ ace, scoring exactly one run against Archer in four separate innings. He’s stumbled on a few different occasions, but Archer’s impressive strikeout ratio has helped him collect his sub four ERA, sub three FIP, and 1.18 WHIP.
Quintana, who finished 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA over six starts in May, must be happy it’s June. Then again at 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA/4.30 FIP overall, the season hasn’t been kind to the left-hander, who has allowed 15 runs on 18 hits over his last seven frames. Don Cooper (White Sox pitching coach) noticed that Quintana has had problems keeping his fastball down in the zone, while fastballs away to right-handers are leaking back over the plate. Let’s hope he doesn’t rebound in the series opener, eh? Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3), Kevin Kiermaier (5-11, 2 2B), Evan Longoria (4-14), Michael Martinez (2-3), Logan Morrison (4-12), Rickie Weeks (1-3)
Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Rays have promoted Jacob Faria in an effort to rest an overtaxed rotation. Calling up Faria for a spot start on Wednesday allows the Rays to get an extra day of rest for Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez. Faria has been successful in the minors because of the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball, paired with strong velocity (averaging 93-94 mph) and some movement. His changeup boasts diving action that causes hitters to whiff over the top of it, and it plays up because of the deception created by his delivery and mechanics. His curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he is able to throw it for strikes, and when he throws it down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.
Pelfrey left his last start with a five inning two-hitter, and a one-run lead, yet finished with a no-decision because the White Sox’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. This season he has relied upon his 93 mph sinker with arm side run, an 83 mph splitter which dives out of the zone, a whiffy 71 mph curveball, and an 84 mph slider with 12-6 movement. Pelfrey has a 3.86 ERA/4.67 FIP in eight starts, and is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (4-11, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Michael Martinez (3-7, HR, 4 RBI), Colby Rasmus (4-12, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)
Odorizzi allowed eight runs (three earned) in 2-1/3 innings on Friday. He gave up two homers, including a grand slam, and threw 77 pitches. The right-hander has given up at least one homer in seven consecutive starts, leading a to a career-worst 1.9 HR/9, while his 5.38 FIP/4.49 xFIP belie his pristine 3.75 ERA. He hopes to rebound against a White Sox squad that ranks 29th in wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.291) Wednesday night.
Holland was touched for eight runs on eight hits over 58 pitches and 2-1/3 innings Friday night. He allowed three home runs. Holland has been good otherwise, allowing at most three runs just twice this season, and averaging just under six innings per start. The Dutch Oven is 4-3 in 11 starts against the Rays, although he’s cultivated a rather meaty 4.66 ERA in that span. This season Holland has relied upon his 92 mph worm killer four-seam fastball, and a 79 mph 12-6 knuckle curveball with little depth. He’s also mixed in an 81 mph slider with 12-6 movement, a 92 mph sinker with arm-side run, and an 84 mph fly ball inducing changeup. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (9-28, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB), Derek Norris (4-13, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (3-12, 2B, HR, RBI), Jesus Sucre (3-5, 3 2B)
Noteworthiness
— Topkin noted the moves necessary to add Faria to the roster:
For Wednesday: Add Faria, send down a reliever (Ryan Garton?)
For Thursday: Send down Faria, add a reliever. (Jumbo Diaz off DL or callup such as Chih-Wei Hu)
For Saturday: Add reliever as 26th man, start Ramirez in 1st game, activate Andriese off DL for second game, send down reliever
— A trio of players appeared in a rehab game Monday. Brad Boxberger struck out all three batters he faced, slashing 1 IP/0 H/0 R/0 BB/3 K.
Rehab day in Clearwater! @RaysBaseball catcher Wilson Ramos is batting second for the Stone Crabs tonight! ⚾️ #RespectTheClaw pic.twitter.com/4EESbez7vS
— Charlotte StoneCrabs (@StoneCrabs) June 5, 2017
Wilson Ramos caught and went 0-for-1 with a walk in his debut with Tampa Bay, while Peter Bourjos went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
— Matt Duffy isn’t likely to return until the end of June, or even the All-Star Break, as he continues his lengthy recovery from Achilles tendon surgery last September.