The Captain, Evan Longoria. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Captain, Evan Longoria. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians — a pair of teams coming off contrasting weekend series — are set to start a three game series at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday.

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Tampa Bay is coming off a disappointing three-game sweep at the hands of the NL West leading San Francisco Giants, a series in which the Rays scored a total of six runs while going 0-for-20 wRISP. The Indians on the other hand swept the ChiSox in three-games, while averaging 6.33 runs along the way.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said a road trip may not be the worst thing for the Rays, and I can’t say I disagree.

Good to be getting out of here. That was just kind of a series of us not getting it done whatsoever. Big hit eluded us, we had baserunners all over the place the first two innings (Sunday) and to come out of that with a run — we have to be able to capitalize on that and we did not.

For whatever reason, the Rays have been a much better team on the road where they’ve averaged 4.94 runs per game this season. Juxtapose that with their play at home where they average 3.37 runs per game.

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Going into the series with San Francisco, the Rays appeared to be turning things around after going 9-6 over a 15-game stretch, and averaging almost five runs per game. Yet the bottom fell out against in the last series.

The luck dragons fiercely predated Tampa Bay, to the tune of a .190 BABIP over the life of the series, as seemingly every ball the team put in play either found a player in the field, or was weakly hit…or both. They’ll now face an Indians squad that — while similar in offensive production over the last 14 days — boasts 14 come-from-behind wins, is averaging 5-1/2 runs at home, and has been victorious in 10 of 12 games. The Indians possess a certain joie de vivre, while the Rays again just seem flat.

Cash will throw Drew Smyly (2-7, 4.75 ERA), Blake Snell (0-1, 2.70 ERA), and Chris Archer (4-9, 4.60 ERA) over the next three days. They’ll be opposed by Josh Tomlin (8-1, 3.27 ERA), Corey Kluber (6-7, 4.23 ERA), and Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.46 ERA).

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Rays series starters

Smyly showed improvement his last time out, after skipping a start to rest, allowing two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts over 6-2/3 innings against Seattle. The 27-year-old southpaw gave up a homer in that outing and has surrendered eight longballs in his last five starts. Yan Gomes is 4-11 with two homers against Smyly, who is 2-2 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 appearances against Cleveland.

Snell was tagged for five runs (one earned) on eight hits and three walks in 3-1/3 innings Thursday against Seattle. A pair of Tim Beckham errors extended two rallies against Snell, although he did himself no favors by throwing only 56 of his 92 pitches for strikes (61% K%). Snell is undoubtedly a good pitcher, his 90 strikeouts in 63 innings for Triple-A Durham speak to that. However, he’s also averaged a walk almost every other inning which really isn’t the greatest formula for translating success in the minors to the big leagues.

Archer allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks while fanning eight over six innings on Friday against the Giants. He’s now given up at least three earned runs in five of his last six starts, leading to a disappointing 4.60 ERA to go along with a 1.44 WHIP — some 22 points higher than his career average. Archer is 1-5 in his last six starts and 0-4 against Cleveland over his career.

Indians series starters

Tomlin has relinquished two runs or fewer in eight of his 12 starts this season, including his last appearance when he gave up just one in seven innings against Kansas City. The right-hander has recorded 50 punchouts and just seven walks in 74-1/3 innings (0.85 BB/9), however, he’s yielded 13 homers. Tomlin is 2-2 with a 4.11 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay. He leans primarily on his 86 mph cutter that features a lot of run; and his 89 mph, fly ball inducing four-seam fastball. The righty also mixes in a whiffy 76 mph curveball and an 84 mph changeup. Key matchup: Corey Dickerson (1-2, HR, RBI)

Kluber was hammered for eight runs on nine hits over five innings on Wednesday. He struck out seven and walked one. That K/BB is great, but the 30 year-old righty is a long way from his 2014 Cy Young Award winning form, as his strikeout rate has fallen and he’s struggled to strand baserunners. Kluber, 4-2 in his last six starts, but 0-1 against the Rays this season and 2-2 in his career. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (2-6, 2 2B), Logan Forsythe (3-12, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (6-16, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (4-13, 2B, RBI)

Bauer didn’t factor into the decision against the ChiSox on Friday despite fanning nine (including 13 swinging strikes) and scattering four hits, an earned run and three walks over seven innings. The 25 year-old righty turned in his fifth straight quality start of the season, although he’s only accumulated one win in that span. Bauer hasn’t give up a homer for the third consecutive starts after allowing six in his previous 13. He is 1-0 with a 2.52 ERA in his last five starts, but 0-1 with a 17.47 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3), Desmond Jennings (1-2, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (3-9, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Steve Pearce (2-4, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Logan Forsythe is 10-29 with four multi-hit performances in his last six games.

— Evan Longoria has belted eight homers in his last 14 games and has 17 on the season.

— Brad Boxberger (left oblique strain) is scheduled to play catch Monday for the first time since May 31 when he sustained the injury while pitching against the Royals.

— Jose Uribe went 5-9 with two homers, four runs, and four RBI in his last two contests, after enduring a 1-24 slump.

— Rajai Davis had four hits on Sunday. Davis is hitting .263 and leads the AL with 20 stolen bases.

— Jose Ramirez is hitting .414 (12-29) with two outs and runners in scoring position.

 

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