X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

TNWN: Rays vs Blue Jays — one last home series preview

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  • Can Travis d’Arnaud keep up his offensive productivity when the Blue Jays come to town? (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After winning two consecutive series against Cleveland and Baltimore and going 5-1 on the current homestand, the Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into the Trop for a four-game set, starting Thursday. The Blue Jays dropped both games of a two-game series against Atlanta, and seven of their last 10.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

In spite of going 3-for-15 wRISP (.200 BA) and plating just nine runs total against the Orioles, Rays hitters have fared much better at the plate of late, slashing an overall .265 BA/.325 OBP/.454 SLG/.779 OPS line over the last 14 days, with a moderately powerful .189 ISO and an improved but not stellar 106 wRC+.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays seem to be going in the opposite direction, slashing a combined .213 BA/.287 OBP/.364 SLG/.651 OPS line, with a significantly below league average 72 wRC+ over the last 14 days.

Toronto’s pitching staff also hasn’t been great over the same stretch, posting an overall 3-9 record with a 4.17 ERA and a 4.64 FIP (starters: 1-5, 4.01 ERA and a 4.51 FIP, relievers: 2-4, 4.78 ERA and a 4.74 FIP).

The Rays should be able to limit the Blue Jays offense and tag the pitching staff with some runs.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

After this series, Tampa Bay will embark on a pretty big road trip which will take them out west. Before they face the mighty Dodgers on the 17th and 18th — kicking off a stretch of eight consecutive games against plus .500 teams — the Rays will have an opportunity to pad the win column while also staying relevant in the AL Wildcard race. However, that doesn’t mean they should take this series for granted … after all, Toronto took two-of-three from Tampa Bay the last time the two teams met, at the beginning of August.

The Rays are 8-4 against the Blue Jays this season, and 4-2 at home.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will throw Austin Pruitt (2-0, 4.78 ERA), Brendan McKay (2-3, 5.55 ERA), Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.06 ERA), and Ryan Yarbrough (11-3, 3.49 ERA). Charlie Montoyo is expected to counter with Trent Thornton (4-9, 5.34 ERA), Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.45 ERA), a hurler to be named before Saturday’s contest, and Jacob Waguespack (4-3, 3.97 ERA).

Austin Pruitt got the start against Cleveland on Friday because the Rays had used seven pitchers against Houston the day before. Contrary to his season numbers, “Cy” Pruitt set the tone with the best outing of his big league career. Pruitt surrendered four hits while striking out six across 5-1/3 scoreless frames. The right-hander threw 52 of 77 pitches for strikes (68% strike rate) as well as 14 of 20 first-pitch strikes while coaxing 11 swinging strikes. He lowered his ERA by almost a full point — from 5.57 to 4.78 — and now carries a 1.27 WHIP and a 3.67 K/BB over 37-2/3 on the season. Color me surprised … I’ll take it.

Trent Thornton yielded four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out six over five innings on Friday against Houston. Thornton gave up all four of his runs in the fifth inning, allowing a three-run blast before getting the hook. Even though he owns a 5.34 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP, with 123 punchouts over 129-2/3 innings this season, the 25-year-old has allowed three or fewer earned runs in four consecutive outings. Be that as it may, Thornton is 0-1 with a whopping 11.12 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-6, HR, 2 RBI), Travis d’Arnaud (1-3), Matt Duffy (1-2), Avisail Garcia (4-6, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (3-6, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Austin Meadows (6-7, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Tommy Pham (1-4), Eric Sogard (1-2)

Brendan McKay was recalled by the Rays on Tuesday. The highly-touted prospect made his big league debut in late June although he hasn’t really established himself. He owns a 5.55 ERA in 35-2/3 big-league innings thus far, which led to an August demotion. However, the southpaw struck out eight and allowed just a hit and a walk across three scoreless frames in his last appearance with Triple-A Durham. McKay ripped through opposing hitters over 53 pitches, 39 of which were strikes (74% strike rate). He allowed three runs on six hits (including two home runs) and a walk across five innings in his last start against the Blue Jays.

Clay Buchholz allowed two runs on three hits and five walks with three strikeouts across 5-2/3 innings against the Astros on Saturday. It’s been a tough season for Buchholz, as he missed three months with a shoulder injury, yet he finally tallied the first win of his 2019 campaign. Buchholz also pitched well in his previous start, yielding just three hits. The right-hander owns a 3.08 ERA in two outings since his return from the shoulder ailment but is 1-3 with a 5.45 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP, with 18 strikeouts in 36-1/3 innings this season. He is 9-8 with a 2.62 ERA in his career against the Rays, and 6-3 with a 1.87 ERA in 12 starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2), Ji-Man Choi (1-4), Austin Meadows (2-5, RBI), Tommy Pham (1-3), Eric Sogard (1-3, RBI, BB)

Charlie Morton gave up one earned run on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts across 5-1/3 innings against Cleveland on Sunday. Morton guided the Rays to a huge series sweep against Cleveland after he got blasted by the Astros in his previous outing. Morton yielded an RBI double in the second inning and found himself in a bit of a jam, although he was able to escape and finish the rest of his outing cleanly. He needed 108 pitches to get through just 5-1/3 innings, which isn’t the height of efficiency, yet the bullpen got the job done over the balance of the game. Morton now sports a 3.06 ERA and a 4.18 K/BB ratio over 170-1/3 innings. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts against Toronto this season.

TBA

Ryan Yarbrough got the start on Monday and battled over six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits while fanning four against Baltimore. Yarbrough cruised through the first five frames, but the Orioles dinged him up for four runs in the sixth inning on a homer, three singles, and a double. Still, the 27-year-old has put together a solid 2019 campaign, posting a 3.49 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP, with a 7.29 K/BB across 121-1/3 innings.

Jacob Waguespack allowed four runs (two earned) on one hit with five walks and four strikeouts across four innings against Atlanta on Monday. While he gave up just one hit, it was a home run, while the walks just killed him. One of his five walks scored on the long ball, and two more Braves who reached with walks crossed the plate because of an error. Waguespack threw seven shutout innings two starts ago, but since he’s yielded five earned runs (nine total) in seven innings. He owns a 3.97 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts across 59 innings this season. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three outings (two starts) against the Rays this season. Key Matchups: Jesus Aguilar (1-3), Ji-Man Choi (2-7, RBI, BB), Travis d’Arnaud (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Avisail Garcia (1-3), Nate Lowe (1-3), Tommy Pham (2-7, 2B, RBI, BB), Eric Sogard (1-2)

Noteworthiness

— Enter Tommy Pham, the smoothie king:

— After all the chatter about whether or not Orioles pitchers were trying to hit Pham, one of their hurlers did hit a Ray, Eric Sogard, late in Tuesday’s game. Fortunately, the utility player is okay.

https://twitter.com/EricSogard/status/1169090744482697217

Rays look for a series win against Toronto on Wednesday; Jose Alvarado update

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There’s something very cool about the light and shadow work on the roof of Tropicana Field. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a thrilling 7-6, extra-inning win on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays will go for a series win in the rubber match against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, on Wednesday. Tampa Bay hit a triplet of homers in the fourth inning, allowing them to erase a six-run deficit.

Down 6-0, Eric Sogard led off the fourth inning with a base hit to center before Avisail Garcia launched a 382 foot home run to left-field.

Then, Matt Duffy singled to left before Willy Adames hit a two-run, 375-foot homer to left-field.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1158899910801948672

Finally, with two outs in the frame, Travis d’Arnaud singled to deep right before Austin Meadows blasted a no-doubt 447-foot homer to right field, tying the game at six.

The game stayed knotted at six apiece until the bottom of the tenth inning. Meanwhile, the Rays bullpen behind Nick Anderson, who racked up two strikeouts; Emilio Pagan, who struck out the side after allowing two batters to reach on back-to-back one-out hits; and Diego Castillo worked in tandem to keep the Blue Jays off the board.

Pagan was particularly animated when he struck out Cavan Biggio on a 96 mph fastball above the zone, stranding a pair of runners in scoring position.

The Rays ultimately won the game on a tenth inning, bases-loaded wild pitch, going 0-8 wRISP along the way.

It was Tampa Bay’s third walk-off win of the season and just their extra-inning win (in nine chances) at home. It was the second time in franchise history the Rays won on a walk-off wild pitch, April 30, 2011, by Fernando Rodney, then of the Angels.

Tampa Bay enters play a half-game in front of Oakland for the final Wildcard spot and 1-1/2 games back of Cleveland for the top Wildcard spot. Tampa Bay and Oakland won yesterday, while Cleveland’s game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The New What Next

Brendan McKay (2-1, 4.38 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of former Ray Wilmer Font (3-2, 4.91 ERA).

Brendan McKay allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk over 5-1/3 innings against the Red Sox on Thursday. He struck out seven. McKay got off to an inauspicious start by allowing three of the first four hitters to reach base, including a two-run homer. He settled down though and left with a lead for his second big-league win. McKay was rocked for six runs in his previous outing, so Thursday’s effort was a positive sign for Tampa Bay.

Wilmer Font threw 26 pitches (17 strikes, 65% strike rate) over two scoreless frames on Friday, so it’s likely he will be used as an opener as opposed to a traditional starter. Font has a 4.91 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 2.79 K/BB across 55 innings this season, and has given up four runs in 10 innings with Toronto. Key Matchups: Guillermo Heredia (1-1, RBI, BB), Mike Zunino (1-3)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Blue Jays — a series preview, part four

Rays 8/7/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Choi 1B
  2. Pham LF
  3. Meadows RF
  4. Garcia DH
  5. Sogard 2B
  6. Brosseau 3B
  7. Kiermaier C
  8. Zunino C
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— In the first of back-to-back rehab outings by for Jose Alvarado, the left-hander pitched in the seventh inning of a Durham Bulls ballgame, needing 28 pitches (12 strikes, 43% strike rate) to get through the frame. Alvarado ranged between 95-99 mph on his fastball, although his command of the fastball and slider (which ranged from 89-91 mph) lacked consistency. He will pitch again tomorrow. If he can throw strikes, he will be recalled by the weekend. If not, Alvarado may need a little more time in Durham.

— Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle, and Yandy Diaz took grounders yesterday, although it is not clear when they will start their respective rehab assignments.

— Anthony Banda (Tommy John surgery) threw four scoreless frames in Durham, allowing three hits while striking out one.

— Trevor Richards, in his first inning of work, since he was acquired from Miami, threw a scoreless inning, throwing 13 of 28 pitches for strikes (46% strike rate), allowing one hit and two walks, while fanning two.

TNWN: Rays vs Blue Jays — a series preview, part four

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Charlie Morton will get the start in the series opener against the Blue Jays, on Monday.

After the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Marlins 7-2 on Sunday afternoon, completing a two-game sweep of Miami, they will welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into the Trop for a three-game series. The Blue Jays are coming off a series split against the Orioles.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

For the first time in franchise history, the Rays have scored six or more runs in seven consecutive games. Over that stretch, Tampa Bay has gone 6-1 and swept two consecutive series. They are a red-hot 8-2 in the last 10 games and have won three consecutive series.

The Rays offense has been very good of late, slashing a combined .333 BA/.417 OBP/.640 SLG/1.057 OPS line with a .307 ISO, a 179 wRC+, and a 21.5 wRAA over the last seven days. A caveat, however, they’ve been very lucky to the tune of an unsustainable .408 BABIP over that stretch. Be that as it may, Tampa Bay has done a good job of getting the important situational hits over the last four series (.300, .303, .290, .333 BA wRISP), during which the Rays took two-of-three from the Blue Jays.

Toronto has gotten toasty since the two clubs last met, winning five of seven games. It should be noted though, those five victories came against the dregs of the American League (the Royals and Orioles). Still, the Blue Jays played Tampa Bay very competitively three series ago, and more of the same can be expected this week.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays are 7-2 against the Blue Jays this season, having outscored them 57-41.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.78 ERA), Ryan Yarbough (10-3, 4.01 ERA) in some capacity, and Brendan McKay (2-1, 4.38 ERA). Charlie Montoyo will counter with Jacob Waguespack (2-1, 4.80 ERA), Trent Thornton (4-7, 5.23 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Charlie Morton allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks across 4-2/3 innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out two. Morton’s previous start was also against the Red Sox, and it’s clear that Boston’s hitters made some adjustments. Still, had Morton not been pulled two outs into the fifth inning, he would have been in line for the win. The right-hander is having a great season, as he is 12-3 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 165 strikeouts across 136 innings. Morton is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in one start against the Blue Jays this season.

Jacob Waguespack allowed one run on three hits over six innings against the Royals on Tuesday. He struck out two and walked one. Waguespack completed six innings for the first time in six starts. The 25-year-old maintains a 4.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 2.67 K/BB over 30 innings this season. Waguespack is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in two games (one start) against the Rays this season. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (2-5, RBI), Travis d’Arnaud (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3), Austin Meadows (1-4, 3B, RBI, BB), Tommy Pham (2-4, 2B, RBI, BB)

Ryan Yarbrough allowed four runs on six hits over 4-1/3 relief innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday. He struck out three. Yarbrough served up as many homers as he generated swinging strikes (two) over 75 pitches (51 strikes, 68% strike rate) — but the Rays offense picked him up, allowing Yarbrough to earn his fifth straight win. It was the first time the left-hander allowed more than one run in an outing since June 13. He is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three games (11 innings) against the Blue Jays this season.

Trent Thornton hurled six innings on Wednesday and allowed one run on five hits and no walks while striking out two. Thornton was coming off a 10-day stint on the IL with right elbow inflammation but limited Baltimore to six baserunners on five singles and a hit batsman while tossing 58 of 87 pitches for strikes (67% strike rate). He was successful despite missing few bats — he induced just six swinging strikes. The quality start came after a pair of rough post-All-Star Break outings in which the rookie surrendered nine earned runs across 4-1/3 combined frames. Thornton is now 4-7 with a 5.23 ERA and a 2.27 K/BB over 105 innings this season. He is 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay this season. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-4), Avisail Garcia (3-5, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Austin Meadows (4-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Tommy Pham (1-4, BB)

Brendan McKay allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk over 5-1/3 innings against the Red Sox on Thursday. He struck out seven. McKay got off to an inauspicious start by allowing three of the first four hitters to reach base, including a two-run homer. He settled down though and left with a lead for his second big-league win. McKay was rocked for six runs in his previous outing, so Thursday’s effort was a positive sign for Tampa Bay.

TBA

Noteworthiness

— Jose Alvarado is scheduled to pitch in back-to-back games with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes as planned, he will be activated from the IL this weekend on the road.

— Yandy Diaz (left foot bruise) ran on a treadmill Sunday, but there remains no timetable for his return.

— Brandon Lowe (right shin contusion) took ground balls before Sunday’s ballgame, the first time he has done so in several days. Lowe told reporters that a cortisone shot has greatly improved his rehab.

Hopefully, it keeps progressing and I’m back out there soon.

— Brandon Lowe

Rays look for a sweep in the Citrus Series this afternoon

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The Rays won the first game of a brief two-game set against the Marlins, 8-6, on Saturday. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After an 8-6, come from behind win over Miami on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays look for a sweep in the short two-game set against the Marlins, on Sunday. They have won the previous three meetings with Miami this season and can sweep the season series with a victory this afternoon.

The Rays have gone streaking, winning five consecutive ballgames and have scored at least six runs in six straight games — tying the longest such stretch in club history.

Tampa Bay enters play a half-game ahead of Oakland for the last playoff spot, two games behind Cleveland for the top Wildcard spot, eight behind the Yankees in the AL East, and five-and-a-half games ahead of the third-place Red Sox, whose chances of a postseason berth fell to a season-low of 24.1%.

Rays hitters slugged four home runs en route to victory, with two coming off the bat of newcomer Erik Sogard, who became the seventh player since 2000 to homer in their first two home plate appearances with a team.

Austin Meadows and Willy Adames also hit the tying and go-ahead home runs, which led the team to victory.

Tampa Bay went 4-13 with runners in scoring position (.308 BA), which falls in line with what the team had done in the three previous series.

Another crucial component of last night’s win, three key pieces of the Rays high-leverage bullpen came up big. Diego Castillo opened the game and worked around a leadoff double with a seven-pitch (all strikes) frame. Nick Anderson, who was making his Tropicana Field debut against his former team, struck out two in a perfect seven-pitch (all strikes) eighth inning.

And Emilio Pagan allowed a two-out triple in the ninth to Jon Berti but got Brian Anderson to pop out to right to notch his ninth save.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (8-5, 3.70 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Caleb Smith (7-4, 3.43 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four across four innings on Sunday against Toronto. The Blue Jays jumped on Chirinos for two runs in the second inning, two in the third, and three in the fifth, although the Rays offense put up 10 runs and ultimately win the ballgame. Chirinos uncharacteristically struggled with his command at times, firing 56 of 93 pitches for strikes (60% strike rate). Ideally, this is just a bump in the road for Chirinos, who owns a 3.70 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 106 punchouts across 121-2/3 innings this season.

Caleb Smith allowed four runs on four hits and a walk over seven innings on Monday, while striking out nine. Miami’s offense staked Smith to a big lead with a six-run second inning, and he made it hold up. The southpaw maintains a 3.43 ERA and a 3.84 K/BB through 97 innings. Over his career, Smith is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Jesus Aguilar (1-4), Ji-Man Choi (1-4), Avisail Garcia (1-2, HR, RBI), Guillermo Heredia (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Marlins — a Citrus Series preview, part two

Rays 8/4/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Duffy 3B
  2. Pham LF
  3. Aguilar 1B
  4. d’Arnaud DH
  5. García RF
  6. Brosseau 2B
  7. Heredia CF
  8. Zunino C
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— Jose Alvarado (oblique strain) will pitch for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, his first outing as he comes back from his pre-All Star Break injury. If all goes well, the right-hander would pitch in back-to-back outings for Durham on Tuesday and Wednesday and could be activated during the upcoming road trip.

Rays ‘pen bends but doesn’t break in a 6-5 win over Boston

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  • Both Travis d’Arnaud and Avisail Garcia hit homers off of former Ray, David Price. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

For the sixth time this season, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to exit Fenway Park with a tally in the win column, this time defeating the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, 6-5. Avisail Garcia doubled, homered and drove in three key runs, while Emilio Pagan got four critical outs to close out the ballgame.

Tampa Bay didn’t score in the first inning, although they were able to work some long at-bats against former Ray, David Price, which drove up his pitch count and led to his early exit from the ballgame. Meanwhile, Boston took the lead in an extended first inning against Charlie Morton, scoring a pair of runs on a bases-loaded two-run single by Mitch Moreland.

The Rays finally answered in the third inning. Matt Duffy got things started with a double before Austin Meadows roped an RBI triple to right — his seventh of the season. Yet Boston responded in the bottom of the frame with a string of singles against Morton before Benintendi pushed the lead to two runs once more on an RBI single.

In the fourth inning, the Rays looked as though they might break the game open after the loaded bases. Yet they failed to score; stop me if you’ve heard that one before. Boston’s lead was not safe for long though, as Travis d’Arnaud hit a massive 453-foot blast over The Monstah in left in the top of the fifth before Avisail Garcia hit his own solo shot to tie the game.

Tampa Bay was able to move in front when Mike Brosseau singled, Nate Lowe doubled, and Price was pulled from the game with runners in scoring position. With Marcus Walden on the mound, recently acquired Eric Sogard pinch hit for Willy Adames and notched the go-ahead RBI on a groundout, giving the Rays a one-run lead.

Still, Boston moved back in front in the bottom of the inning, albeit for the final time. With one on and two out, Morton was lifted after throwing just 85 pitches.

With the left-handed-hitting Benintendi coming to the plate, Cash called upon lefty ground ball specialist, Adam Kolarek. As fate would have it, Kolarek missed with his location on the very first pitch but Benintendi did not, hammering the ball over the left-field wall for a one-run advantage.

After the ballgame, Cash said that the decision to take out Morton had to do with matchups but said Charlie “deserves” the opportunity to get that out and would give it to him if he could do it all over again.

To his credit, Kolarek got the final out of the inning and pitched a perfect sixth.

Tampa Bay was able to manage a two-out rally in the top of the sixth to regain the lead. d’Arnaud walked and Meadows singled, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora then made a pitching change to bring in a right-hander to face Garcia. Avi made him pay for that lapse in judgment, hammering a two-run double off The Monstah, giving the Rays an unrelinquishable lead.

Put another way, you hate on Cash for the pitching change, the criticism is valid. However, Cora made an equally baffling decision (if not more so, considering Boston’s ‘pen) by leaning on three pitchers to preserve a one-run advantage, and the Rays subsequently took the lead. Surely some Sox fans lost it!

After that, the bullpen did its job. In the seventh, Diego Castillo got the first two outs, and Colin Poche struck out Benintendi with two out and two on to end the frame.

Tampa Bay took their one-run lead into the eighth inning when three pitchers were needed to get through the frame as Boston loaded the bases. Chaz Roe gave up a double to Sam Travis but struck out Christian Vazquez. Oliver Drake walked Brock Holt but got Jackie Bradley Jr. to line out softly to third. Then with two out and two on, Emilio Pagan allowed an infield single to Mookie Betts but got Rafael Devers to fly out.


Pagan took the mound in the ninth inning and got the first two outs before he allowed a bloop single to Benintendi to left, and a base hit to right to Travis. But, Vazquez flew out to left, ending the game.

The Rays bullpen bent but didn’t break and they took the first game of the series. They remain a half-game out of the final Wildcard spot after the Athletics won in 10 innings over Milwaukee, however, they made up ground on Cleveland and New York, and stretched their lead over the Red Sox to a game and a half. They enter play Wednesday with a 63.7% chance of a postseason berth according to Baseball Prospectus.

The New What Next

Game two of the series is on Wednesday, following the trade deadline. Andrew Kittredge (1-0, 3.05 ERA) will open the game ahead of Ryan Yarbrough (9-3, 3.78 ERA). They’ll be opposed by Rick Porcello (9-7, 5.55 ERA).

Andrew Kittredge went three innings on Sunday, allowing two runs while fanning seven.

Ryan Yarbrough allowed one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts across 5-1/3 innings. Diego Castillo opened the game, but Yarbrough carried the load starting in the second inning, posting his seventh straight outing with either zero or one run allowed. He has allowed just four total runs in his last 32-2/3 innings of work. Yarbrough owns a 1.10 ERA over that stretch and has won his last four decisions. Overall, Yarbrough maintains a 3.78 ERA (down from 8.10 in April), a 0.93 WHIP, and 62 punchouts in 81 innings this season.

Rick Porcello held the Yankees to three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings. After failing to make it through the first inning during his last start against New York in London, Porcello bounced back with a solid outing reinforced by tremendous run support from his offense. In spite a tough 47-pitch second inning, the former Cy Young Award winner settled in to keep the Yankees at bay, tossing 112 pitches in the process. Even so, Porcello carries a 5.55 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 2.79 K/BB on the season. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (5-13, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (9-21, RBI), Avisail Garcia (11-27, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (13-52, 2 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (2-7), Joey Wendle (5-12, 2B, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Red Sox — a series preview, part five

Rays 7/31/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Choi DH
  2. Meadows LF
  3. d’Arnaud C
  4. Lowe 1B
  5. Garcia RF
  6. Kiermaier CF
  7. Duffy 3B
  8. Sogard 2B
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier (thumb sprain) has been activated from the 10-day Injured List. To make room for Kiermaier, INF Joey Wendle has been placed on the IL with right wrist inflammation.

— Brendan McKay has been added to the taxi squad in advance of his start in Boston tomorrow.

— About last night’s strike zone. First, it was wide, then it was tight. Then it was wide again, and once more tight. Back and forth all night.

— We will have a separate post if any deals are made by the 4:00 trade deadline.