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Rays set to take on Orioles and Yankees on Tuesday; Archer returns from WBC

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer looks on during a Pool C game of the 2017 World Baseball Classic against Columbia at Miami Marlins Stadium on Friday in Miami. (Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays will play their first split squad game of the spring today, with one squad heading to Sarasota to take on the Orioles and the other staying in Port Charlotte to host the Yankees.

First, a little house keeping

— Mallex Smith made an outstanding catch to rob Joe Mauer of a home run in the first inning of Tuesday’s contest against the Twins.

Smith also pushed a bunt past the Twins third baseman for a leadoff single, drew an errant pickoff throw to first (that was mishandled) which allowed him to move up to second, advanced to third on a fly-ball to right and finally scored on a sacrifice-fly to center.

Rays manager Kevin Cash was complimentary of Smith for his work on bunting.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player work that hard at it. So he’s pretty special in that regard.

Following the game, Smith spoke about the flashy tools he showcased Tuesday.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Nick Franklin continues to stake his claim for a place on the Opening Day roster. Franklin collected three hits yesterday — one to left, to center and to right — and raised his spring average to .571 (12-21). Finding a roster spot, however, might not be the easiest of tasks.

Because of his slow progress in rehabilitating from offseason heel surgery, Matt Duffy will likely start the season on the disabled list, meaning Tim Beckham — who also is having a strong spring — is expected to get the most of the reps at short. Compound that with the fact that the Rays will have to create a roster spot in order to add Rickie Weeks to the 25-man. It is plausible for Franklin to fill the super utility role, however, he will have to show off his defensive tools in the outfield and in the middle infield.

— Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), Jose De Leon remains very much a prospect in progress. De Leon, acquired from the Dodgers for 2B Logan Forsythe, said he felt he took “a step forward” Monday, allowing three runs on two hits (one a 3-run HR) and a walk over three innings. That’s relative, because his first outing was really bad and his second was just okay. He was 90-93 with his fastball but command remains elusive, evidenced when he followed a 15-pitch first inning with a 26-pitch second, and needed 54 overall to get the nine outs. Manager Kevin Cash said De Leon’s command was “a little bit better,” but it’s obvious he needs more work.

— Of bumps, bruises and strains. Brad Boxberger (lat/back) said his the bullpen session he threw Monday went well, and he is scheduled to throw another tomorrow. Still, no date has been set for his exhibition debut, although “he still feels he definitely will be ready for the April 2 opener,” writes Topkin. Shawn Tolleson said his back has been feeling good and he is eager to get on the mound today for his second spring outing.

The New What Next

Blake Snell will get the start against the Orioles in Sarasota, and will be followed by Hunter Wood, Chih-Wei Hu, Ryan Yarbrough and Jake Faria. Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza Jr. will make the trip to Sarasota, while Smith and Kevin Kiermaier will stay home. Jake Odorizzi will get the start against the Yankees in Port Charlotte, and will be followed by Shawn Tolleson, Jaime Schultz, Austin Pruitt and Diego Moreno.

Rays 3/14/17 Starting Lineup vs. Baltimore

Robertson SS
Franklin 2B
Dickerson LF
Souza RF
Gillapsie 1B
Casali C
Peterson DH
Leonard 3B
Lee CF
Snell LHP

Rays 3/14/17 Starting Lineup vs. New York

Smith CF
Kiermaier DH
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Weeks 1B
Beckham SS
Maile C
Bauers LF
Varona RF
Odorizzi RHP

Notheworthiness

— Chris Archer rejoined the Rays on Monday, and will pitch in a minor league game in Port Charlotte on Thursday to remain on schedule for Opening Day.

Per Topkin, there was some talk of Team USA officials having Archer pitch instead on Friday in San Diego, but he will stick to the original plan and stay with the Rays.

The right-hander is scheduled to pitch next on March 22 — the date of the WBC championship game — and could be available then if Team USA is playing.

Jake Odorizzi will not be added to the United States roster for the second round, due to a scheduling conflict.

Rays fall 7-6 in extras, Odorizzi now has a slider, Archer named WBC game one starter

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Corey Dickerson hit his second homer of the spring on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Despite an offensive onslaught from Willy Adames, and a solid one-run effort by Jake Odorizzi, the Tampa Bay Rays fell 7-6 in extras on Tuesday.

Takeaways from Tuesday’s ball game:

— Odorizzi’s slider is coming along. The right-hander told the media following his appearance that felt he made progress with his slider, a pitch of emphasis for him during Spring Training.

Odorizzi threw off speed pitches in counts he otherwise would not if it were the regular season, and got some good reactions to them. He went two innings and and threw 48 pitches (32 strikes), while allowing just a run on five hits while fanning four.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

— Adames homered and later drove in a run. The Rays top prospect hit a line-drive homer to left in the fifth inning against Adam Warren to get Tampa Bay on the board, then later hit a bases-loaded opposite field sacrifice-fly to right for a one-run lead.

Not to be outdone, Corey Dickerson followed Adames’ long ball with an opposite field homer to left, his second of the spring.

The amusing aspect of the dynamic duo’s back-to-back tandem of homers: they came while Yankees’ manager, Joe Girardi, was bring interviewed by the Yes Network.

— Rays skipper Kevin Cash was enthused by the performances of Adames, Williams, Odorizzi and Yarbrough:


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

The New What Next

Chase Whitley will get the start in an exhibition game between the Rays and Team Colombia, Wednesday evening, in Port Charlotte. Erasmo Ramirez, Xavier Cedeno and Jose de Leon are also slated to throw for Tampa Bay.

Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) Logan Morrison is expected to play for the Rays, his first appearance this spring since having September wrist surgery. Morrison is likely to DH today and play the field later in the week.

That leaves three players who’ve yet to appear in a game: Brad Boxberger, Matt Duffy and Colby Rasmus.

Rays 3/8/17 Starting Lineup:

Beckham SS
Morrison DH
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Weeks 1B
Souza RF
Casali C
Bauers LF
Smith CF
Whitley RHP

Noteworthiness

— It was announced Tuesday that Rays ace, Chris Archer, will throw the first pitch for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Archer told MLB.com he envisioned himself as a member of team USA since the original World Baseball Classic run in 2006 — when he was a high school.

I volunteered my services over 10 years ago, whenever it started, Archer said. I knew from that minute on I wanted to be a part of something special. … My favorite players were playing — (Derek) Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens … at that time they were all peaking, they were in their prime. I was glued in. I was locked in. To be considered one of the best in the country, like those guys were, it’s the highest honor I’ve achieved in my baseball career.

— Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the progress on Matt Duffy’s heel has been a little slow, and the target to start playing in Spring Training games has been pushed back from mid-March. A possibility remains this setback could impact Opening Day.

Rays 9/18/16 pregame notes, Longoria sets another milestone, etc.

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Evan Longoria has gone yard in three consecutive games. He'll try to make it four this afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Evan Longoria has gone yard in three consecutive games. He’ll try to make it four this afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to close out their 11-game road trip today on the winning side of the ledger this afternoon in Baltimore, in the season finale against the Orioles. They too have the opportunity to take a series from the O’s — something that seemed  unfathomable at the start of the series, as the Rays previously had gone 0-6 in Baltimore this season. Tampa Bay has won five of  seven after a 5-2 victory last night.

The Rays are now 30-30 since the All-Star Break, and need to go 8-6 over the remaining 14 games to finish with a winning mark since the unofficial midway point of the season.

The New What Next

Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) will get the start for the Rays this afternoon, opposite of Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80 ERA).

Odorizzi hurled seven strong innings on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while fanning four in a no-decision against Toronto. Jake bounced back from his worst start of the season by collecting the eighth quality start of his 11 second-half turns. Not counting his forgettable start against Baltimore on September 6th, Odorizzi hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a game since the All-Star Break. He’s 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the break.

Miley was pounded early by the Red Sox on Monday, lasting just 1-1/3 innings while allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk. 10 of the first 12 Red Sox hitters reached base against lefty, and Showalter removed him after just 41 pitches — his shortest outing of the season. It marked Miley’s third consecutive loss, while each outing has been progressively worse than its predecessor. Since the start of August, Miley has an incredibly gaudy 8.41 ERA despite surrendering just six homers over eight starts. Be that as it may, Miley is 3-2 with a 2.38 ERA in seven starts against Tampa Bay (extending back to 2013). This season, while pitching for Seattle, Miley allowed four runs in six innings and dished up homers to Steven Souza Jr. and (now Oriole) Steve Pearce.

You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 9/18/16 Starting Lineup

Mahtook LF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller SS
Souza Jr. RF
Dickerson DH
Staffer 1B
Ramirez 2B
Maile C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Logan Forsythe has this afternoon off, with Alexei Ramirez slotting in at second and hitting eighth, and Brad Miller handling the shortstop duties, hitting fourth.

— After hitting his single-season career high 34th homer on Friday, Evan Longoria reached another milestone last night, hitting a triple and his third homer in as many days. Longoria currently has 310 total bases — the most he’s had in a single season. Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) his total of 35 homers is the third most by a Rays player in a single year, with Carlos Pena holding the top two numbers (46 in 2007 and 39 in 2009). Longoria now is six RBI shy of reaching 100 for the third time in his career, and first since 2010.

— Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) reported that Steven Souza Jr. is heading to Nashville on Monday to see a specialist, who will look into what may be ailing his left hip. There are a wide range of outcomes, including potential season-ending surgery.

— In other surgery related news, the season is over for Orioles’ deadline acquisition Steve Pearce, who is in need of elbow surgery. Pearce, 33, started the season with Tampa Bay, and experienced right forearm/elbow discomfort throughout his time with the Rays. A free-agent at the end of the season, both Pearce and the Rays have expressed an interest in a reunion of sorts next season. Like Logan Morrison before him, one could only imagine that there will be an effect in Pearce’s stock due to the surgery.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays fall late to the Orioles, 5-4

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If you squint your eyes and pretend, last night's game between the Rays and the playoff contending Orioles was a sellout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

If you squint your eyes and pretend, last night’s game between the Rays and the playoff contending Orioles was a sellout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays scored four runs over the first and second innings, but squandered the lead and fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 5-4. Baltimore, who currently holds the top Wild-Card spot, has won seven of eight contests against Tampa Bay at home this season.


Source: FanGraphs

Early in the game, it appeared that Tampa Bay was en route to a fourth consecutive win. Kevin Kiermaier hit a first inning, one-out double to right that skipped just over the glove of Chris Davis, then Evan Longoria followed with a massive homer to left-center off Ubaldo Jimenez.

It was the second first inning homer for Longoria in as many days, and his career high 34th on the season — also tying the Rays’ single-season record for home runs by a right-handed batter (Jose Canseco, 1999).

The Rays were able to extend the lead in the second inning after Steven Souza Jr. singled to left, and Richie Shaffer followed with a two-run homer to left for a 4-0 lead.

At this point in the ballgame Souza had reached base in 11 of 17 plate appearances, while Shaffer’s blast was his first with the big league squad this season.

However, Jimenez found his stride and shutdown the Rays from then on, at one point retiring 14 of 16 batters. He ultimately posted seven solid innings and held the Rays scoreless over the remainder of his start, allowing the Orioles to chip away at the lead.

Chris Archer, meanwhile, worked around a pair of first inning errors before Pedro Alvarez put Baltimore on the board in the second with a homer to right-center. Then in the fourth inning, Chris Davis hit an opposite field homer to left, making it a two-run game. Archer was otherwise stingy through through six, posting a decent 6.1 IP/7 H/3 ER/1 BB/4 2 HR line on 100 pitches (63 strikes, 14-of-27 first pitch strikes, 13 whiffs).

Baltimore threatened in the seventh, yet a big play by The Outlaw kept the Rays in front. After allowing back-to-back, one-out singles to JJ Hardy and Michael Bourn, Archer departed the game with the lead intact. Danny Farquhar, dead set on blowing things for the Rays ace, entered in relief and promptly plunked Adam Jones with his first pitch, loading the bases.

Outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim was next, and he drove a ball to the wall in right-center, yet Kiermaier — timing the fly-ball perfectly, then making a leap in front of the wall — prevented the ball from leaving the ballpark for a grand slam. The ball, however, fell out of his glove as he crashed into the wall, leading to (as BA called it) the longest single ever seen, making it a 4-3 game.

Though Kiermaier was visibly upset with himself, for what he likely deemed to be a misplay, bringing that ball back was pivotal — Farquhar recovered to strike out Manny Machado and Davis (both swinging) to end the threat, each in eight-pitch at-bats.

If there’s one thing we know to be true, you can’t keep the Orioles down for long…especially when you don’t execute your pitches. And though the Rays maintained a late lead, albeit a shaky one-run lead, the Orioles once again showed why they are in playoff contention, and Tampa Bay isn’t.

Brad Boxberger, who got two key outs the previous day, took the mound for Tampa Bay. Yet unlike Thursday, Boxberger promptly walked Jonathan Schoop and Pedro Alvarez, then hit Matt Wieters with a 1-2 pitch — loading the bases with none out. With Baltimore’s fans loudly singing the chorus Seven Nation Army, Hardy hit a ground ball deep into the hole at short. And while Alexei Ramirez fielded the play cleanly, he couldn’t fire off a throw to any of the bases — consequently allowing the tying run to score. Bourn then followed with a sac-fly to left, making it 5-4. Boxberger and Ryan Garton paired up for the final two outs of the from, but the damage was already done.

Zach Britton, the league’s only closer without a blown save, took the mound for the Orioles in the ninth and was able to keep his streak alive. Steven Souza Jr. came close to handing Britton his first blown save of the season, working an 11-pitch at-bat before flying out to the warning track in left for the second out. Undeterred, Mikie Mahtook singled off second base before Ramirez lined a base hit into the left-field corner on a 3-2 pitch. Mahtook, who was off with the pitch, tried to score all the way from first, but was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

Rays fall, 5-4.

The New What Next

Matt Andriese (7-7, 4.46 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays, opposite of Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.68 ERA) in the third game of the set. Andriese Snapped a 17-game, eight-start dry spell with solid start on Sunday against the Yankees, allowing one run in five innings. He is 0-3 with a 9.24 in five games (two starts) against the Orioles. Tillman has struggled a bit, going 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA in six games following a 14-2, 3.18 ERA start to the season. Saturday marks his 25th career start against Tampa Bay, over which he is 8-9, with a 4.09 ERA, having allowed 156 baserunners in 141 innings. You can read more about the pitching matchup, in our series preview.

Rays 9/17/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller SS
Dickerson DH
Souza RF
Shaffer 1B
Mahtook LF
Casali C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier currently has a 22 defensive runs saved (DRS) rating, good enough for third in Major League Baseball. It should be noted, hose ahead of him have played at least 50 more games this season.

The New What Next: Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles — a series preview

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Latest call-up, Luke Maile (left) caught 12-of-38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season for the Durham Bulls. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Latest call-up, Luke Maile (left) caught 12-of-38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season for the Durham Bulls. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The long stretch until the end of the season — AKA the Tampa Bay Rays miracle run — begins Friday, when the Baltimore Orioles travel to St. Petersburg for a three game series.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.43.02 PM

While the Rays are mired in a 3-25 stretch, the Orioles, who sit at the top of the AL East, have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games, including a four-game victimization/sweep by the Seattle Mariners. Be that as it may, I won’t cherry pick statistics to demonstrate  why Tampa Bay, some how…some way, will eke out a series win. Why? Because if we’ve learned anything from this ugly stretch of play, it’s that the Rays have regressed back to the Devil Rays.

Sure, it would be phenomenal for the team to snap out of this funk, and to be honest, it’s not like they don’t have the capability to do so. Besides the Rays are now closer to full strength with the re-addition of Kevin Kiermaier, as well as the additions of Kevin Jepsen and Luke Maile, who will take the place of Hank Conger on the active roster.

Then again, the team has been…uhh, rather surprising all season, so make your own inference.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.42.35 PM

Kevin Cash will throw Chris Archer (4-12, 4.66 ERA), Matt Moore (5-6, 4.46 ERA), and Jake Odorizzi (3-5, 4.47 ERA) over the next three days. Buck Showalter will counter with Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 5.82 ERA), Chris Tillman (12-2, 3.41 ERA), and a player to be named ahead of Sunday’s contest.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.42.09 PM

Rays Series Starters

Archer dished up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks in a loss to the Red Sox on Friday. He struck out just three. Archer fell behind frequently, a recipe for disaster against any lineup. He was able to notch only nine (of 26) first-pitch strikes  and coaxed 10 whiffs on 116 pitches. Archer is one loss away from equaling his career-high mark set last season, while his four wins currently rank as his lowest total since 2012 when he fired only 29-1/3 innings. Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) the answer to his extensive first-inning struggles is internal:

It’s not that I need to warm up more or warm up less, it’s just a matter of whenever I’m on the mound of attacking hitters.

Moore allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings against Boston last Saturday. The southpaw gave up a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, and the Rays’ offense failed to offer him any support, leading to his sixth loss of the season. He’s held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, allowing him to lower his ERA to 4.46.

Odorizzi gave up four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings last Sunday, while fanning only four. Jake wasn’t sharp, throwing 52 of 86 pitches for strikes (60% K%; six whiffs), although with David Price dealing for the Red Sox, Odorizzi would have had to match him pitch-for-pitch for a shot at a win. He’s put together just one quality start over his last six starts, and added a full run to his ERA (4.47) heading into the All-Star Break.

Orioles Series Starters

Gallardo allowed two runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out two in a five inning no decision against the Angels on Saturday. Gallardo shut down the Angels for five innings, yet allowed a pair of runs in the sixth inning, leaving the game with a one run deficit. The righty has fired just one quality start in his nine outings this season, and his ERA sits at 5.82. Gallardo allowed three runs on seven hits (including a homer) over 5-1/3 innings against the Rays on June 24. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (4-6, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Logan Forsythe (4-13, 2B), Desmond Jennings (2-8, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (3-7, 2B, RBI, BB), Brad Miller (2-8, 2B, 3B)

Tillman was good over seven innings on Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits. He, however, walked five batters. His record is superb, although Tillman’s wobbled a bit lately — posting a 5.02 ERA and a 1.33 K/BB over his last five starts. The Rays tagged him for six runs on 10 hits (including a homer) and two walks over five innings on June 25. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (9-28, 3 2B, RBI, BB), Brandon Guyer (3-11), Evan Longoria (17-57, 4 2B, 7 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB), Logan Morrison (5-11, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (4-16, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

At the time of his expected activation, Maile was hitting .345 with six doubles and two homers in 17 games with Triple-A Durham since June 21. He also caught 12 of 38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season.

I’ve just been trying to be myself, Maile told the Times. There’s been some times when I’ve tried to do a little bit too much.

Injury Report

— Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on Thursday with no apparent issues. Because he left his previous rehab start after one inning and 27 pitches due to fatigue, Cobb will get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled start.

— Steve Pearce (hamstring) worked out on Thursday and ran the bases, saying he felt very good. He plans to start a rehab assignment this weekend and is slated to rejoin the team next week.

— Brad Boxberger (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, but will need an extended rehab before he can return to the fold.

— Desmond Jennings (hamstring) and Mikie Mahtook (broken left hand) are still working out.