X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

Rays 7/29/18 pregame notes, injury update (Ramos, Snell, Nuno), Archer trade rumors

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Jesus Sucre and the Rays can earn a series split with a win this afternoon, in Baltimore. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a pair of blowouts by the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back on Sunday, and earn a series split of the four-game set in Baltimore. Tampa Bay is 6-6 this season against Baltimore, but has allowed 10 runs or more in three of the last four games at Camden Yards. In spite of the loss though, the Rays start the day 8-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot thanks to losses by both the Mariners and Athletics — but 1/2 game behind the Angels, who will start a series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Rays have had a tough time on the road over the past couple of months, going 7-19 since May 31st. By comparison, they have won 17 of their last 21 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay has allowed at least 10 runs four times.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (0-2, 3.78 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos was recalled from Durham on the last home stand, and he pitched well in his last turn on the mound. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in 6-2/3 innings on Tuesday. It was the longest start of his big-league career, as Chirinos threw 87 pitches (60 strikes, 69% strike rate) and faced 27 batters. With Yonny fully stretched out, he should be good for 90+ pitches this afternoon.

Dylan Bundy has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts, and he’s given up five homers total over that stretch. Bundy has faced Tampa Bay twice this  season, giving up eight runs in 4-2/3 innings in a 9-5 Rays win at the Trop in April, but blanking them over seven shutout innings in a 17-1 loss in Baltimore. All told, Bundy is 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3, 2B), Carlos Gomez (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Mallex Smith (4-9, RBI, 2 BB), Joey Wendle (2-6, 2B, RBI)

Rays 7/29/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Perez C
Robertson 2B
Smith CF
Gomez RF
Adames SS
Chirinos RHP

Noteworthiness

— With the trade deadline looming on July 31 at 4:00 PM, there is nothing Chris Archer can do but sit, wait, and wonder if he’ll make his next start in a Rays uniform Tuesday night.

Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he was “curious” how the situation was going to be resolved after Friday’s so-so six-inning outing.

He plans to distance himself from the speculation over the next few days.

The way I have chosen to handle it is try and be as disconnected as possible. Trying to figure it out is literally impossible.

I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with my teammates regardless of the situation. We have a bunch of young, bright faces in here and it’s fun to be around them.

Atlanta, San Diego and and the Evil Empire are considered among the most interested teams, while weekend reports suggest Los Angeles and Pittsburgh may be added to the list.

Yet still…

Well put, Cespedes Family BBQ.

— The chances Wilson Ramos to be traded by Tuesday’s deadline have diminished with the news that a rehab outing planned for Monday will likely be pushed back due to how his strained left hamstring felt catching Vidal Nuno’s live batting practice during a workout on Saturday in Port Charlotte.

Wilson had a good day but I think he realized that it’s probably not quite going to happen on Monday, manager Kevin Cash said. I think he got really excited and realized once you add some adrenaline in there, it’s not the easiest thing to manage yourself running down a line or popping up out of a catching crouch. So he’s probably going to be a couple more days until we start talking a rehab.

— Blake Snell said his previously fatigued shoulder continues to feel good, although the big test will be a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday.

(That) will tell what’s going to happen, Snell said. (Today) is a big day.

The Rays will likely wait to see how the southpaw feels on Monday before making any decisions, but if all goes well he could rejoin the rotation as soon as Wednesday.

— Nuno’s live batting practice session went well, and he is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Stone Crabs.

— Depending on the status of Archer and Snell, Tampa Bay plans to use LHP Jalen Beeks, RHP Yonny Chirinos and LHP Ryan Yarbrough on a modified five-or-six-day schedule, although usually behind an opener.

LBWMF: Rays hold on to defeat the Orioles, 4-3

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The Rays took down the birds, as expected, in Baltimore Thursday night, 4-3. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays scored two crucial runs in the seventh inning on Thursday, allowing them to cobble together a 4-3 road win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays enter the day within a game of their high-water mark after taking the first of four contests against Baltimore, earning 1/2 game on the Seattle Mariners in the AL Wildcard race with 58 left to play.

Hunter Wood opened the game for Tampa Bay and got the first five outs, collecting three punch outs (Tim Beckham swinging, Adam Jones swinging, Chris Davis looking) along the way. Ryan Yarbrough, who was credited with the win, came on in relief of Wood with runners at first and second and two outs in the second inning … and promptly walked Jace Peterson to load the bases. But after he got ahead of Caleb Joseph 1-2, Yarbrough got Baltimore’s catcher to fly out to left to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Alex Cobb held his former team hitless over the first three frames, but the Rays changed all that when they got on the board in the fourth inning. Kevin Kiermaier led off the frame by lining a double to centerfield before Jake Bauers drove him home on a one out single through the right side. After CJ Cron moved Bauers up to second on a grounder to third, Ji-Man Choi grounded a two-out single to left, plating a run. Choi started his tenure in Tampa Bay on a 2-for-15 cold streak, although he has collected 15 hits (including two Thursday night) since.

The dreaded leadoff walk would come back to bite Yarbrough in the fifth inning, after Tim Beckham drew a free pass, the first of two mistakes by the left-hander, and Jonathan Schoop followed with a two-run homer that landed just inside the left field foul pole — his second mistake.

However, Yarbrough settled down to retire six of the next eight batters, working 4-1/3 innings overall — his longest outing since June 28 against Houston. Yarbs earned his ninth win of the season, the second-most on the Rays pitching staff behind Blake Snell (12).

Tampa Bay struck back in the top of the seventh, and it all began with Choi, who nearly gave the team a leadoff homer that bounced high off the left-field wall which the umpires ruled a double. After a lengthy review of the play, the call on the field somehow stood. Watch the video (below) and decide for yourself.

Nevertheless, Joey Wendle moved Choi up to third on a single to center before Adeiny Hechavarria drove him in for the go ahead run two batters later, chasing Cobb.

Hechavarria’s go-ahead single | 07/26/2018

Adeiny Hechavarria singles into left field, scoring Ji-Man Choi to help the Rays regain the lead at 3-2 in the 7th

Paul Fry entered in relief, and even though he was able to coax a double play out of Daniel Robertson, he hit Mallex Smith with a pitch and walked Kiermaier to load the bases. Enter former Ray, Jhan Marinez. The right-hander threw a comebacker to Matt Duffy, but a throwing error by Marinez allowed Wendle to score an important insurance run.

Sergio Romo entered against the top of the order in the bottom of the seventh and put down Schoop, Jones and Mark Trumbo in order despite allowing a one out single. Thanks kindly, ground ball double play! But in the bottom of the eighth Romo gave up a solo homer to Chris Davis, cutting the Rays lead to a run. Romo bounced back and collected two fly-ball outs to set up closer Austin Pruitt.

Pruitt struck out Peterson to end the eighth, and retired the Orioles in order in the ninth to record his third career save — his first of less than three innings in length. All three of Pruitt’s saves have come against Baltimore.

The New What Next

Chris Archer (3-4, 4.30 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays amid trade speculation, pitching opposite of Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.40 ERA).

Chris Archer allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out 13 over six innings against the Marlins on Sunday. Archer collected a season-high 13 strikeouts in his 16th outing of the season and now sits with a 3.41 K/BB over 90 innings of work. Archer looks to improve his 4.30 ERA ahead of the trade deadline.

Andrew Cashner allowed one run on six hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. He struck out two. Cashner surrendered his lone run in the fourth inning, and he was lifted from the game in the sixth inning after throwing 79 pitches (51 strikes, 65% strike rate). While Cashner improved on his previous outing (five runs over 6-1/3 innings vs. the Yankees), he couldn’t collect the victory. The 31-year-old is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA against the Rays this season after allowing five runs on 11 hits and four walks over five innings on May 26. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Daniel Robertson (3-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (1-3, 3B, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles part four — a series preview

Rays 7/27/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Wendle 2B
Bauers 1B
Choi DH
Robertson 3B
Smith LF
Gomez RF
Perez C
Adames SS
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made their third July trade Thursday night, dealing Jonny Venters back to the Braves in exchange for an international signing slot.

The Rays have recalled RHP Andrew Kittredge to add to the bullpen for now. In 30-1/3 innings for Durham, Kittredge is 4–0 with a 2.62 ERA. The Rays have two open 40-man roster spots, although one will be used when Jacob Faria comes off the 60-day DL. It’s possible the Rays may wait to add current players in the system to the 40-man roster until after the trade deadline on Tuesday.

Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote about the trade, saying:

The 33-year-old Venters went 1–1 with a 3.86 ERA (14-IP, 6-ER) in 22 appearances (one start) this season with the Rays. As a reliever, he pitched to a 0.66 ERA (13.2-IP, 1-ER) in his 21 apps, giving up five runs in his one outing as an opener.

Venters joinned the Rays on April 25th, and made his Tampa Bay debut that night. It was his first appearance in the majors in 2,028 days — since the National League Wild Card Game on October 5, 2012 (with Atlanta). Incidentally, it was the last major league game of former teammate Chipper Jones, who will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. He became the second pitcher to ever return to the majors after three Tommy John surgeries, following Jason Isringhausen, according to FanGraphs.

The deal gave the Rays more flexibility with signing players internationally, where Tampa Bay has been quite successful lately.

Maybe more important in the near term, the move creates roster space for several Durham pitchers who have excelled in Triple-A. It also allows Venters’ great story to continue back with Atlanta.

Venters underwent Tommy John surgery in 2005, 2013 and 2014. He originally signed with the Rays as a minor league free agent on March 11, 2015, and returned from his third Tommy John surgery to make five appearances for Class-A Charlotte in 2016 before the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow was torn for a fourth time. He underwent an additional “half-Tommy John,” performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to reattach the ligament, and made 24 apps in the minors in 2017.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Venters was the first former All-Star to return to the majors after missing at least five years since Justin Thompson, who was an All-Star in 1997 and pitched for the Texas Rangers on August 18, 2005 in his first game since August 15, 1999.

Venters was selected by the Braves in the 30th round of the 2003 June Draft out of Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL. He spent parts of three seasons (2010–12) with the Braves, going 15–10 with a 2.23 ERA (229.2-IP, 57-ER) while forming a dangerous back end of the Braves bullpen with Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty. During that span, he ranked among major league relief leaders in apps (230, tied for second), strikeouts (258, fourth), wins (15, tied for fourth) and ERA (eighth).

— Tampa Bay has the opportunity to make up some ground in the Wildcard race tonight, as Seattle is set to start a three-game series against the fringe contending Angles, while Oakland will take on the 54-47 Rockies in the first of three.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles part four — a series preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays left the confines of Tropicana Field after a 3-3 home stand, including another series win against the New York Yankees. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays head to Baltimore to battle the last place Orioles in a four-game series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, starting Thursday. The Rays rebounded from an ugly series loss against Miami to take two of three from the Yankees, while the Orioles split a rain shortened two-game set against Boston.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay made a pair of trades that will impact the team in the present and future tenses, dealing Nathan Eovaldi and Matt Andriese for southpaw Jalen Beeks, catcher Michael Pérez and RHP Brian Shaffer. Beeks and Pérez are expected to join the team on the road in Baltimore.

Pérez, 25, is highly regarded for his defensive prowess as well as his ability to hit right-handed pitching. He’s gunned down 34.8% of would be base stealers this season, and is slashing .284 BA/.342 OBP/.417 SLG/.759 OPS/.338 wOBA/99 wRC+ with nine doubles, six homers and 29 RBI in 58 games for Triple-A Reno. He is a career .246 BA/.321 OBP/.396 SLG/.717 OPS hitter over 572 games across eight Minor League seasons.

In adding the new backstop to the roster, the Rays designated catcher Adam Moore for assignment. The tandem of Jesus Sucre and Pérez should, if anything, help maintain the team’s offensive productivity over the balance of the season, especially if Wilson Ramos is moved within the next month.

When Perez and Beeks appear in a game, that will mean the Rays have had 19 rookies play and 48 different players this season. The youth wave has been learning and winning at the same time.

The Rays enter the series as fringe contenders in the AL Wildcard race, which isn’t lost on General Manager Erik Neander. Yet they are expected to make a few more deals by the trade deadline, with SS Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Carlos Gomez, Ramos, and RHP Sergio Romo said to be on the market. Yet the moves shouldn’t be viewed as a team that is conceding or waiving the white flag, rather the Rays are working on the now rather than only the distant future.

I hope that the current look and feel of this team and this roster, that there’s a different vibe to our fans than there has been the last few years, Neander said. I really hope that. There is for us. There is in the clubhouse. Will we win more games this year than we did last year? I don’t know. But there’s a trend line on this, there’s an arrow that’s pointing up instead of neutral with this group and what’s ahead of them, and it gives a lot of hope and excitement for the future. And that’s different.

That changes the focus a little bit, to just being a little more balanced to the now than the future than I think we have been.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays enter the series with Baltimore nine games back in the AL Wildcard race with an easier schedule over than either the Mariners (13 series vs. +.500 teams) or Athletics (12 series vs. +500 teams) with just over two months left to play. A series win would give Tampa Bay a W/L record of five or six games over .500 by the time the returns home for a nine-game home stand against three sub .500 ball clubs. Meanwhile, the Athletics will move on to a series against the fringe contending Rockies, while the Mariners have a few games against the Angels before they face the AL West leading Houston Astros.

All this is to say the Rays find themselves with an excellent opportunity to gain some ground in the Wildcard race against the worst team in baseball, which happens to be in the throes of a historically bad season.

Pitching Probables

As of right now the Rays have confirmed one opener and one starter for the series: Hunter Wood (0-0, 2.93 ERA) and Chris Archer (3-4, 4.30 ERA). The known known, Jaylen Beeks (5-5, 2.89 ERA at AAA) is expected to pitch at some point during the series … I assumed that might be on Saturday, although that will likely change. I’ll update things as they become clear. Buck Showalter will counter with Alex Cobb (2-13, 6.17 ERA), Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.40 ERA), Kevin Gausman (4-8, 4.54 ERA), and Yefry Ramirez (1-3, 4.24 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Hunter Wood allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings against the Yankees on Monday. Kevin Cash elected to use Wood as an opener for the second time this season, and he was lifted after tossing 37 pitches. Wood has been an effective arm out of the ‘pen this season, as he’s posted a 2.93 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 15-1/3 innings. However, 4.40 FIP suggest regression is due. Whatever the case, the right-handed Austin Pruitt or Ryan Yarbrough figure to pitch the bulk of the innings on Thursday.

Alex Cobb allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks against Toronto on Saturday. He struck out four. The former Ray got through three scoreless innings without really being threatened before he gave up three runs in a fourth inning in which Tim Beckham’s error played a key role. Since three of the four runs were unearned, Cobb lowered his ERA to a still-ugly 6.17. So far he is 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts this season (10-1/3 innings) against his former team. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (2-6, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Daniel Robertson (1-4, 2B, RBI), Mallex Smith (2-4, 2B), Joey Wendle (3-5, 2 RBI)

Chris Archer allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out 13 over six innings against the Marlins on Sunday. Archer collected a season-high 13 strikeouts in his 16th outing of the season and now sits with a 3.41 K/BB over 90 innings of work. Archer looks to improve his 4.30 ERA ahead of the trade deadline (it now appears the Rays may hold on to the right-hander).

Andrew Cashner allowed one run on six hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. He struck out two. Cashner surrendered his lone run in the fourth inning, and he was lifted from the game in the sixth inning after throwing 79 pitches (51 strikes, 65% strike rate). While Cashner improved on his previous outing (five runs over 6-1/3 innings vs. the Yankees), he couldn’t collect the victory. The 31-year-old is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA against the Rays this season after allowing five runs on 11 hits and four walks over five innings on May 26. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Daniel Robertson (3-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (1-3, 3B, RBI)

Jaylen Beeks is 34-28 with a 3.63 ERA in parts of five Minor League seasons, including a 5-5 record and a 3.29 ERA with Triple-A Pawtucket this season. He had two appearances for Boston in 2018, but he didn’t fare too well. In his first start against Detroit, Beeks allowed six runs over four innings of work, and in a relief appearance against the Rangers he allowed three runs in 2-1/3 innings. Yet in in Triple-A, he was named to the All-Star Game thanks in part to a 33% strikeout rate which leads qualified pitchers in the league. He’s also only walking seven percent of opposing batters.

Stuff wise, Beeks previously relied on a two-seam fastball and a slider at the start of his career, although he currently relies on a 92 mph four-seam fastball, a whiffy 86 mph changeup, a 75 mph curveball with sharp downward bite, and an 88 mph cutter with good “rise,” which has aided in his growth.

Kevin Gausman gave up five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over 4-2/3 innings on Monday against the Red Sox. Gausman allowed a second inning solo homer, followed by four runs in the fifth on just three hits. He exited the ballgame with a five-run deficit after tossing 79 pitches (44 strikes, 56% strike rate). The right-hander has struggled over his past two outings, surrendering 10 runs over 9-2/3 innings while striking out just four. Gausman is 1-1 in two starts this season against Tampa Bay. In his first outing he surrendered just two runs on 11 hits over 7-1/3 innings of work, but his second start against the Rays didn’t go nearly as well, as Gausman allowed seven runs on six hit over 2-2/3 innings on May 27. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (5-15, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-4), Mallex Smith (3-12, 3B, RBI, BB), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (2-6, RBI)

Tampa Bay’s starter in the series finale is TBA.

Yefry Ramirez allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out six. Ramirez gave up three solo home runs but otherwise earned his first big league win against one of the top offenses in baseball. The 24-year-old has been solid through his first six starts with a 3.49 ERA/4.61 FIP, 1.16 WHIP and 3.00 K/BB over 28-1/3 innings. This season he has relied primarily on his 87 mph cutter with strong cutting action, an 83 mph changeup and a 90 mph sinker with some armside run, while also mixing in a 91 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph slider.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part two

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Oriole Park at Camden Yards, site of the upcoming four-game series between the Rays and the Orioles. (Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun)

So it begins, the Tampa Bay Rays are set begin the most important stretch of their season on Friday, a period of action that finds them playing 40 games in 41 days. First stop Baltimore, where they are set to take on the Orioles in a four-game, three-day series starting Friday.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The American League East rivals met late last month in Baltimore, and the Rays took each of the two encounters that occurred. Unfortunately the first game of that series was rained out, hence the doubleheader on Saturday. Tampa Bay’s offense has fallen off the last few games, although the team is batting .259 (fifth in MLB) and boasts a .331 on-base percentage (sixth in MLB). The Rays are hovering around .500 but have lost three in a row.

Meanwhile, Baltimore is the worst team in baseball but at least they managed to put an end to an eight-game losing streak by beating Kansas City both on Wednesday and Thursday, consequently winning the series. The Orioles are 29th in batting average, 30th in on-base percentage, 27th in slugging percentage, and 29th in runs scored.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will turn to Jake Faria (3-1, 4.15 ERA), the bullpen (6-10, 4.35 ERA), Chris Archer (2-2, 5.32 ERA) and Blake Snell (4-2, 2.40 ERA). Buck Showalter will counter with Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.30 ERA), Alex Cobb (0-4, 7.61 ERA), a pitcher to be named later, and Dylan Bundy (1-5, 5.31 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Jake Faria allowed one run on three hits and a walk over 5-1/3 innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday. He struck out out four. The right-hander has now allowed no more than one run in five of his seven starts this season, although he has only lasted long enough to produce two quality starts thanks to the Rays reluctance to allow certain hurlers to face batters three times through the order. Faria is 1-0 with a 4.78 in five games (four starts) against Baltimore.

Kevin Gausman allowed just two hits and two walks while fanning six across nine scoreless innings on Saturday. He, however, did not factor into the decision. Gausman’s line is slightly misleading, as only 66 of his 113 pitches went for strikes. He also threw a low percentage first pitch strikes, although it did not come back to haunt him via walks or hard contact. Since getting knocked around for six earned runs in his season debut, Gausman has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his following six starts, and now owns a neat 3.30 ERA over 43-2/3 innings. This season he has relied on his 93 mph four-seam fastball with arm-side run and an 83 mph worm killer splitter, while also mixing in an 81 mph 12-6 slider. He is 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-10, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Wilson Ramos (2-8, HR, RBI), Rob Refsnyder (3-8, 2B, BB), Mallex Smith (3-7, 3B, BB), Denard Span (4-9, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI)

I will update this piece when Saturday’s starter for the Rays is announced.

Alex Cobb allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, while striking out five over six innings in a loss to the Athletics on Sunday. Cobb has put together back-to-back quality starts, although he is bereft of his first win of the season. His offense failed him Sunday, as the Orioles were able to push across just one run. In spite of solid performances in his last two outings, Cobb still sits with a 7.61 ERA/5.32 FIP and 2.03 WHIP as a result of a disastrous start to the season. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Brad Miller (4-9, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (1-2), Denard Span (2-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (2-3, RBI)

Chris Archer fanned six, walked none and scattered five hits over seven strong innings on Sunday. Previous to this start, Archer had performed to a 6.05 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP, but he notched his second consecutive quality start and his third in his last four outings. His current peripherals still aren’t pretty, and he hasn’t been striking out batters at quite as prolific a rate as he had in the past, but he appears ready to move past his early season struggles and start to hack away at those ugly peripherals. Archer is 6-8 with a 4.92 ERA in 17 starts against Baltimore, including a 5-1/3 inning, four-run outing on April 26th.

I will update this piece when Saturday’s starter for the Orioles is announced.

Blake Snell allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 6-1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Braves. He struck out five. The southpaw threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 25 batters and induced 13 swinging strikes, allowing him to Atlanta’s lineup off balance for most of the night. His only real mistake came on a solo home run from Ronald Acuna in the third inning, on a slider that hung up over the middle of the plate. His loss was of the hard luck variety, as it was due to a lack of run support. Otherwise, Snell has been outstanding over his last six starts, allowing two runs or fewer in each while posting a 4.78 K/BB over that span. Snell is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore,

Dylan Bundy allowed seven runs on five hits and two walks while not recording an out in the 15-7 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday. Bundy allowed four home runs over over a seven batter span, and managed to do so with only 28 pitches. Over his last three outings, Bundy has allowed 22 runs (19 earned) on 23 hits (including nine home runs) across just nine innings. Bundy started the season with a fantastic 1.42 ERA across 31-2/3 innings — with 40 punch outs and only one home run allowed — but has recently looked like a completely different pitcher. Bundy has relied primarily on his 92 mph four-seam fastball and an 82 mph slider, while also mixing in a 75 mph curveball, 84 mph changeup and 92 mph sinker. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 7.61 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Carlos Gomez (1-4), Brad Miller (4-11, 2B, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (4-7, RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (2-3, 2B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Left-hander Anthony Banda will be promoted at some point this weekend. It is not immediately clear whether he would be added to the roster Friday (someone would need to be optioned to make room) or if he is being added as the 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader.

Banda is 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Durham, with 44 strikeouts and 16 walks over 36 innings. He was 2-3 with a 5.96 ERA in eight games last season for the Diamondbacks.

— The Rays have suffered another dent to their depth, as 21 year-old RHP Jose Mujica has been sidelined with a forearm strain. Mujica had shown well over his first six starts with Triple-A Durham, working to a 3.13 ERA with 32 punch outs against ten walks in 31-2/3 innings of work. His anticipated timeline is not yet known.

— The Orioles received another blow, as RHP Darren O’Day was placed on the 10-day DL with a hyper-extended right elbow. Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors) wrote about the injury, saying:

Eduardo A. Encina provides some insight into the injury that sent righty Darren O’Day to the 10-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. O’Day explains that a “freak accident” occurred during the middle innings of Tuesday’s game as he began stretching and getting loose. A teammate inadvertently ran into his arm while he was stretching it, hyperextending the right elbow and initially causing O’Day to fear that he’d suffered a serious injury. An MRI revealed no structural damage in O’Day’s right arm, and manager Buck Showalter actually said that the MRI was “remarkably good” for a pitcher in his mid-30s.

The New What Next: Rays Vs. Orioles — one final series preview

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Corey Dickerson and the the Rays took the final game of the series with the Yankees on Thursday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After salvaging a win in the series finale with the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays return home on Friday, where they will kick off their final series of the season. Enter the Baltimore Orioles.

(Stats: MLB.com)

Dubbed the Battle For Third Place in the AL East, the Rays must win these last three games to end the season with 80 wins, and in third place … this after falling out of contention on Tuesday, as well missing an opportunity to end the campaign with a better than .500 record. Baltimore is coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Pirates.

This dynamic duo of under performing ball clubs split a four-game set last weekend, and are knotted up at eight-games apiece in the season series — the Rays are 2-3 vs. Baltimore at home.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

When comparing pitching staffs over the last 14 days, one could assume that Tampa Bay has a major advantage over Baltimore, and they should be able to close out the season on a high note. The team also had a legitimate shot at sweeping the O’s last weekend, yet they couldn’t get the job done. The rest, as they say, is history; they dropped the next two games against the Yankees and consequently fell out of contention, relevancy, and favor with Bay Area sports fans that are now focused on the Bucs and Lightning.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the final three days Kevin Cash will turn to Jake Odorizzi (10-8, 4.26 ERA, 5.52 FIP), Chris Archer (9-12, 4.18 ERA, 3.43 FIP), and Blake Snell (4-7, 4.27 ERA, 4.46 FIP). Buck Showalter will counter with Wade Miley (8-14, 5.52 ERA, 5.22 FIP), and presumably Miguel Castro (3-2, 3.29 ERA, 4.87 FIP) and Kevin Gausman (11-11, 4.81 ERA, 4.56 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Odorizzi has enjoyed a strong finish to his 2017 season, which should build his trade value going into the off season; there already are trade rumors surrounding the lanky right-hander. In two of his last four starts, Odo carried a no-hitter through at least five innings. He is 3-1 with a 1.21 ERA in September — a 22-1/3 inning run that has included 26 strikeouts. He’s allowed just three earned runs over four September starts, allowing him to lower his ERA from 4.85 to 4.26. In his last turn, Odorizzi allowed a first-inning run, but silenced Baltimore’s hitters bats the rest of the way.

Miley has been awful throughout most of the season, yet he is looking to finish strong in his final start. In his last three outings, Miley has performed to a 13.94 ERA over 10-1/3 innings. He has performed similarly against Tampa Bay this season, allowing seven runs on nine hits and nine walks over 13 innings of work. If I may, that’s no way to throw if you’re looking to have the remaining option on your contract picked up this winter. I digress. Key Matchups: Lucas Duda (1-3), Adeiny Hechavarria (4-12, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (4-15, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (3-7, 2B, 3 RBI), Mallex Smith (1-3, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (6-22, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

Archer lost in Baltimore on Sunday after he allowed five earned runs on eight hits over just 3-2/3 innings of work. He looks to right the ship, and end the season on a high note, after dropping five consecutive decisions for the first time since June 11-July 15, 2016 (6). Over that span he has allowed 21 runs over 16-2/3 innings, making for a discouraging stretch.

Castro was handed a loss after he allowed two runs on one hit and three walks over a 1-2/3 inning relief appearance against Boston. He struck out two. The right-hander hasn’t started a game this season, so I wouldn’t expect him to pitch deeply on Saturday. In nine innings of relief work this season against Tampa Bay, Castro has allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits and and three walks. He has struck out three. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (1-1, 2B, BB), Adeiny Hechavarria (1-2), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), Evan Longoria (1-4, RBI, 2BB), Logan Morrison (1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (2-5, 2B, RBI)

Snell suffered a loss on Tuesday (his first since July 24) when the Yankees chased him after just one inning — snapping a 10-start unbeaten streak (the longest of his career). The poor start came on the heels of his best outing of the season, a 7 IP/2 H/0 ER/5 K outing against the Cubs.

Gausman wasn’t slated to start again this season, however, with Jeremy Hellickson unavailable due to a back issue, Showalter will hand him the ball for one final outing. He’s coming off a loss to Pittsburgh in which he allowed six runs in just four innings of work, but prior to that he performed to a 2.25 ERA in four September starts. The 26-year-old right-hander, that owns a 4.81 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 179-2/3 innings this season, Blanked the Rays over six innings on July 24 while fanning eight. Key Matchups: Curt Casali (3-8, 2B, RBI), Lucas Duda (1-4), Trevor Plouffe (4-9, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB), Cesar Puello (1-2, RBI), Wilson Ramos (2-8, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (2-4, 3B, BB), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI)