X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

Rays promote UTL Kean Wong; Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow rehab notes

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Utilityman Kean Wong was promoted to the big leagues on Thursday. (Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports)

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays promoted utilityman Kean Wong, who made his big league debut a few hours later. To make room for Wong on the 40-man roster, the Rays moved southpaw Jose Alvarado to the 60-day Injured List.

Wong was selected as a second baseman in the fourth-round of the 2013 draft. He began to see some time at third before he expanded his defensive repertoire to include shortstop and all three outfield positions.

Because of his versatility, Wong will fit right into a Rays lineup that values multi-positional flexibility. Wong, like Brandon Lowe, is also a southpaw hitter, giving the team a more balance among the middle infield options.  Wong joins Eric Sogard and Joey Wendle who bat from the left side, and Matt Duffy, Daniel Robertson, and Willy Adames who are all right-handed hitters.

Prior to his promotion, Wong found himself in the midst of a breakout season, slashing .307 BA/.375 OBP/.464 SLG/.839 OPS with 10 homers, 71 runs, and 63 runs batted in over 506 plate appearances for Triple-A Durham. The surge in power is noteworthy, as Wong’s previous high in SLG was .406.

Wong’s breakout yields some proof that he will be able to hit big-league pitching. Considering his gaudy 2019 numbers, the utilityman boasts a modest .287 BA/.342 OBP/.383 SLG/.725 OPS slash line across 3052 Minor League plate appearances.

Noteworthiness

— Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will pitch for Triple-A Durham on Saturday. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow threw a bullpen session on Thursday, and Kevin Cash is debating whether he will make another rehab appearance or rejoin the team. Cash said they want to do right by him and the team.

TNWN: Rays vs Tigers — a series preview

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Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Lowe helped make things interesting in the series finale against the Twins, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays hit the road en route to the Motor City, where they will face the Detroit Tigers over the next three days. Tampa Bay dropped three of four at home against the Twins after losing the series finale, 9-7, Sunday afternoon. Detroit dropped the rubber game of their three-game set on the road against Atlanta, losing 7-4 Sunday afternoon.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

After beating the Twins 14-3 in the series opener on Thursday, Tampa Bay dropped three consecutive games to close out the series. In short, the Rays were unable to contain Minnesota’s lineup. Even with the loss on Sunday, the Rays got two hits each from Austin Meadows (run, two RBI), Brandon Lowe (RBI) and Ji-Man Choi (two runs) while Christian Arroyo hit his second homer of the season, rallying from a 7-0 deficit to close the gap to two. They enter the series second in the AL East and 2-1/2 games behind the Yankees.

Detroit dropped the final two games of its road series in Atlanta as it was upended in the rubber match. The Tigers battled back from a three-run deficit to tie the game in the eighth inning before giving up four runs in the bottom of the frame. Grayson Greiner, JaCoby Jones, and Christin Stewart each homered in the loss. They enter the series fourth in the AL Central and 17 games behind the Twins.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays won the season series 4-2 last season, although the Tigers took two of three at Comerica Park July 9-11, 2018.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw starters Blake Snell (3-4, 3.06 ERA) and Charlie Morton (6-0, 2.54 ERA), and likely bulk guy Jalen Beeks (4-0, 3.02 ERA). Ron Gardenhire will counter with Ryan Carpenter (0-2, 7.58 ERA), Spencer Turnbull (3-4, 2.84 ERA), and Daniel Norris (2-4, 4.58 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed two runs on six hits and two walks across six innings in an extra-inning win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He struck out five. The left-hander served up a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel during a shaky first inning but otherwise kept Toronto off the board. Snell was in line for his fourth win of the season until Jose Alvarado gave up the lead in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old was able to lower his ERA to 3.06 and has a 1.04 WHIP and 4.88 K/BB across 61-2/3 innings this season.

Ryan Carpenter gave up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings on Wednesday. Carpenter worked efficiently against a poor Orioles lineup, needing only 79 pitches (50 strikes, 63% strike rate) to generate 15 outs. He allowed runs in the first and fourth innings, one of which came on a solo home run by Keon Broxton. Despite a relatively productive outing, Carpenter has a 7.58 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 19 innings and four starts this season. He relies primarily on an 82 mph slider with short glove-side cut and two-plane movement, and a 91 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, while also mixing in a 91 mph sinker with natural sinking action, a firm 85 mph changeup with arm-side fade, and a 77 mph curveball with sweeping glove-side movement. Carpenter has never faced the Rays. Key Matchup: Avisail Garcia (1-3)

Charlie Morton had more than enough run support on Thursday, and he responded by allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across seven innings on an efficient 87 pitches (62 strikes, 71% strike rate). He struck out six. Morton pitched to the minimum, allowing just one hit across the first four frames before the Twins got on the board in the fifth inning on a two-out single by Ehire Adrianza. Minnesota pushed across another run in the sixth inning on Max Kepler’s groundout. Morton likely could have gone deeper into the game, although the lopsided score allowed Kevin Cash to give Adam Kolarek and Oliver Drake a little work in the eighth and ninth innings. Consecutive quality starts have Morton’s ERA at an excellent 2.54 heading into his next scheduled start against Detroit.

Spencer Turnbull allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out two over six innings on Friday. Turnbull surrendered his only run of the night in the third inning on a groundout to short, and it was smooth sailing from there. Following Friday’s impressive start, Turnbull sports a 2.84 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with a 2.91 K/BB through 66-2/3 innings this season. He relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action, and a hard 87 mph worm-killer slider with two-plane movement, while also mixing in a 95 mph sinker with natural sinking action, and an 80 mph curveball with sharp downward bite. Turnbull has never faced the Rays.

Jalen Beeks allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 3-1/3 innings on Friday. Beeks cruised through his first two innings of work before getting roughed up in the fifth, yielding two runs on a pair of hits. Still, the 25-year-old southpaw has been solid out of the bulk inning role this season, posting a 3.02 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 44-2/3 innings of work.

Daniel Norris allowed six runs (five earned) across 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. He fanned four and walked two. Norris kept Atlanta off the board for the first three innings before he allowed two runs in each of the next two frames. He carries a 4.58 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 2.8 K/BB into the series finale on Thursday. He relies primarily on a 91 mph four-seam fastball, and an 84 mph slider with short glove-side cut, while also mixing in a whiffy 85 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone, a whiffy 91 mph sinker, and a 77 mph curveball with exceptional bite. Norris is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Avisail Garcia (2-8, 2 BB), Guillermo Heredia (5-8, HR, 3 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2, RBI), Daniel Robertson (2-5, 2 RBI, BB)

LBWMF: Rays look for the sweep after a 3-1 victory over the Jays

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Emilio Pagan getting some warm-up pitches in before he took the mound on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

Avisail Garcia and Austin Meadows both hit home runs on Tuesday, helping the Tampa Bay Rays to their fourth straight win, 3-1, over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays (33-19) moved to 14 games over .500 for the first time this season, and snared another series by winning the first two games of this set.

Tampa Bay took the lead in the first inning against starter Clayton Richard. Avisail Garcia led off the inning with a single to left and Tommy Pham walked, putting a pair of runners on on with none out. Austin Meadows followed with a hard hit grounder to the hole at second for the first out inning, although it did allow both runners to move into scoring position. After Willy Adames worked a nine-pitch at-bat — in which he walked, subsequently loading the bases — Travis “the Quiet Storm” d’Arnaud followed with a long sacrifice fly to center, making it 1-0. Tampa Bay has now have outscored the opposition 37-16 in the first inning.

In the third inning, Garcia lifted a 287 foot high fly ball into right-field to lead off the third. Right-fielder Randall Grichuk attempted to track the ball but lost it in the roof. As the ball, which landed about 30 feet behind him, bounded away, Garcia circled the bases for his 10th homer of the season, and the first inside the park homer of his career. It was the second inside the park homer for Tampa Bay in a week (Kevin Kiermaier in Cleveland).

Meadows capped the Rays scoring with his third homer in as many days.

The line drive shot came off left-hander Thomas Pannone in the seventh inning.

On the pitching side of things, Ryne Stanek took the mound as the opener for the Rays. Stanek worked two scoreless frames and gave up just one hit and one walk, while striking out one on an efficient 26 pitches (16 strikes, 62% strike rate). The right-hander has thrown scoreless baseball in 13 of 15 appearances as an opener.

Ryan Yarbrough followed Stanek and fired 3-2/3 scoreless innings, issuing one walk and recording a strikeout. The lefty got out of a second and third none-out jam in the fourth inning by coaxing a pop-up out of Grichuk, a ground ball out to third from Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and whiffing Brandon Drury to put the kibosh on Toronto’s best early scoring opportunity.

Yarbrough had allowed a combined 12 earned runs across his previous three appearances, yet he needed just 53 pitches to finish with his second scoreless effort of the season.

Chaz Roe took over for the last out in the sixth, while Emilio Pagan worked around a single against the shift in the seventh, and punched out the side in the eighth.

Diego Castillo did have a challenging ninth inning, however, he was still able to pick up his sixth save of the season. Grichuk singled with one out to center, and Gurriel hit a ground-rule double that bounced over the side wall in right, putting both runners into scoring position. After Drury hit a sacrifice fly to center, which prevented the shutout, Castillo got Danny Jansen to ground to second, ending the game.

The New What Next

The Rays will look to sweep the series on Wednesday with Blake Snell (3-4, 3.07 ERA) starting for the Rays, pitching opposite of Trent Thornton (1-4, 4.42 ERA).

Blake Snell allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven across 6-2/3 innings on Friday. The only run allowed by him came on a fourth inning on a solo homer to right field. Snell nearly managed to get through seven innings but was pulled with two outs in the seventh after 104 pitches (65 strikes, 63% strike rate). The southpaw has turned in quality starts in three of his last four outings, although he has not won decision since May 6 because the offense has given him just three runs of support. Snell owns a 3.07 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 5.2 K/BB over 55-2/3 innings of work this season. He shut down the Jays in April, limiting them to just one hit while striking out nine.

Trent Thornton gave up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over six innings on Friday. Thornton surrendered two runs in the third inning and another in the fifth before exiting the contest. The right-hander was able to turn in his second consecutive quality start, although he wasn’t able to pick up the victory in either outing. Thornton carries a 4.42 ERA with 60 punchouts over 55 frames on the season. The Rays hammered the 25-year-old on April 12, touching him for five runs on eight hits (including three homers) and two walks in three innings of work. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2), Ji-Man Choi (1-2, 2B), Avisail Garcia (2-2), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 3B, RBI), Brandon Lowe (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Austin Meadows (2-2, 2HR, 2 RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup is below.

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

Rays 5/29/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows DH
  2. Pham LF
  3. Choi 1B
  4. B. Lowe 2B
  5. Garcia RF
  6. Kiermaier CF
  7. Adames SS
  8. Kratz C
  9. Robertson 3B
  10. Snell RHP

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part two

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Blake Snell will get the start on Saturday, pitching opposite of Masahiro Tanaka.

The Tampa Bay Rays will cap their five-game road trip in New York, where they will face the Yankees for the second consecutive weekend, starting Friday. Both teams are coming off two-game sweeps of the Marlins and Orioles respectively.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Even though the Rays were limited to five runs total by the Marlins over the last two days, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff held Miami’s offense scoreless over the span of the series (18 innings). They look to exact some revenge on the Yankees, who took two-of-three from the Rays last weekend.

That would appear to be an easy task on paper after all New York has underperformed the league average by 14% over the last 14 days (as it relates to wRC+). The -5.4 wRAA over the same stretch certainly doesn’t look too pretty either. On their end, the Rays have outperformed their rivals, posting a 103 wRC+ and a 1.6 wRAA over that same 14-day stretch.

However, the Rays learned a firsthand lesson last weekend: they, like most teams in the league, are no match for the backend of the Yankee’s A-bullpen. If they are going to take two-of-three — in the very least — from the Evil Empire, the Rays will have to strike early and often, and protect any leads they may hold.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

With Anthony Bemboom hitting the IL along with catchers Michael Perez and Mike Zunino, the Rays acquired veteran backstop Erik Kratz from the Giants for either a player to be named later or cash.

Kratz was designated for assignment by the Giants earlier this week, and he will now suit up for the ninth different team in 10 big league seasons in which he slashed a combined .208 BA/.256 OBP/.360 SLG/.616 OPS/.266 wOBA lined, with an overall 3.8 fWAR. However, he is seven seasons removed from a 2.1 fWAR campaign with the Phillies. Kratz will back up Travis d’Arnaud, himself a recent acquisition, and it’s probably safe to assume that his time with the Rays will be short as players begin to return from injury.

Whatever the case, Kratz is expected to join the team on Friday, while Aaron Slegers was designated for assignment to make room for the catcher.

Rays Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on bulk innings guy Yonny Chirinos ()5-1, 3.61 ERA, Blake Snell (3-4, 3.56 ERA), and Charlie Morton (4-0, 2.32 ERA). Aaron Boone will counter with CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.26 ERA), Masahiro Tanaka (3-3, 3.44 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale on Sunday.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Yonny Chirinos earned the win against New York on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out two and walked one. Chirinos followed opener Ryne Stanek in the third inning, and while he wasn’t at his best, Tampa Bay scored five runs between the sixth and eighth innings to lock up his victory. The right-hander has a 3.61 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 3.88 K/BB across 42-1/3 innings. Chirinos is 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 14-2/3 innings against the Yankees.

CC Sabathia struck out two and allowed two runs on three hits and four walks across five innings on Saturday. The slovenly southpaw was removed after five frames despite throwing only 76 pitches (49 strikes, 64% strike rate), only to see the ‘pen immediately relinquish two runs after his exit. Sabathia has yet to complete six frames this season and has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one outing. He is now 17-16 with a 3.67 ERA across 49 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Travis d’Arnaud (2-6, 2 BB), Yandy Diaz (1-3, HR, RBI), Avisail Garcia (4-16, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Guillermo Heredia (3-11, 2 2B, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (5-16, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

Blake Snell allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 over 5-2/3 on Sunday. Snell was cruising until an RBI double from Mike Tauchman and an RBI single from DJ LeMahieu in the fifth inning saddled him with his fourth loss of the season. The southpaw was dominant despite the loss, getting 26 swinging strikes in his start. He has allowed two runs with a 10.5 K/BB over his last two turns. Snell is 3-5 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 career starts against the Yankees, and 1-4 with a 5.63 ERA at Yankee Stadium.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven over seven innings on Sunday. A home run by Austin Meadows was the only damage given up by Tanaka en route his third win of the season. The right-hander did not give up a walk after allowing at least two in five of his last six starts. The long ball continues to be a problem for Tanaka as he has allowed home runs in each of his last seven starts. He is now 9-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 15 career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, RBI), Ji-Man Choi (3-8, 2B, BB), Yandy Diaz (1-3), Avaisail Garcia (5-16, 2B, RBI, BB), Guillermo Heredia (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (7-26, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB), Brandon Lowe (2-7, 2B), Austin Meadows (1-3, HR, RBI), Tommy Pham (3-8, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Charlie Morton pitched six shutout innings, scattering three hits while striking out five to earn the win in a 4-0 victory over the Marlins. The right-hander had one of his cleanest performances of the season Tuesday and got enough support to take the win. Morton has 61 punchouts over 50-1/3 innings (nine starts) this season and owns a 2.32 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Morton is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees, and 1-1 with a 5.30 ERA in three starts at Yankee Stadium.

NY Pitcher TBA

Blake Snell sharp in Rays 8-2 win over the Phillies

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  • Moments before Blake Snell fanned Bryce Harper in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

Blake Snell put together his sharpest outing of the Grapefruit League season on Monday in the Tampa Bay Rays 8-2 win over Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Snell, who sought to bounce back from a poor outing against USF, threw 27 total pitches for (19 for strikes, 70% strike rate), and fanned two. His two-inning outing came against the Phillies “A” hitters, including Bryce Harper, who Snell caught looking on an inside fastball at 96 mph.

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1105161887019421696

That fastball was set up by a filthy 82 mph curveball which Harper swung over.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1105159579933892608

Snell credited to the entire Phillies lineup, including the $330-million man, for bringing out the best in him.

That whole lineup is tough. I don’t really key in on a guy. It’s a lefty, it’s a righty, is who I focus on. I’ve got to attack the zone. They’re going to do what they do, I’m going to do what I do, so I really don’t care who’s hitting. That lineup is nasty.

— Blake Snell

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner also said it was good to face a challenge at this point in the spring.

It’s a lot easier to get ready because if you don’t, they are going to make you pay for it. No one likes to get embarrassed. (This week) taught me a lot, I’m a lot better, which I needed, which is awesome. And to come here to get it going again, to get the focus going, cause that’s when I’m at my best, when I’m focused.

— Blake Snell

The Rays employed a four-man outfield against Harper, which they also used previously against Chris Davis and Justin Smoak. Third baseman Kean Wong moved to left field, leaving shortstop Willy Adames to man the left side of the infield when the southpaw-hitting Harper stepped into the batter’s box.

Kean played left field, it makes it easiest. Why not have less movement, just go straight out to left and have Willy stay up the middle?

— Kevin Cash

Cash continued by saying that particular shift is something that will be done based on the in the game personell.

If Duffy gets healthy and he’s accustomed to playing the outfield, then he might go out there. We’ll have more thought that goes into it once the season starts. Right now let’s get the bodies out there and get everybody the reps and see it.

— Kevin Cash

Kevin Kiermaier understood the reasoning behind the shift.

It’s our job to do what they tell us to do, I understand where they’re coming from. It’s one of those things where we know we’re taking a risk if we make a play we wouldn’t have with three outfielders we’ll look like geniuses, and other times where, you know, guys hit ground balls to a certain spot where if we had the regular alignment it’s not going to look so great. Everything we do out there is all for a purpose and you hope that those guys who we do play the four-man outfield against that they hit it where we think it’s going to go more times than not. That’s the whole reasoning why. And those guys we do it against we’re okay with giving up a single because Justin Smoak, Chris Davis, Bryce Harper — the guys we’ve done it against — we’re okay with them hitting singles, we just don’t want them beating us with their strength hitting the ball in the air…

— Kevin Kiermaier

Wilmer Font, who is battling for a long relief/bulk inning job, had his longest outing of the Spring, posting 1-2/3 scoreless innings. Yonny Chirinos entered after Font and posted a strong performance, striking out four across 2-1/3 innings of work. The right-hander lit-up the in-house radar gun, hitting 97 mph with his fastball.

Offensively, both Avisail Garcia and Brandon Lowe continued their torrid Spring campaigns.

Garcia launched his second homer in as many days, and the third of the Spring.

Lowe walked and scored on Garcia’s first-inning sacrifice fly. An inning later, Lowe blasted a bases-loaded two-run double to right that nearly was a grand slam.  

https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1105176666203144194

Lowe now has six doubles (eight extra base hits), 13 RBI, and is slashing .464 BA/.516 OBP/.893 SLG/1.454 OPS on the Spring.

Kevin Cash told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) he was pleased with the pitching, and the complete effort in Clearwater on Monday.

The New What Next

The Rays will visit the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Ryan Merritt will start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Aaron Sanchez. Hunter Wood, Ryne Stanek, Oliver Drake, Hoby Milner, and Adam Kolarek also are expected to pitch in Dunedin.

Rays 3/12/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows RF
  2. Pham DH
  3. Choi 1B
  4. Diaz 3B
  5. Wendle 2B
  6. Robertson SS
  7. Kiermaier CF
  8. Heredia LF
  9. James C
  10. Merritt RHP

Noteworthiness

— Cash still doesn’t have a timetable on when Matt Duffy will be available, conceding that the third baseman may start the season on the injured list.

I don’t want to say that’s he’s going to be; I don’t want to limit him, so I’ll wait. Probably next Monday we’ll get a better sense. Obviously time is becoming crucial.

— Kevin Cash

— Outfielder Tommy Pham will be the designated hitter this afternoon and could return to the outfield by the weekend.