X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

TNWN: Rays vs Red Sox part two — a series preview

By Leave a Comment

Michael Pérez came up with a pair of big runs batted in during the four-game set against the Yankees, including a walk-off base hit in the series finale. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a successful 4-2 homestand which included a series win against the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays embark on their longest road trip of the truncated season — a 10-game, 11-day jaunt through Boston, Toronto Buffalo, and the Bronx. The first stop is Fenway, where the Rays will begin a four-game set against the Red Sox on Monday. Boston took two-of-three from the Blue Jays over the weekend.

Aside from a lopsided 8-4 loss in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday (in which Sean Gilmartin — husband of professional asshole Kayleigh McEnany — gave up two home runs in relief of Tyler Glasnow), the Rays looked like, well … the Rays against the Yankees. They limited New York to an average of 3.75 runs per game because they kept the ball in the park; home runs account for approximately 70% of the Yankees’ offensive production. The pitching gave up a total of three home runs. When you subtract Gilmartin from the equation — cough, which the Rays did on Sunday when they designated the hurler for assignment — the average run total across the four-game set drops to three.

The Rays were also advantageous at the plate, scoring nine two-out runs — 75% of their total run output over the life of the series.

I can’t believe Brandon Lowe would be that disrespectful to the Yankees by looking into their dugout. Oh, the ghastly horror of it all.

In the finale, Tampa Bay found itself in a late 3-0 hole but rallied to earn the win and take three-out-of-four in the series. Michael Brosseau was the only player with two hits in the game; Brosseau and Brandon Lowe each homered in the contest while Michael Perez hit the walk-off RBI base hit in the bottom of the ninth. However, aside from their play at home, Tampa Bay had been awful over the last week and change. They have to get things going in a positive direction if they hope to live up to their expectations as a contender for the American League pennant. To their credit, the Rays got back to .500 and made up ground in the AL East. Now, they need to start adding some separation between the win and loss columns.

Meanwhile, the Massholes Red Sox managed to win the rubber match of their home set against the Blue Jays to win the series. They enter this set tied for fourth in the AL East, 4-1/2 games behind the Yankees for the top spot in the division. Boston collected just four hits on Sunday, although three of them left the yard. Mitch Moreland homered twice and Rafael Devers hit his second of the year. Moreland’s second of the game was the walk-off homer that gave the Red Sox the win.

The AL East rivals split a two-game series at the Trop, with Tuesday’s starter, Martín Pérez, blanking the Rays across five innings. Time will tell if familiarity breeds contempt, and the Rays’ hitters will better be equipped to beat up on the finesse lefty, as well as the rest of Boston’s rotation.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Ryan Yarbrough (0-2, 3.78 ERA), a pitcher to be named before Tuesday’s contest, Blake Snell (0-0, 3.38 ERA), and Tyler Glasnow (0-2, 3.78 ERA) over the next four days. Ron Roenicke will counter with Colten Brewer (0-0, 2.57 ERA) at some point in the series opener, Martín Pérez (2-1, 3.45 ERA), Zack Godley (0-1, 3.97 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale.

Ryan Yarbrough allowed five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five across five innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday. Yarbrough had a scoreless outing through 3-2/3 innings but surrendered a two-run home run to Alex Verdugo to open the scoring. He completely fell apart in the sixth inning, allowing all five batters he faced to reach base, with the big blow being a two-run home run off the bat of Michael Chavis. Despite the poor outing, Yarbrough maintains a 3.78 ERA across 16-2/3 innings to begin the season. He is 3-2 with a 5.36 ERA against the Red Sox, and 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA at Fenway.

Colten Brewer will likely cover a bulk of the innings for Monday’s game against the Rays, either as a long reliever or a traditional starter. Considering Brewer hasn’t tossed more than 44 pitches in any of his five appearances on the season, Boston likely won’t ask him to push much further beyond the 60-to-75-pitches. Brewer relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph cutter and an 81 mph curveball with exceptional bite and glove-side movement, while also mixing in a hard 90 mph slider. He is 0-0 with a 1.08 ERA in 10 games (8-1/3 IP) against the Rays, and 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 35 appearances (35 IP) at Fenway. Key Matchups: Not available at the moment.

TBA

Martín Pérez allowed four hits and three walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings against the Rays on Wednesday. Pérez allowed a double to the first batter he faced, but managed work out of the early jam with a pop-up, ground out, and a strikeout. The lefty faced a similar scenario in the fourth inning but remained unscathed. Pérez has given himself a thin margin for error across three starts this season, striking out 11 and walking nine across 15-2/3 innings. Even with his success on Wednesday, Pérez is 1-4 with a 6.10 ERA against the Rays, and 2-2 with a 6.18 ERA at Fenway. Key Matchups: Yandy Díaz (4-12, 2 2B), Brandon Lowe (2-5), Mike Zunino (6-20, 3 HR)

Blake Snell got the start Friday and fired three shutout innings against the Yankees. He allowed no hits and two walks while punching out five on 59 pitches (32 strikes, 54% strike rate). Even though Snell didn’t allow any hits or runs Friday, he struggled with his command. Even so, the southpaw worked around leadoff walks to DJ LeMahieu and Gary Sanchez in the first and third innings (respectively). Snell had hoped to go four-to-five innings, although his struggles in throwing strikes limited his mound time, although he did increase his count if just slightly. Still, he lowered his ERA to 3.38 ERA (4.25 FIP), and his K:BB now stands at 3.5:1 over eight innings across his first three starts of the season.

Me going three innings and then having to cover, I mean that’s a tough task. They’re always ready. … This bullpen is just a great bullpen. Whenever I get out of the game, I’m never worried. These guys are coming in, they’re getting it done, and it’s a great feeling as a starter to know your bullpen is that stacked and they’re going to fight.

— Blake Snell

Zack Godley tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Godley did his part Saturday, yet the Red Sox mustered just one run on four hits, which clearly wasn’t enough. The 30-year-old right-hander has a 3.97 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 11 strikeouts across 11-1/3 innings this season. Godley relies primarily on an 89 mph cutter that has some natural sink and a hard 83 mph 12-6 curveball, while also mixing in an 83 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone. He is 0-0 with a 6.74 ERA in two outings (4 IP) against the Rays, and 0-0 with a 0.68 ERA in three games (13-1/3 IP) at Fenway. Key Matchups: Manuel Margot (6-25, 3B), Hunter Renfroe (5-20, 2 2B), Mike Zunino (2-7, HR)

Tyler Glasnow allowed four runs on five hits in just 2-2/3 innings of work on Saturday, striking out five while walking three. Glasnow matched Gerrit Cole with a pair of scoreless frames to start the game, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, but he allowed a two-run homer to Mike Ford and a two-run double to Gio Urshela in the third, forcing him from the game. Glasnow now owns a 5.56 ERA through his first three starts, with a 2.38:1 K:BB and a 30.0% HR/FB rate. Glasnow is 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox, and 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA at Fenway.

TBA

Noteworthiness

— Charlie Morton has been placed on the 10-day Injured List retroactive to Sunday, August 9. Morton, who left Sunday’s start with right shoulder inflammation, joins Yonny Chirinos as the second Rays’ starter on the shelf.

After Sunday’s game, Morton said he didn’t think the injury was serious. It’s possible that with an off-day on Monday, Morton could return off the IL after missing just one start if the stay is a minimal one.

— Senior VP/GM Erik Neander said Yonny Chirinos’ (right tricep inflammation) IL stint could be a minimal one, and the right-hander could return for the series in Buffalo.

— More on the status of both hurlers should be known later this afternoon when Rays skipper Kevin Cash speaks with the media during his daily Zoom call.

— Tampa Bay has not yet listed a starter for Tuesday’s game and could start Trevor Richards in Morton’s spot for the time being. Richards threw 76 pitches across four innings on Sunday and could also be used with an opener in front of him.

Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), The five-man taxi squad includes two pitchers who could provide length in Anthony Banda, a lefty who is on the 40-man roster, and right Aaron Slegers, who is not on the roster currently.

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

By Leave a Comment

  • 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.

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

By Leave a Comment

The Tampa Bay Rays overcame a seven-run deficit to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays in the series finale at the Rogers Centre, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Michelle Keener Tallman)

After a day off, the Tampa Bay Rays will begin their final regular-season series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay is coming off a series win against the Blue Jays in Toronto, while the Red Sox took three-of-four against the Yankees in Boston.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Thus far, Tampa Bay is 6-6 against Boston, although they have played far better at Fenway — where the Rays are winners of five of six — than at home. Expect another tight series. Over the previous 12 games, the Rays have scored 51 runs and relinquished 44 for a differential of seven runs or 58/100 (.58) of a run per game. And in the previous six games at Fenway, the Rays have outscored the Sox by just five runs, or 83/100 (.83) of a run per game.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Tampa Bay enters play a half-game behind Oakland in the Wildcard race and a half-game ahead of Boston. The ultimate goal is to extend the lead over the Red Sox while also staying relevant in the chase for the Rays’ first postseason berth since 2013. Yet, there is something else to keep in mind. Taking into consideration the series win in Toronto, paired with a good showing in Boston in the series opener, the front office could be further compelled to bolster the roster at the trade deadline, including arms for the beleaguered relief corps.

In the series against the Blue Jays and Yankees (respectively), both teams proved they can put big numbers on the board. However, it’s time for the Rays pitching staff to prove that there is a reason pitching coach Kyle Snyder thinks so highly of them.

I’d rather go to war with these guys. If it (an acquisition of a hurler or hurlers) happens, it happens. But for me, and this is something I’ve shared with these guys over the last 10 days with the deadline looming, they can handle this.

Despite how green they may be, I’ll take talent over experience. And these guys are gaining a lot. … We have a lot of confidence in these guys, me more than anyone.

— Kyle Snyder

While a belief in the pitching staff is well and good, Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) was quick to remind us all that there are reasons for concern:

Though many of the team stats — such as a 3.80 bullpen ERA that’s third-best in the majors — are skewed because the Rays have relievers opening games and starters pitching in relief, there are some bottom-line numbers that better illustrate the glaring need:

• 15 times Rays relievers have allowed a tying or go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later, and three times with two outs in the ninth.

• 17 times in 48 losses they’ve allowed the go-ahead run in the eighth inning or later.

• 53 runs scored against them in the ninth inning are third-most in the AL, and 68 from the ninth are second-most.

— Marc Topkin

Whatever the case, there is no time like the present for the Rays hurlers, which have held Boston to four runs or fewer six times this season (four times at Fenway), to come up big once more.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will likely throw Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.60 ERA), Ryan Yarbrough (9-3, 3.78 ERA) in some capacity — be that as a starter or a bulk guy — and a pitcher to be announced before the series finale on Wednesday (likely Brendan McKay). Alex Cora will counter with David Price (7-4, 3.66 ERA), Rick Porcello (9-7, 5.55 ERA), and Andrew Cashner (10-5, 4.18 ERA).

Charlie Morton gave up two runs on five hits across seven innings while striking out 11 against the Red Sox on Wednesday. It’s the fourth time this season Morton has fanned double-digit batters, with three of those performances coming in his last five starts. The right-hander maintains a sparkling 2.60 ERA and a 3.98 K/BB through 131-1/3 innings on the season.

David Price allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out eight at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Not only was the southpaw’s fastball velocity down, sitting in the 89-90 mph range, he only managed six swinging strikes among his 98 pitches (63 strikes, 64% strike rate, 12% SwStr). His lack of dominance was made up for by a generous strike zone by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez (shocker, I know).

Still, Price has nine quality starts on the season, and he carries a 3.66 ERA and 4.22 K/BB across 98-1/3 innings on the season. Key Matchup: Mike Brosseau (1-2)

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)

TBA

Andrew Cashner allowed three runs on 10 hits and a walk across 6-2/3 innings on Friday. He struck out six. While he wasn’t quite dominant, this was his first victory for Boston since joining the club right after the All-Star break. Cashner owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 81 punchouts over 114 innings this season. He is 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Guillermo Heredia (2-8, 2B, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B), Tommy Pham (3-11, HR, 2 RBI), Joey Wendle (3-8, 3B, 2 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Eric Sogard will be active for the first time since the trade Sunday with Toronto.

— Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) played two rehab games over the weekend with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on rehab and will be activated from the IL on Wednesday, the first day that he’s eligible.

— Blake Snell’s arthroscopic elbow surgery went smoothly on Monday, and he is in line to return to the roster in September.

— Ryne Stanek (hip) tossed a successful bullpen session Sunday and is expected to start a rehab assignment soon.

— Tommy Pham was removed from Sunday’s game in Toronto with a right-hand sprain. He is listed as day-to-day.

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

By Leave a Comment

  • The Rays salvaged the series finale against the White Sox behind a solid start from Blake Snell and second inning grand slam off the bat of Travis d’Arnaud. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a disappointing start to the homestand, punctuated by a pair of losses to the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays will play host to the Boston Red Sox for a three-game series, starting Monday. The Red Sox are also coming off a series loss, having dropped two of three to the Orioles.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rays have been in a slide of late, losing five out of their last six games overall. The bats have gone cold, plating three or fewer runs in five out of their last six contests, following the 5-4 Travis d’Arnuad home run fueled win over the Yankees a week ago. Making things worse, the Rays are playing without Kevin Keirmaier and Brandon Lowe who have been a big part of the offense up to now.

In spite of the series loss to Baltimore, the Red Sox have played well on the road where they have won five out of their last seven games.

Still, after the dropped three straight to Boston in April, the Rays have won five of the last six contests between the two — all at Fenway. To put it bluntly, the Rays need a series win, and to do so they need to play as they had previously against Boston, and less as they had recently against the Yankees and White Sox. Winning two-out-of-three (in the least) would put some distance between the second and third place teams in the AL East.

The Rays should receive some reinforcements with a pair of infielders who set to return to the fold sometime this week.

Matt Duffy, who hit a home run in his final rehab game in Durham on Saturday, flew back to St. Petersburg on Sunday and will be activated at some point the next few days.

Duffy (hamstring) will slot in at third base and shortstop and presents a much-needed, right-handed addition to a Rays lineup that is looking for a spark.

We just have to see how our pitching lines up. We look forward to having him back. He’s taken the long road back, but we’re excited to have him back.

— Kevin Cash

Daniel Robertson (right knee inflammation) will head to Port Charlotte to begin his rehab assignment with the Class-A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs. He’ll play a couple of games there before heading to Durham to complete the assignment.

Rays Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.78 ERA), Yonny Chirinos (8-5, 3.29 ERA), and Charlie Morton (11-3, 2.61 ERA). Alex Cora will counter with Eduardo Rodríguez (11-4, 4.34 ERA), Chris Sale (4-9, 4.05 ERA), and David Price (7-3, 3.61 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Jalen Beeks allowed one run on two hits and one walk across 3-1/3 innings during on Tuesday. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision. Beeks kept the Yankees scoreless through his first three innings as the bulk reliever, but he was pulled in the sixth inning after he allowed a solo homer and a single with one out. The left-hander has a 2.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 2.43 K/BB over 64-2/3 innings. Beeks is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in two career outings (9-1/3 IP) against his former team.

Eduardo Rodriguez gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over 6-1/3 innings his last turn. He struck out four. Rodriguez has now won three straight starts and five consecutive decisions, with his last loss coming on June 9th. The left-hander maintains a 4.34 ERA and a 3.24 K/BB across 116 innings. Rodriguez is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay, and 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in four starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (4-5, BB), Matt Duffy (1-2), Avisail Garcia (2-8, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (4-11, 2B, RBI)

Yonny Chirinos gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits over five innings against the Yankees, striking out eight and walking two in the 6-2 loos. Chirinos couldn’t extend his run of seven consecutive quality starts but emerged with a decent line against a tough Yankees lineup that he’s fared well against this season. Even so, Chirinos is sporting a 3.29 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 4.04 K/BB across 112 innings. He has faired well in his career against Boston, going 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five games (three starts).

Chris Sale allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 12 across six scoreless innings on Thursday against the Blue Jays. Sale dominated the Blue Jays by generating 20 whiffs. Both hits he allowed were base hits, and he only allowed one runner to get into scoring position throughout his outing. While his 4.05 ERA is disappointing, his 172 strikeouts and 1.08 WHIP across 117-2/3 frames show how dangerous he can be to a team that hasn’t had much success against the southpaw. Sale is 9-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 17 career starts against the Rays, and 4-3 with a 1.92 ERA in nine starts at the Trop. Key Matchup: Yandy Diaz (4-6, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB)

Charlie Morton gave up five earned runs on five hits across 5-2/3 innings on Thursday, striking out four and walking four. The righty struggled with his control in issuing four free passes, yet he is still having a fantastic season, maintaining a 2.61 ERA to go along with a 1.06 WHIP and a 3.71 K/BB across 124-1/3 innings. Morton is 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA in six career starts against Boston.

David Price allowed six runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts across four against the Orioles on Friday. The former Ray hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last five turns, and during that stretch, he went 3-0. But for the second time this season, Price allowed six runs, and the eight hits he relinquished set a new season-high. Price owns a 3.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts in 92-1/3 innings this season. Since leaving Tampa Bay, Price is 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts against his former team. Key Matchup: Yandy Diaz (4-10, HR, RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— If the Rays can’t beat up on Boston’s starters, they’ll get a chance against the ‘pen, which maintains an overall 4.53 ERA and 4.25 FIP (5.50 ERA and 4.61 FIP over the last 14 days).

— Due to the poor spate of play, the Rays chances of a playoff berth dropped off by 20% (give or take).

TNWN: Rays look to close out series in Boston with a win

By Leave a Comment

Mike Zunino had himself a day both behind the dish and in the batter’s box yesterday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After eking out a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays look for a sweep in the rain-shortened two-game set this afternoon at Fenway Park. Shocker of the century, rain is in the forecast in Boston this afternoon. Too bad there isn’t a roof covering the Red Sox’s vaunted stadium.

Mike Zunino played a critical role in yesterday’s contest, both behind the plate and in the batter’s box. Up by a run thanks to Yandy Diaz, who hit a Monster shot in the first inning, Tampa Bay scraped across a run in the fourth when Tommy Pham doubled off the Monster and scored on a one-out single off the wall by Mike Zunino. After that, Price and four relievers allowed four walks, yet no hits, keeping the Rays off the board.

Meanwhile, Charlie Morton faced Boston for the second consecutive start and allowed just two hits and four walks across six innings of work, on 102 pitches (61 strikes, 60% strike rate). The right-hander didn’t have his best stuff, yet he still kept the Red Sox off the board. Morton worked out of a jam  in the second inning —  striking out Jackie Bradley Jr. and getting Christian Vazquez to ground out to short after allowing a pair of base runners with one out.

Boston again threatened in the third when Mookie Betts reached base on an infield single then advanced into scoring position on a throwing error by Willy Adames. Betts moved into third on a wild pitch, but the right-hander came up with a big strikeout against Xander Bogaerts to end the threat.

Morton got a little help from Zunino in the fourth when he picked Rafael Devers off first base to get the first out of the frame. Even though Michael Chavis drew a walk one pitch later, Tampa Bay turned a 6-4-3 double play to close out the inning. Morton coaxed a second double play an inning later, in the fifth.

The agile Zunino was active behind the plate, something that was critically important in the eighth when the Red Sox mounted their biggest threat of the game. He blocked multiple pitches in the dirt which, had they gotten past the backstop, assuredly would have spelled doom for Tampa Bay.

The win on Saturday was Tampa Bay’s first over Boston in four tries, and the team’s first one-run win in five games this season.

The New What Next

Tyler Glasnow (4-0, 1.53 ERA) will get the start in the series finale, pitching opposite of Chris Sale (0-4, 7.43 ERA).

Tyler Glasnow struck out five and allowed two runs on three walks and three hits over 5-1/3 innings on Sunday. Coming into Sunday’s start, the right-hander had issued just three free passes in 24 innings but matched that total against Boston. He also threw just 49 of 76 pitches for strikes (64% strike rate), yet made the big pitch when he needed to. Still, Glasnow owns a terrific 4.83 K/BB and a 1.53 ERA this season. The right-hander will try to get his revenge against Boston on Saturday.

Chris Sale gave up two earned runs on five hits over five innings of work in his last start. He fanned 10 and walked two in the Red Sox 7-4 loss. Sale shut out the Tigers over the first three frames but yielded single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, the latter on a solo homer. The southpaw struck out two batters in each inning, throwing 97 pitches overall (72 strikes, 74% strike rate). This season Sale has relied primarily on a 78 mph sweeping slider, a 93 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action and arm-side run, and an 85 mph circle changeup with obvious arm-side fade that dives down out of the zone, while also mixing in a 92 mph sinker with obvious tail and natural sinking action. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3, HR, RBI), Yandy Diaz (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (3-6, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (5-17, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview, and the lineup is below, as is Noteworthiness.

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

Rays 4/28/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Diaz 1B
  2. Pham LF
  3. Robertson 2B
  4. Garcia DH
  5. Zunino C
  6. Kiermaier CF
  7. Heredia RF
  8. Adames SS
  9. Arroyo 3B
  10. Glasnow RHP

Noteworthiness

— JD Martinez (back spasms) remains out of the lineup for Boston.

— The Rays made a roster move this morning, reinstating RHP Hunter Wood and optioning RHP Austin Pruitt back to Durham.

— Just sayin’…

— Who says Yandy can only hit line drive missiles?!