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The New What Next: Rays Vs. Cubs — an Interleague series preview

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Chris Archer will take the mound for the Rays on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays welcome Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs into Tropicana Field, where they will start a two-game Interleague series on Tuesday. Hanging on by a thread of a 0.5% chance of a playoff berth, the Rays salvaged the final game of the series against the Red Sox on Sunday, while the Cubs are in the midst of a six-game win streak.

(Stats: ESPN)

I liken the Rays playoff pursuit to those that purchase lottery tickets and expect a large windfall. While there is a statistical probability that you or I could walk away with the jackpot, the likelihood of that happening is a one in 175 million chance (a .0000005714286% chance). Those are pretty astronomical odds.

Likewise, it would take a lot for the Rays to punch their proverbial postseason ticket over the next 12 games. Possible? Sure. Probable? Not so much. Suffice it to say these are must win games, and whatever the case it all starts Tuesday.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

To put it bluntly, with a 5.30 ERA over the last 14 days, if there is any hope of the Rays taking the series against the reigning World Series champs, two things must occur:

  1. Chris Archer, who has performed to a 4.26 ERA/3.74 FIP in the second half, MUST pitch well in the series opener (Blake Snell on Wednesday too).
  2. It is incumbent upon Evan Longoria, Logan Morrison, Corey Dickerson and Lucas Duda to slip out of their individual (well, combined) funks.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next two days Kevin Cash will lean on the aforementioned Chris Archer (9-10, 4.06 ERA, 3.36 FIP) and Blake Snell (3-6, 4.25 ERA, 4.36 FIP). Joe Maddon will counter with former Rays farm-hand Mike Montgomery (4-5, 4.62 ERA, 4.05 FIP), and Jon Lester (11-7, 4.30 ERA, 4.05 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Archer allowed three runs over four innings on Wednesday against the Yankees, and taking the loss in doing so. The right-hander has struggled in two starts since his return from a bout with forearm tightness, allowing nine earned runs on 15 hits over seven innings, although the Rays have not indicated that that is still an issue. Archer is 2-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 12 post-All-Star break starts; he beat he Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 4 when he allowed three runs over six innings.

Montgomery, the Rays former left-handed farm-hand, returned to the Cubs rotation after bouncing back and forth, to and from the bullpen. Montgomery is 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA in 12 starts. The left-handed 93 mph sinker/92mph four-seam fastball/78mph curveball throwing hurler os 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA in four appearances (one start) against the Rays. Key Matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-2, RBI), Trevor Plouffe (1-3, 3B)

Snell allowed just a run on two hits against the Yankees on Tuesday, yet he walked away with a no decision. The southpaw threw 51/83 pitches for strikes, although he didn’t stick around long enough to benefit from Adeiny Hechavarria’s game-winning solo homer in the bottom of the eighth inning. He now is 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 post-All-Star Game starts, and has given up two runs or fewer in four of his last five outings — performing to a 2.73 ERA with a 28/8 K/BB over that 29-2/3 inning stretch. Snell faced the Cubs on July 5 but took a no-decision after tossing five scoreless frames.

Lester is no stranger to beginning games slowly. He threw 78 pitches over the first three innings against the Mets in his last start, yet needed just 36 over the final three innings. In spite of that, he’s won each of his last two outing, allowing just three runs over 12 total innings of work. Lester is 13-10 with a 4.22 ERA in 29 games against the Rays, including a five inning loss on July 4 when he allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits including a homer. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (7-17, 2B, BB), Danny Espinosa (2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, Adeiny Hechavarria (3-10, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Evan Longoria (14-58, 3 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 BB), Brad Miller (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI)

Noteworthiness

— The Cubs have eight players and coaches who spent time in Devil Rays/Rays uniforms: Chris Bosio (pitching coach), Wade Davis (RHP), Eric Hinske (assistant hitting coach), Joe Maddon (manager), Dave Martinez (bench coach), Mike Montgomery (LHP), Rene Rivera (C), Ben Zobrist (INF/OF).

— Wednesday’s first pitch will be thrown out by Beau Zimmer, the grandson of Don Zimmer, who had extensive connections between both ball clubs.

— The Rays are expected to have a video tribute to their former manager at some point during the upcoming series, be that Tuesday or Wednesday.

— Evan Longoria and Kahwa Coffee are teaming up for a “brand collaboration” to help Hurricane Irma relief efforts. More details will be announced Tuesday.

LBWMF: Rays offense and ‘pen lead way charge in the win over the Cards, 7-3

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La Pantera went 3-5 with two-RBI and a run last night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

A hot offensive performance saw the Tampa Bay Rays start their road trip with a win against the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-3. Tampa Bay staked Jake Odorizzi with a pair of three-run leads, yet the right-hander was pulled after 3-2/3 innings and 74 pitches. The ‘pen was solid once again though, and covered 5-1/3 scoreless innings. The win was the fourth in the last five games for the Rays, who start the day just three-games out of the last Wildcard spot.

St. Louis took a one-run lead in the first inning on Dexter Fowler’s sacrifice-fly to left-center, which Kevin Kiermaier flagged down instead of Corey Dickerson. The Outlaw has the best arm in the outfield and was the likeliest of the two to make a play at the plate, however, Kiermaier’s throw was offline which allowed the run to score. Tampa Bay was able to answer against Michael Wacha two innings later, batting around in the third.

Souza started the rally with a leadoff homer into the upper deck left-field — just above Big Mac Land — his 28th of the season.

Evan Longoria was next, hitting a single to right-center before Logan Morrison doubled to right, quickly putting a pair of runners into scoring position. After Wilson Ramos was caught looking on a pitch that was well off the plate (see below), Corey Dickerson was walked intentionally t0 load the bases.

Adeiny Hechavarria came up big with a two-RBI double down the left-field line, giving the Rays a two-run lead. Odorizzi capped the rally with a two-out infield hit, making it 4-1 in favor of Tampa Bay.

But Odorizzi was unable to bounce back with a shutdown inning, and he loaded the bases on walks with one out in the third. Yadier Molina followed with a sac-fly to center, yet Steven Piscotty was thrown out at third on the play, ending the inning with the lead still intact.

Dickerson got that run back in the fourth, hitting a two out double off Zach Duke, which scored Souza from third. Souzbot initially singled, then swiped both second and third.

Souza now has 28 home runs and 13 stolen bases, a combination unmatched by any American League player.

St. Louis refused to go down easily though, and chased Odorizzi in the fourth inning after Kolten Wong homered to right-field. For a third consecutive game the starter last go five innings, forcing the ‘pen to cover the final 16 outs.

As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) noted, Cash said the walks were the issue, especially three in a four-batter span in the third after the Rays had just taken a 4-1 lead. And there was a mitigating factor of having reliever Steve Cishek warmed up again in the fourth inning and not wanting to burn him for the night, so with the Cardinals pinch-hitting Jose Martinez for starter Michael Wacha, Cash decided he had seen enough.

Odo, I thought he showed some signs of being pretty good but also the walks, it’s tough to avoid that, not being reactive to get somebody else out (there), Cash said. We got him a lead and then I felt it was best to keep it that way.

Odorizzi, who was pitching in front of more than 200 friends and relatives that made the 45 minute trek from his hometown, was understandably less than enthusiastic about Cash’s decision:

It was the manager’s decision, and that’s it. It’s not my choice.

Regardless of his feelings on the matter though, the decision was made — one which boded in the Rays favor.

Steve Cishek, working in his third straight game, bounced back from a tough outing on Thursday to pick up an inning ending strikeout, keeping the Rays ahead by a pair. Sergio Romo followed in the fifth and sixth, collecting two perfect innings.

Romo has been excellent since coming over from Los Angeles prior to the deadline. In August alone, the right-hander has fired off 15-1/3 innings of three run baseball, while performing to a 1.17 ERA/3.13 FIP/0.52 WHIP against 52 total batters faced. It’s no wonder he was credited with last night’s win.

Dan Jennings took over in the seventh, and got the first two outs of the frame quickly and efficiently on four pitches. But after he allowed a couple of two-out singles, which forced Cash’s hand, Tommy Hunter took the mound and struck out Piscotty to end the seventh.

Tommy Two-Towels followed with a perfect seven-pitch 1–2–3 eighth.

Tampa Bay tacked on a pair of crucial insurance runs in the ninth when Kiermaier singled to left with two outs. Dickerson leadoff the inning with a 1-1 double to right off Brett Cecil, and Hechavarria laid down a beautiful bunt single which allowed Dickerson to advance to third. Hechavarria stole second before Kiermaier’s base hit.

Alex Colome took over in the ninth and hurled a 14 pitch, 1-2-3 inning to close out the game, punctuated with a swinging strikeout of Randal Grichuk.

All told, the Rays collected 16 hits — four from Dickerson, and three from Hechavarria.

The New What Next

Blake Snell (2-6, 4.42 ERA, 4.59 FIP) will get the start in the second game of the series, pitching opposite of right-hander Mike Leake (7-12, 4.16 ERA).

The impetus will be on Snell to pitch deeply into the ball game.

We’ve got a lot of confidence, we keep going to them, Cash said. Saying that, we need a couple of big starts now, definitely by Blake (Snell) going into tomorrow, giving us some length.

Snell is coming off his best start of the season after picking up the win on Sunday. The southpaw allowed a single in the second and a single in the seventh en route to seven shutout innings and his second win of the season. Snell’s 4.42 ERA and 1.44 WHIP still leave a lot to be desired, however, he appears to be figuring things out, and could take his quality stuff to another level to close out the season.

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/26/17 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Souza Jr RF
Longoria 3B
Duda 1B
Ramos C
Dickerson LF
Hechavarria SS
Miller 2B
Snell LHP

The New What Next: Rays Vs. Cardinals — an Interleague Series preview

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In their last series vs Toronto, the Tampa Bay Rays scored 14 runs or more in a series for the first time since the start of August (7/31-8/3 at Houston). (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays departed from the Sunshine City on Thursday afternoon, en route to the Gateway City, where they are set to begin a three-game Interleague Series against another playoff hopeful, the St. Louis Cardinals. Tampa Bay won the rubber match of their three-game series against the Blue Jays, 2-0, while St. Louis dropped the rubber game of their three-game set against the Padres, 4-3.

(Stats: ESPN)

The Rays managed to pick up a series win against the Blue Jays allowing them to enter this set with a little momentum. After dropping eight of nine, and scoring just 20 runs over that stretch, Tampa Bay has won three of four and plated 17 runs along the way. The offense is again showing signs of life which is important for a team with postseason aspirations, and heading into the final stretch of the season. They went into Thursday night’s action three games behind the Twins for the second Wildcard spot in the AL.

The Cardinals followed a stretch of eight consecutive wins by dropping seven of their last 10. Following their loss to the Padres, St. Louis enters Friday’s action five games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central, and an equal margin behind the Colorado Rockies for the second NL Wildcard.

Suffice it to say, this series is critical to both clubs, although the Rays cannot even entertain any playoff ideas until they get back to .500, so…

Tampa Bay took three of the four meetings when the teams last met in 2014, including both games in St. Louis July 22-23, 2014.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next three days Kevin Cash will lean on Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.74 ERA, 5.89 FIP), Blake Snell (2-6, 4.42 ERA, 4.59 FIP), and Chris Archer (9-7, 3.76 ERA, 3.17 FIP). Mike Matheny will counter with Michael Wacha (9-6, 4.08 ERA, 3.71 FIP), a player to be named before Saturday’s contest, and Lance Lynn (10-6, 3.17 ERA, 4.72 FIP).

(Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Odorizzi was pretty bad against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing seven runs over just 3-2/3 innings. He has lost all three of his outings since returning from the 10-day DL, although he only relinquished three total runs in his previous two starts. Still, he is 3-5 with a 6.03 ERA in his last 12 starts, and has seen his overall ERA blossom from 4.47 to 4.74.

Wacha has struggled to pitch deeply into games this month, with just one of his four August outings pushing into the sixth inning. In his last start, Wacha dished up a pair of two-run homers in a five-run second inning, sinking any hopes of a Cardinals’ road victory. The right-hander has been knocked around to the tune of nine combined runs on 15 hits over his last two starts, both losses. Wacha is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one start against the Rays (five innings of work). This season he has relied primarily upon a 95mph four-seam fastball, with less natural movement than typical and has some added backspin, while also mixing in a firm 88mph circle changeup, a 91mph real worm killer cutter, and a 77mph 12-6 curveball with sharp downward bite. Key Matchups: Lucas Duda (1-3, Adeiny Hechavarria (1-3, BB), Brad Miller (1-2), Wilson Ramos (1-4, 2 RBI)

Snell is coming off his best start of the season after picking up the win on Sunday. The southpaw allowed a single in the second and a single in the seventh en route to seven shutout innings and his second win of the season. Snell’s 4.42 ERA and 1.44 WHIP still leave a lot to be desired, however, he appears to be figuring things out, and could take his quality stuff to another level to close out the season.

TBA

Archer dominated Toronto on Tuesday, limiting the Jays to one earned run on four hits and a walk, while fanning 10 in six innings of work. Archer has struck out 61 and walked just eight in his last seven starts, and has whiffed 10 in two consecutive  starts (both against Toronto) — accumulating double-digit strikeouts nine times this season.

Lynn saw his string of eight consecutive quality starts come to an end in his last turn, although he has been the Cardinals’ most consistent starter this season. Since the beginning of July, Lynn he has averaged six innings a start and posted a 2.08 ERA. The 30 year-old right-hander is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two-games (one start) against the Rays. This season Lynn has relied primarily upon a four-pitch mix: a whiffy 93mph four-seam fastball and a 92 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 88 mph fly ball inducing cutter, and a 79mph curveball with little depth and 12-6 movement. Key Matchups: Corey Dickerson (2-5, BB), Adeiny Hechavarria (4-8, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (1-4, 2B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are looking forward to Major League Baseball’s inaugural Players Weekend, when they (along with all of the other ball clubs) get to wear uniforms — including the player’s nicknames on the back of the jerseys, and a blank patch sewn on the sleeve that allows the player to write the name(s) of person, teammate, coach, family member or organization that was important his development — that have been designed for the event.

There’s people who contribute to our lives, us getting here. I think it’s cool. It lets the fans see another side of the players. Also a little freedom picking what we want on the back of our jerseys, Corey Dickerson said.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) provided a list of the players nicknames, and you can see the special jerseys below.

Jose Alvarado – LA FLECHA
Matt Andriese – DREEZY
Chris Archer – FLACO FUERTE
Peter Bourjos – NEEDLER
Xavier Cedeno – X
Steve Cishek – SPEEDPASS
Alex Colome – THE HORSE
Brad Boxberger – BOX
Lucas Duda – DUDE
Matt DUffy – DUFFMAN
Nathan Eovaldi – EVO
Adeiny Hechavarria – LA PANTERA
Chih-Wei Hu – WHO?
Tommy Hunter – TOMMY TWO TOWEL
Dan Jennings – DJ
Kevin Kiermaier – OUTLAW
Adam Kolarek – AK
Evan Longoria – LONGO
Brad Miller – RAT
Logan Morrison – LOMO
Jake Odorizzi – ODO
Trevor Plouffe – SPECIAL T
Wilson Ramos – BUFFALO
Daniel Robertson – D-ROB
Serio Romo – EL MECHON
Blake Snell – ZILLA
Steven Souza Jr. – SOUZBOT
Jesus Sucre – SOOKY

(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Times)

The New What Next: Rays Vs. Brewers — a series preview

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(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a long and grueling eight-game road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays return to the domed confines of the Trop, where they’ll start a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

The Rays are coming off a big three-game series win against the Astros, and are winners of four of their last five. The Brewers took two of three from the Cardinals after coming off a series loss to the first-place Cubs.

(Stats: ESPN)

Both teams sit four games over .500 and still very much in the division chase and the Wildcard race.

Had you told me the Rays would bounce back from a 1-and-3 series in New York — and a 14-7 loss in the first game of the series against the Astros — to win three consecutive games against the best team in the AL, I’d have laughed. Yet they snapped out of their slumber and are again winning games after dropping 8-of-10 (July 20-29). The Rays start the series with the Brew Crew 3-1/2 games behind the Red Sox for first, 1-1/2 games behind the Yankees for the top Wildcard, and 1/2 game behind the Royals for the final playoff spot.

Leading the NL Central going into the All-Star Break, the Brewers fell on hard times in the middle of July and lost six games straight, and 8-of-11. Kindred spirits … akin to what Tampa Bay went through, Milwaukee is mired in an offensive funk and averaging just 2.25 runs per game over an eight game stretch. They are currently 1-1/2 games behind the Cubs for the division lead.

Over the next three days Kevin Cash will lean on Jacob Faria (5-1, 2.93 ERA, 3.80 FIP), Alex Cobb (9-7, 3.89 ERA, 4.42 FIP), and Chris Archer (8-6, 3.89 ERA, 3.19 FIP). Craig Counsell will counter with Brandon Woodruff (6-5, 4.46 ERA, 4.43 FIP), Zach Davies (12-5, 4.42 ERA, 4.65 FIP), and Jimmy Nelson (9-5, 3.37 ERA, 3.11 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Faria has been one of the Rays best pitchers since being promoted from Triple-A Durham on June 7, notching quality performances in eight of 10 starts. He has delivered a quality start in each of his four outings at the Trop. A caveat: while he’s been a strike-throwing machine, Faria battled with command in his last start, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out eight over four innings of work.

Woodruff will make his big league debut against the Rays on Friday. The 24 year-old right-hander is recently had a stretch of three-games where he performed to a 6.75 ERA, although he threw five shutout innings in his last start. Baseball America gave a scouting report on Woodruff:

Woodruff was a hard-throwing wild man in college who was dropped from Mississippi State’s rotation and fell to the 11th round in 2014, but the Brewers cleaned up his mechanics, quickened his tempo and rhythm and found themselves a steal.

Woodruff pitches regularly at 93-94 mph with sink and can get up to 97 mph. He pounds the lower half of the strike zone with his fastball and above-average slider and was able to survive in Colorado Springs because of that, recording a 1.38 groundout-to-airout ratio. He also has an average changeup.

With a bulldog approach, three usable pitches and a ground-ball tendency, Woodruff projects as a mid-rotation starter as long as he maintains the solid control he has found as a professional.

Cobb posted his worst outing of the season on Monday, allowing eight runs on nine hits over three innings en route to a loss. He, however, is 5-3 with a 2.59 ERA in nine starts at the Trop this season.

Davies allowed three earned runs over seven innings in a loss to the Cubs on Sunday. A 4.42 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 6.2 K/9 belie the fact that he has 12 wins on the season. Davies relies primarily on a 90 mph sinker with slight arm-side run, while also mixing in a 74 mph 12-6 curveball, an 80 mph changeup with slight arm-side fade, and an 87 mph cutter. Key Matchup: Wilson Ramos (3-6, RBI)

Archer saw his streak of six consecutive quality come to an end on Tuesday after he allowed four runs — two of which on a pair of solo homers. He did go six-plus innings, so he has pitched at least six innings in 14 consecutive starts. Archer cruised through the first four innings, giving up just one single. He, however, found himself in deep counts against a team that has struck out the fewest times in all of baseball. That, paired with some loud contact, speaks to the fact that Archer really wasn’t that dominant.

Nelson leads Milwaukee with 13 quality starts on the season, including a 3-2 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday. He has never faced the Rays, although he is 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA in 10 road starts this season. Nelson relies primarily upon a 94 mph worm-burner of a sinker and a whiffy 95 mph four-seam fastball. He also tends to mix in a hard 85 mph curveball, and a fly-ball inducing 80 mph slider. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (1-2, 3B, 2 RBI), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-3), Wilson Ramos (2-3, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (1-2, 3B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— INF Taylor Featherston has been optioned to Triple-A Durham, likely making room for UTL/INF Daniel Robertson, who will be activated from the disabled list. Robertson had been on the DL with neck spasms and played Wednesday for Durham.

— Jake Odorizzi (lower back strain) will make a rehab start in Dunedin for the Charlotte Stone Crabs Friday night. Jose De Leon (lat strain) is expected to pitch in that game as well. Odorizzi is projected to come off the DL early next week.

The New What Next: Rays vs Cubs — a series preview

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Next stop Chicago, where the Rays will take on the return reigning World Series champions on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays will start a two-game set against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, in Chicago — a series that many Rays fans have been waiting for with baited breath. After all, the Cubs are the reigning World Series champs, and a certain someone, that we are all too familiar with, finds himself at the helm of a ball club that has struggled to stay around the .500 mark all season.

I will neither wax nostalgic about how my two favorite teams that are set to face one another, nor will I discuss my feelings about the Rays’ former skipper — both topics have been discussed at length on this site and others.

(Stats: ESPN)

The Rays missed a chance to sweep the Orioles on Sunday, as they were flat in 7-1 in the series finale in Baltimore. Tampa Bay finished Sunday’s ball game with just five hits, and no player had more than one. Jesus Sucre hit a solo homer to put the Rays on the board, while Steven Souza Jr. collected their other extra base, a double. They enter this series tied with the Twins and Royals for the second AL wild card slot.

The Cubs finished an 11 game road trip with a 5-6 record, and they avoided a sweep by the Reds, taking a 6-2 win Sunday afternoon. They aren’t quite the juggernaut they were a year ago. As compared to the rest of the National League, the North-Siders start the series ninth in the in runs scored per game (4.54), 14th in team batting average (.237), sixth in homers (107), seventh in starter’s ERA (4.54), and third in reliever’s ERA (3.31). Be that as it may, they had a solid showing in the finale against Cincinnati. Ian Happ scored two runs and plated four RBI on a pair of homers, while Javier Baez drove in a run; each had three hits for Chicago. Both Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo hit homers as well. Much like the Rays, Chicago hope to rev things up before the All-Star Break.

This will be the third time the Rays travel to the Friendly Confines, having gone 1-2 in 2003 (including the game when Sammy Sosa broke a bat filled with cork) and 2-1 in 2014. They’ll face one another again this season, in September, at the Trop.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next two days Kevin Cash will throw Chris Archer (6-5, 3.92 ERA, 3.07 FIP) and Blake Snell (0-5, 5.36 ERA, 5.29 FIP). Joe Maddon will counter with Jon Lester (5-4, 3.69 ERA, 3.63 FIP) and John Lackey (5-9, 5.24 ERA, 5.88 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Archer posted a quality start on Thursday, yet came away with the loss. The right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings of work. Yet in spite of his overall record and peripherals, Archer entered that outing with a 3-3 record and 4.76 ERA over his previous eight outings. The right-hander continues to accrue strikeouts, sporting an elite 10.7 K/9 for the season, however, his game-to-game inconsistency belies that, as he’s now allowed four runs or more in five of his past nine outings. The right-hander has worked exactly six innings in his last four starts, and has gone seven innings or more in six of his 17 starts this season.

Lester, the first of two “old friends” the Rays will face this series, posted his fourth consecutive quality start in his last start, holding Washington to one run over six innings. He is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, five walks and 18 strikeouts over 19 innings in his last three starts, and 13-9 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.288 WHIP over 170 innings overall against the Rays. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (6-16, 2B), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Snell entered last Wednesday’s start against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 4:1 K:BB in seven starts with the Durham Bulls, then exited with a less than stellar 1.20 K:BB after an abysmal return to the bigs. The southpaw allowed six runs while walking five on 98 pitches (42 balls). The skinny: after getting a handle on his control issues at Durham, Snell returned to the majors and once again couldn’t find the strike zone, issuing a season tying number of walks.

Lackey, who loses five mph on his fastball when he pitches with his mouth open, had trouble executing his pitches in his last outing against the Nationals, giving up eight runs over 5-1/3 innings. He also hasn’t had much success at home this season, going 1-4 record with a 5.13 ERA. Teams are batting .281 against him at Wrigley. Over 24 career starts against Tampa Bay, Lackey is 13-8, but with a 4.00 ERA. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (3-6, BB), Corey Dickerson (1-3, HR, RBI), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-8), Evan Longoria (14-40, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB), Logan Morrison (2-2, HR, RBI), Trevor Plouffe (2-2, 2 2B), Mallex Smith (2-3, 2B)

Noteworthiness

— Some good news for backup catcher Jesus Sucre, who had a ball glance off his wrist area on Sunday. The injury has been diagnosed as a bruised wrist, and no roster moves have been planned or will be needed.

— Brad Miller had Monday off for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, as he works his way back from a groin injury. Miller, who has gone 3-11 with three doubles and a run in his rehab stint with the Stone Crabs, could return this weekend for the Boston series.

— Corey Dickerson was named a starter for the AL All-Star Team on Sunday as the DH. Logan Morrison is up against four others for the final vote, which concludes Thursday afternoon. Neither Dickerson nor Morrison is part of the Home Run Derby on Monday in Miami.