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Tampa Bay Rays 8/29/18 pregame notes, etc

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Kevin Kiermaier and the Rays look to bounce back from a 9-5 loss Tuesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

A day after the Rays came back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game against the Braves, only to lose 9-5 after a rare, tough outing by Chaz Roe, Tampa Bay looks to split the series with Atlanta tonight. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Rays, who start the day 9.5 games back of the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wildcard race.

A late defensive gaffe behind Roe proved costly.

With the score tied at five, Roe walked the leadoff batter, Kurt Suzuki, to start the eighth. Ozzie Albies followed with a double to right. Then with the infield drawn in, Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson grounded back through the middle. Joey Wendle scooped the ball and checked pinch-runner Adam Duvall back to third before throwing to first to get Swanson.

Jake Bauers looked toward second at Albies, who started heading for third before scurrying back to second, while Duvall raced home, beating Bauers’ throw to give the Braves a 6-5 lead.

It was just kind of a weird play, Bauers said. They had their lines crossed, and then at the end of it, we had our lines crossed and they got a run out of it.

The New What Next

Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.23 ERA), who will be followed by Jalen Beeks (3-1, 6.62 ERA), will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Sean Newcomb (11-6, 3.57 ERA).

Castillo worked 2-2/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox over two outings (Friday and Sunday). He struck out four Boston hitters and allowed two hits. Castillo has been very good, giving up just two runs over his last 14 innings of work (extending back to July 29).

Beeks was credited with the win on Friday when the Rays routed the Red Sox 10-3. He allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks across 5-1/3 innings of work while striking out four. Beeks wasn’t particularly sharp against his former club, throwing 59 of 97 pitches for strikes (61% strike rate, 13/24 first-pitch strikes) but the Rays offense did more than enough to cover for the southpaw, who has lowered his overall ERA to 6.62 (down from +13) with a 1.8 K/BB in six appearances (27-2/3 innings) since being traded to Tampa Bay.

Newcomb allowed two hits while walking three and striking out eight over six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against Miami. Newcomb took advantage of the weak Marlins lineup to record his first scoreless start since June 16. He received an extra day of rest between starts, which may have helped him bounce back from consecutive subpar outings during which he gave up 12 earned runs across 9-1/3 innings. In any case, Newcomb struggled with efficiency, needing 111 pitches to retire 18 batters with only 64 of his pitches going for strikes (58% strike rate). Still, the left-hander relinquished just two hits, but three walks, across six scoreless innings against the Rays on May 8. He fanned six.

Rays 8/29/18 Starting Lineup

Adames SS
Pham LF
Duffy 3B
Cron 1B
Wendle 2B
Gomez RF
Kiermaier CF
Sucre C
Castillo RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Braves part two — an Interleague series preview

Noteworthiness

— The Rays released their Spring Training schedule, with the Grapefruit League finale scheduled at the Trop. The spring schedule, features a game against USF and one in North Port against the Braves at their new facility.

The New What Next: Rays vs Braves part two — an Interleague series preview

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The Rays left the friendly confines of the Trop, where they went 7-0 during their last homestand. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays are ready to begin their last Interleague series of the season in Cobb County, where they’ll face the Atlanta Braves in a brief two-game set starting Tuesday night. Tampa Bay swept Boston over the weekend, winning the series finale 9-1 at home on Sunday to record their eighth consecutive win. Atlanta split a four-game series in Miami against the Marlins, winning 4-0 to close that set Sunday.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay shut down the Red Sox over the weekend, outscoring the best team in baseball 24-5 in the three-game sweep. As a result, the Rays improved to 70-61 — nine games over .500 for the first time this season. They also swept their first homestand in franchise history, defeating the Kansas City Royals four-games-to-none before the Red Sox entered the big-top last Friday. 

The Braves earned a split in their low scoring four-game series with the Marlins by winning the finale Sunday afternoon. They improved to 73-57 on the season and entered Monday with a three-game edge on the Phillies in the NL East race.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Both teams are fairly evenly keeled, with Atlanta scoring 1/10 of a run more than Tampa Bay on average, yet with the Rays allowing 3.68 runs per game as compared to the Braves, who’ve allowed 4.00.

The Rays have an excellent opportunity to make up some ground against the Athletics in the AL Wildcard race with Oakland taking on Houston in a three-game series, which started with an 11-4 romp by the reigning World Series champions Monday night.

The Braves swept the first two-game series between the teams in St. Petersburg from May 8-9.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will open Tuesday’s game with Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.53 ERA), who will be followed by Yonny Chirinos (2-5, 4.08 ERA), and Wednesday’s game with Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.23 ERA), who will be followed by Jalen Beeks (3-1, 6.62 ERA). Brian Snitker will respond with Julio Teherán (9-7, 4.09 ERA) and Sean Newcomb (11-6, 3.57 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Ryne Stanek threw one scoreless inning against the Red Sox on Saturday and is slated to make his 22nd “start” of the season. He’s expected to throw between one and two innings before giving way to Chirinos. Stanek has allowed just two runs over his last 7-2/3 innings of work.

Yonny Chirinos was credited with the win on Wednesday even though he allowed three runs on four hits while striking out four across five innings against the Royals. Ryne Stanek was the “opener” in this one, but it was Chirinos who got the bulk of the innings. The right-hander flat-out dealt for five-plus innings but allowed a costly two-run homer late in the game. At the end of the day, he was credited with his second win of the season, but the three earned runs inflated his ERA from 3.96 to 4.02.

Julio Teherán picked up the win in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over seven innings of work. He struck out five. Teherán has been in a groove of late, delivering three consecutive quality starts while posting a 3.6 K/BB in 20 innings over that stretch. The right-hander blanked the Rays over six innings on May 4, allowing four hits while striking out seven; his lone career start against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3), Matt Duffy (3-5, 2 2B, BB)

Diego Castillo worked 2-2/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox over two outings (Friday and Sunday). He struck out four Boston hitters and allowed two hits. Castillo has been very good, giving up just two runs over his last 14 innings of work (extending back to July 29).

Jalen Beeks was credited with the win on Friday when the Rays routed the Red Sox 10-3. He allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks across 5-1/3 innings of work while striking out four. Beeks wasn’t particularly sharp against his former club, throwing 59 of 97 pitches for strikes (61% strike rate, 13/24 first-pitch strikes) but the Rays offense did more than enough to cover for the southpaw, who has lowered his overall ERA to 6.62 (down from +13) with a 1.8 K/BB in six appearances (27-2/3 innings) since being traded to Tampa Bay.

Sean Newcomb allowed two hits while walking three and striking out eight over six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against Miami. Newcomb took advantage of the weak Marlins lineup to record his first scoreless start since June 16. He received an extra day of rest between starts, which may have helped him bounce back from consecutive subpar outings during which he gave up 12 earned runs across 9-1/3 innings. In any case, Newcomb struggled with efficiency, needing 111 pitches to retire 18 batters with only 64 of his pitches going for strikes (58% strike rate). Still, the left-hander relinquished just two hits, but three walks, across six scoreless innings against the Rays on May 8. He fanned six.

Noteworthiness

— Suffice it to say, the Rays’ bullpen has been very good, earning them accolades like the MLB bullpen of the week. By Do-Hyoung Park (MLB.com) wrote about the relief corps:

The Rays’ score of 137 made them the clear winner of the week, as their 33 strikeouts led all bullpens, while they walked only six batters and notched three saves. The A’s, who registered a 1.16 bullpen ERA, finished a distant second with 100 points, while the Blue Jays finished third with 97 points, thanks to a 1.21 ERA and three saves.

Tampa Bay allowed only two runs in the seventh inning and beyond all week — both in Wednesday’s game against the Royals — due to stellar late-inning work from Jose Alvarado and Sergio Romo, who combined for 7 1/3 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and two walks. Rookie lefty Ryan Yarbrough allowed one run in 10 1/3 innings during the week, spanning a start and a relief outing.

In fact, the only Rays “relievers” who allowed runs were Yonny Chirinos and Jalen Beeks, both in extended outings after taking over for “openers.”

Overall, Rays hurlers have combined for a with 2.49 ERA and an opponents .259 BA/.335 OBP/.594 OPS line in the month of August, which is the best in baseball. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been very effective as well, combining for a 2.88 ERA and an opponents .298 BA/.338 OBP/.635 OPS over the same stretch.

The New What Next: Rays vs Marlins part two — an interleague series preview

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Coming off a 1.2 IP/1 ER/3 K performance in the All-Star Game, Blake Snell could be the “TBA” starter on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to kick off the ceremonial second half of the season against the Miami Marlins at home, in the final arm of the 2018 Citrus Series, starting Friday. The Rays dropped two of three against Miami at the start of July.

Tampa Bay is coming off a 1-3 road trek in Minneapolis, although they outscored the Twins 35-33 thanks in part to a 19-6 shellacking in the third game of the series. Meanwhile, the Marlins took two of three from the Phillies ahead of the All-Star Break.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The series against the Twins was an odd one. On one hand, the Rays pushed across 35 runs — including 12 with two outs — and went 24-58 with runners in scoring position (.414 batting average). Yet the pitching staff royally crapped the bed, relinquishing 33 runs — including 16 when they should have slammed the door shut on Minnesota — and allowing a .404 opponent batting average wRISP (19-47). Either way, the Rays’ offense has been clicking of late, averaging five runs per game over a 22-game stretch.

Credit where it’s due, the Marlins have won four of their last five series, including the above mentioned three-game set against Tampa Bay in Miami. Similarly though, the Rays have won five of their last six meetings, including a pair of five-game win streaks.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

It fails to be seen what impact the loss of Wilson Ramos might have on the team, and who will take his place while he is on the shelf. Can Carlos Gomez lead the team in Ramos’ absence? After all, Gomez has sizzled throughout the month of July, slashing .343 BA/.439 OBP/.543 SLG/.982 OPS with an ISO of .200, and lowering his strikeout rate some 3-1/2% — from 23% to 19.5%. Will Kevin Kiermaier ever get toasty in the leadoff spot which he, frankly, shouldn’t be hitting out of?

Whatever the case, Tampa Bay looks to exact some revenge on Miami, and further increase its win/loss separation since it starts the “second half” as fringe contenders in the American League Wildcard race — 8.5 games behind the slumping Mariners, who currently hold the final Wildcard spot. A hot streak could give the Rays some solid footing as they seek their first playoff berth since 2013, while a stretch of sloppy play out the gate could change their presumed holding position at the trade deadline, to that of sellers.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Nathan Eovaldi (3-4, 4.59 ERA), a TBA hurler thought to be Blake Snell, and Chris Archer (3-4, 4.29 ERA). Don Mattingly will respond with Dan Straily (3-4, 4.29 ERA), Pablo Lopez (1-1, 6.35 ERA), and Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.74 ERA).

(Stats credit: FanGraphs)

Nathan Eovaldi allowed eight runs on nine hits in a loss to Minnesota last Friday. Eovaldi fanned just one and walked two over 2-2/3 innings of work. The right-hander has had an uneven campaign since coming off the DL at the end of May, putting together three scoreless starts in nine outings, but coughing up four runs or more in four others. Friday’s performance was his worst yet, which really doesn’t bode well for he or the team, especially since the Rays have noted they are open to dealing the soon to be free-agent at, or before, the trade deadline.

Dan Straily didn’t factor into the decision in the 5-4 extra-inning win over the Brewers on Wednesday. Straily allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out seven. The right-hander left the game after 101 pitches (67 strikes, 66% strike rate) and in line for the win, but Drew Steckenrider blew the lead in the eighth inning. Straily has now turned in four quality starts in a row, allowing him to lower his ERA to 4.29. This season Straily has relied primarily on his 91 mph four-seam fastball boasting some added backspin and an 84 mph slider, while also mixing in a whiffy 85 mph circle changeup that has some natural sink to it. He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in his career against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (2-2, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Adeiny Hechavarria (1-4), Mallex Smith (1-2, RBI, BB)

The Rays haven’t listed a starter for the middle game of the series, and I’ll update this piece when a hurler becomes clear.

Pablo Lopez gave up five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings against the Brewers on Tuesday. He took the loss. The Brewers made their hits count in this one, as they were able to pummel Lopez early for the first big league loss of his short career. He settled down later on, not allowing a hit or a walk over his final four frames of work. This season Lopez has relied primarily on his 93 mph worm-killer sinker and a 93 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in a 78 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement, and a whiffy 86 mph changeup. All of his offerings boast natural sinking action.

Chris Archer lasted just 4-1/3 innings on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out seven. The erratic right-hander failed to finish five innings for the second straight start, laboring with just 59 strikes on 93 pitches (63% strike rate). On the bright side, he induced 16 swinging strikes (27% SwStr), allowing him to supplement his line via the strikeout column. It was only his second start since returning from the DL, so maybe he still has some rust to shake off. For Archer, the hope is for a turnaround in the second half, pushing him more toward his 3.79 FIP.

Trevor Richards threw 3-/23 innings in a no-decision against Washington on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on four hits, while striking out five but walking seven (a season-high). Richards couldn’t put himself in line for a win thanks to his command issues, resulting in him tossing 87 pitches over the course of his outing. Overall, Richards’ 5.24 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP through 56-2/3 innings. Richards allowed four runs on nine hits (including a homer) against the Rays on July 3. Key Matchups: Adeiny Hechavarria (2-2, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3), Daniel Robertson (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (2-2, RBI), Joey Wendle (1-3)

Tampa Bay Rays 7/8/18 pregame notes and starting lineup

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The Rays can square up their current road trip with another win this afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to win a series on Sunday in New York after a 3-0 win over the Mets, behind Blake Snell, on Saturday. Tampa Bay has the opportunity to square up its current road trip, and can move back over .500 with a win.

Snell was outstanding once again, pitching 7-1/3 shutout innings on 112 pitches (70 strikes, 63% strike rate). He scattered six hits and walked three, but struck out nine and coaxed 10 ground balls — including a pair of double plays — to help him dodge a slew of early base runners. The southpaw lowered his overall ERA to a league leading 2.09 (3.36 FIP), yet more impressively he has allowed just two runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 turns on the mound and is 4-0 with an 0.63 ERA over his last four outings.

If the eye popping numbers don’t scream All-Star, I’m not sure what does.

Snell spoke about the potential to pitch in the Mid Summer Classic, saying,

I’d be pumped, I’d be stoked.

After being held scoreless in 34 of their previous 36 innings, the Rays finally broke through with a crooked number yesterday. Even so, they still have gone 2-25 wRISP, while stranding a total of 18 base runners, over the first two games of the series against the Mets. What’s more, the 16-inning game against Miami is the only one where Tampa Bay has scored more than three runs. The Rays have not scored more than four runs in a nine inning road contest since May 30th (at Oakland, a 6-0 win). They hope to defy that trend this afternoon.

The New What Next

Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 3.92 ERA) will get the start, pitching opposite of Chris Flexen (0-1, 10.80 ERA).

Eovaldi threw six innings of two-run ball on Monday against the Marlins. Eovaldi allowed eight hits and walked one, while punching out five along the way. Eovaldi endured his share of baserunners in this outing, although he allowed just two extra-base hits and induced 11 groundball outs to limit the damage. The righty allowed a run on three hits in the second inning and another on a solo home run in the fifth. Things are looking up for Eovaldo, who’s thrown two consecutive quality starts, posting a 4.67 K/BB while allowing just two earned runs across 12 total innings of work.

Flexen will make his first start for New York this season, and 10th of his big league career. The right-hander allowed eight runs (four earned) over 3-1/3 relief innings for the Mets this season and is 4-6 with a mediocre 4.84 ERA in 67 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas. For the most part, he has relied on his 94 mph four-seam fastball, a hard 89 mph slider with short glove-side cut but little depth, and a 93 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 83 mph changeup, and a hard 82 mph curveball with little depth.

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Mets — an interleague series preview

Rays 7/8/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers RF
Cron 1B
Robertson 2B
Hechavarria SS
Smith CF
Sucre C
Eovaldi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Jake Faria made his first rehab start for the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Saturday, throwing 17 of 26 pitches for strikes in two innings of work, and allowing a run on two hits and a walk. The right-hander isn’t eligible to come off the DL until July 22nd.

— Christian Arroyo could play for the Stone Crabs on Monday although the team is not fully committed to that plan, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash.

— Click bait!

Rays to unveil Ybor City stadium renderings Tuesday

The New What Next: Rays vs Mets — an interleague series preview

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Kevin Kiermaier hasn’t fared well since his return from the DL, slashing .163 BA/.250 OBP/.233 SLG/.483 OPS with 13 punch outs (28.9% K%). (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The scuffling New York Mets play host to the Tampa Bay Rays, as the pair open a three-game interleague series Friday night at Citi Field. The series marks the team’s first trek to Queens since the Rays called Citi Field home for three-games last season, in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

The Rays started their six-game road trip on a rather inauspicious note, dropping two of three games to the Miami Marlins. The Mets split a two-game set with Toronto.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay, again, has the opportunity to jump above the .500 mark with a series win. Furthermore, if playing competitive baseball is their raison d’être, then the Rays — who have gone 7-3 over over a 10-game stretch — need to use this series as a springboard to another one of their patented winning streaks leading up to the All-Star Break. New York has had the had the opposite success over its last 10 games, flailing to a 3-7 record.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Ryne Stanek (1-2, 1.98 ERA) to open the first game of the series, Blake Snell (11-4, 2.24 ERA) and Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 3.92 ERA). Mickey Callaway will counter with Steven Matz (4-5, 3.46 ERA), Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.84 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale on Sunday.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Ryne Stanek saw his 12-appearance scoreless streak come to an end on Monday, in a relief loss to Miami. Still, the right-hander has a 0.85 WHIP and 22 strikeouts over 17-2/3 innings. Andrew Kittredge looks like the top candidate to cover the bulk of the innings behind Stanek, due to the heavy workloads that many of the Rays’ other long-relief options have assumed lately.

Steven Matz threw 5-1/3 innings on Sunday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while fanning six. The only run that scored was off an error by Matz. The southpaw lowered his season ERA to 3.46 alongside a respectable 3.62 K/BB. Even so, he has allowed six runs over his last 12 innings of work. This season Matz has relied primarily on his 94 mph sinker, while also mixing in a firm 84 mph changeup with slight armside fade and some natural sink, a 79 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement, and an 89 mph worm-killer slider. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-6, 2 RBI), Wilson Ramos (2-6, RBI)

Blake Snell allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 over 7-1/3 innings on Sunday. Snell’s lone earned run came on a seventh inning solo shot off the bat of Evan Gattis giving Houston a one-run lead, but Tampa Bay struck back for two in the bottom half of the frame, setting Snell up for the win. In 18 starts this season, Snell sits with an outstanding 2.24 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 3/1 K/BB over 108-2/3 innings. His last start, in front of AJ Hinch, may have solidified Snell’s first All-Star nomination.

Jacob DeGrom allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings on Sunday. He struck out eight. The right-hander cruised through five scoreless innings before allowing a two-run homer. A misplayed grounder gave deGrom his third, and final, earned run on the night. Despite delivering nine consecutive quality starts, deGrom somehow has a 2-4 record over that stretch. He is 0-0 with a 2.84 ERA in one career start against Tampa Bay. This season deGrom has relied primarily on his 96 mph four-seam fastball and a 91 mph slider, while also mixing in an 89 mph changeup, a 96 mph sinker and an 83 mph curveball. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-2, BB), Carlos Gomez (4-10, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2)

Nathan Eovaldi threw six innings of two-run ball on Monday against the Marlins. Eovaldi allowed eight hits and walked one, while punching out five along the way. Eovaldi endured his share of baserunners in this outing, although he allowed just two extra-base hits and induced 11 groundball outs to limit the damage. The righty allowed a run on three hits in the second inning and another on a solo home run in the fifth. Things are looking up for Eovaldo, who’s thrown two consecutive quality starts, posting a 4.67 K/BB while allowing just two earned runs across 12 total innings of work.

Noteworthiness

— Following the series finale with the Marlins, the Rays optioned RHP Ryan Weber back to Triple-A Durham. A countermove will be announced before the series opener with the Mets.