X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

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

By Leave a Comment

(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

By Leave a Comment

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.

The New What Next: Rays vs Reds — a series preview, Trevor Plouffe added to the roster

By Leave a Comment

The Rays return home Monday after splitting a pair of road series’ against the Blue Jays and Tigers. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their home run mashing ways when they welcome the Cincinnati Reds into the Trop for a three-game interleague series, starting Monday.

(Stats: ESPN)

Tampa Bay continues to stay above the .500 mark after going 3-3 on a six-game road trip against the Blue Jays and Tigers. The Rays, who have now won two in a row, flexed their muscles against Detroit with five home runs (including a Steven Souza Jr. grand Slam) in the 9-1 win Sunday.

Here’s three of the five:

Tampa Bay and Cincinnati have only met 12 times total, with the Reds holding a 9-3 record in those games. The Rays, however, took two of three in 2014, the last time they faced Cincinnati. The Reds will need their history of success to be kind based on recent results. They are currently mired in a nine-game losing streak, sitting dead last in the NL Central after an 8-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

All told, the Rays are 6-4 over their last 10, and looking to separate themselves from the rest of the AL East, while the Reds are 1-9 over the same stretch and, well…looking for a win.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.77 ERA, 5.15 FIP), Alex Cobb (5-5, 4.17 ERA, 4.29 FIP), and Erasmo Ramirez (2-2, 6.48 ERA, 4.63 FIP). Bryan Price will counter with Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.29 ERA, 4.28 FIP), Amir Garrett (3-5, 6.91 ERA, 6.97 FIP), and Tim Adleman (4-3, 4.35 ERA, 5.23 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Key Matchups

Odorizzi did not make it out of the fifth inning in his last start when he allowed three runs over 4-1/3 innings of a no decision against Toronto. Odorizzi struggled with his control throughout, throwing 99 pitches (55 strikes) in his outing. Be that as it may, Odorizzi otherwise has been solid at home, posting a 3-2 record with a 3.11 ERA at the Trop this season, while collecting five quality starts in a row at home.

Feldman last pitched in a 6-2 loss in San Diego on Tuesday, allowing four runs and eight hits in five innings. That start was one of six in which he was tagged for four runs or more. Having spent 12 of his 13 seasons in the American League, Feldman has plenty of experience against the Rays, going 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 17 appearances (seven starts). This season he has relied primarily on a ground ball inducing 89 mph cutter, a 90 mph sinker, and a 76 mph curveball with slight glove-side movement. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3),  Evan Longoria (5-17, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, BB), Derek Norris (6-14, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Colby Rasmus (2-8), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3)

Cobb earned a no-decision in his start Thursday against Detroit, but hurled an effective 6-2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs. The right-hander fanned just three batters, and walked a pair while giving up eight hits in that start, although he was able to lean on his split-change — throwing it 17 times (12 for strikes, two whiffs), which is a lot compared to the number he threw earlier in the season. The Tigers only put two of them in play, and the pitch did appear to regain some of its pre-surgery depth. In his only career start against the Reds, he threw seven scoreless frames.

Garrett notched his first quality start in over a month on Wednesday, throwing six innings of two-run ball against San Diego. To his credit, he kept the ball down in the zone, something he struggled to do over his last several starts. Beware of the long-ball! In that contest, Hunter Renfroe hit a monstrous two-run homer in the sixth inning. With a 2.57 HR/9 over the last 14 days, the Rays will try to punish Garrett for any mistakes left up in the zone. This season Garrett has relied primarily on a 92 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, and an 80 mph 12-6 slider. He’s also mixed in an 81 mph changeup with slight cut and a lot of backspin. He has never faced the Rays.

Ramirez has struggled over his past four starts, posting two losses and an unsightly 10.05 ERA. On Friday, the Tigers pounded him to the tune of 10 runs (eight earned) in 4-2/3 innings. As I wrote on Saturday, it may be time to move Erasmo back to the ‘pen where he’s been more successful; this outing likely will be a bellwether for the right-hander.

Adleman has been the Reds’ most consistent starter, as he’s gone at least five innings and given up three runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. However, the Reds haven’t capitalized, going 2-3 in those games. Because he’s a fly ball pitcher, Adleman doesn’t generate nearly enough ground balls, leading to one of the worst HR/9 ratios in the league. It will be interesting to see if the 29 year-old right-hander leans on his plus curveball Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to keep the ball in the park. The breaking pitch ranks fifth in whiffs per swing, and it has been above average at inducing grounders and making it a tough pitch to do anything with. He’s also cultivated a .000 ISO and a .133 BAA with the curveball, although he’s thrown it just 10% of the time this season — down from 18% a season ago. He has never faced the Rays.

Noteworthiness

— Trevor Plouffe, acquired from Oakland, has officially joined the active roster. To make room for Plouffe, the Rays have designated Michael Martinez (no options remaining) for assignment.

The New What Next: Rays vs Marlins — the Citrus Series preview

By Leave a Comment

The guys in or by the batting cage (Derek Norris and Logan Morrison), along with Evan Longoria, have uncharacteristically low BABIPs at the moment. Once the luck dragons stop nipping, they’ll turn their season’s around. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a 2-6 roadtrip, and a below .500 record for the month of April, the Tampa Bay Rays return to the Sunshine State, where they’ll face the Miami Marlins over the next four days — both in Miami and St. Pete.

The last couple of games in Toronto were both winnable, and frustrating. Not only were the Rays facing a team that hadn’t won a series at home, but the Jays were also 2-8 at the Rogers Centre. Yet when you go 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position, and only plate nine runs — seven in the first game alone — it’s kind of hard to win games.

(Stats: ESPN)

After a brief panic attack following the series finale loss, Bradley Neveu (DRaysBay) calmly reminded me, well…all of us, that things will get better, and reinforcements are on the way:

Evan Longoria, Logan Morrison and Derek Norris are all running some really low BABIPs right now. They will come up, and the results will come with it.

The long relievers in the bullpen Austin Pruitt, Erasmo Ramirez and Chase Whitley have performed exceptionally well lately. We should see one of them in the mid-to-late innings most nights when Archer doesn’t start.

Jake Odorizzi will be back tomorrow to bolster the starting rotation. Outfielder Colby Rasmuslooks ready to join the Rays within the next few days. Infielder Matt Duffy should be back in May. Catcher Wilson Ramos is projected to be with the team a month after that. All of these players are significant upgrades to this team; a team that is already performing like a .500 club. And who knows, maybe we’ll see the hot-hitting Patrick Leonard or any of the other prospects up with the Rays soon.

Longoria (.258 BABIP), Morrison (.236 BABIP) and Norris (.220 BABIP) are performing well under their career norms as it relates to BABIP, meaning they’ve been incredibly unlucky thus far. As for the activation of Odorizzi from the DL, that gives Rays manager Kevin Cash the ability to rely on a more dynamic bullpen, not one that has to cover innings for a player who isn’t active.

Lest we not forget that when looking at their Pythagorean and BaseRuns expectations, the Rays should be above .500. The Marlins, on the other hand, are underperforming Tampa Bay. If anything, this series can be viewed as a momentum building one, going into the forthcoming series’ with the Blue Jays and Royals. That is, if Tampa Bay can get back on the winning side of the ledger.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi (1-1. 4.15 ERA, 5.69 FIP), Alex Cobb (1-2, 4.66 ERA, 4.41 FIP), Blake Snell (0-2, 3.42 ERA, 5.16 FIP), and Matt Andriese (1-1, 3.86 ERA, 5.28 FIP). Don Mattingly will counter with Wei-Yin Chen (2-1, 4.71 ERA, 4.47 FIP), Edinson Volquez (0-3, 4.44 ERA, 4.43 FIP), Adam Conley (1-1, 6.75 ERA, 4.55 FIP), and Dan Straily (1-2, 4.15 ERA, 3.77 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Odorizzi will return from the disabled list to make his first start since April 15. He is 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 career Interleague starts, and 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one start at Marlins Park. As expected, Odorizzi experienced no issues coming out of his simulated game a few days earlier, so the Rays have formally named his as their starter for Monday’s series opener.

Chen was lifted after five innings and 83 pitches in Philadelphia, after posting a season-high seven no-hit innings on 100 pitches in Seattle. Chen, who spent four years with the Orioles, has 117-1/3 innings against Tampa Bay under his belt — the most against any team. The five-pitch pitcher (92 mph four-seam fastball, 75 mph curveball, 83 mph changeup, 91 mph sinker and 85 mph slider) is 5-6 with a 3.76 ERA in 20 career starts against the Rays. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (4-9, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (4-13, 3B, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (11-40, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 BB), Logan Morrison (1-3), Derek Norris (3-12, HR, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (1-3, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (4-16, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Cobb, on the positive end of the spectrum, allowed just two earned runs over five innings on Wednesday in Baltimore. He, however, continued to struggle with his changeup, although he’s making progress. In his last start he threw his splitter 32 times, and got 18 swings (four whiffs).

Volquez has given up five first inning runs in five starts, and is susceptible to getting beaten up early. That’s good for the Rays, as they’ve scored 25 first inning runs; second only to Milwaukee, and 22.52% of their 121 total runs. Volquez is still seeking his first win in Miami. He is allowing loud, hard contact, and 51.9% of the balls put in play against the right-hander have been line drives or fly balls. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Volquez is 3-1 with a 3.65 ERA across six starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (3-6), Kevin Kiermaier (3-10, BB), Evan Longoria (5-17, 2B, 4 RBI), Brad Miller (2-3, HR, RBI), Logan Morrison (2-5, 3B, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (7-16, 3 2B, HR, 7 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (2-3, HR, 3 RBI), Rickie Weeks Jr. (7-19, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB)

Snell continues to struggle with his fastball command, failing to last more than five innings in four consecutive starts. He needed 96 pitches to get 15 outs in his last start. Snell appears to have a problem with consistent windups, forcing his pitches well out of the zone. His 18:18 strike to ball ratio through 26-1/3 innings is a touch worrisome to say the least…not that you haven’t heard that one before, or anything.

Conley allowed nine runs in 1-2/3 innings in his last star, after not allowing more than six previously. The southpaw also had gone six innings in each of his last two starts. The three-pitch hurler, that relies primarily on his 90 mph four-seam fastball, 85 mph slider and 83 mph changeup, is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one start against the Rays. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (1-2, 2B, BB)

Andriese snapped a streak of 18 starts in which he threw six innings or fewer, when he pitched seven and allowed three earned runs on Saturday. However, by surrendering a home run to Justin Smoak, he extended another streak to six straight starts in which he’s given up the long-ball.

Straily, a strike thrower, had a string of 12 straight innings without a walk snapped when he issued three consecutive free passes in his loss to the Pirates. Straily still has thrown well overall, fanning 29 batter in 26 innings this season. So far, Straily has depended upon a whiffy 91 mph four-seam fastball, and an 85 mph worm burner of a slider. He’s also mixed in an 84 mph circle change with natural sink. Key matchups: Brad Miller (1-4, 2B, BB), Logan Morrison (1-3), Colby Rasmus (2-5)

Noteworthiness

— The feel good story of the series, according to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times):

Rays rookie Chih-Wei Hu will be thrilled to see countryman Wie-Yin Chen pitch in person in the majors tonight when he starts for the Marlins. Even better would be for Hu to get in the game, as they are the only two current big-leaguers from Taiwan. “This will be a very big story in Taiwan,” Hu said. “I look at him like a superstar. I’m excited to see him pitch. It’s a big thing for me and it’s a big thing for Taiwan. A bigger thing would be if he’s pitching and I’m pitching in the game. That would be really cool.” Hu said that before leaving for spring training, he told Chen, “I’ll see you in the big leagues.” Tonight, he will.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Drew Smyly stymies the Padres Monday night in Rays 8-2 win

By Leave a Comment

Now with five straight quality starts under his belt, Drew Smyly has matched the longest streak of his career (April-May 2012 with DET).

Now with five straight quality starts under his belt, Drew Smyly has matched the longest streak of his career (April-May 2012 with DET). (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Logan Forsythe hit massive homer against his original team, and Drew Smyly collected his fifth consecutive quality start, as the Tampa Bay Rays opened a 10-game home stand with an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres. Tampa Bay has now won their last two games.

Below are some highlights from the contest.


Source: FanGraphs

— Smyly matched his longest career quality start streak on Monday, with his fifth consecutive quality start. And though Alexei Ramirez homered with one out in the first inning, that was the only hit the southpaw would allow over seven strong innings. Derek Norris walked twice, however, Smyly stymied the Padres hitters, coaxing 11 poppers over the course of his 87 pitch (57 strikes) outing.

Of Smyly’s 51 fastballs thrown, 12 forced swings and misses from San Diego’s all to eager hitters. His cutter was also very good, throwing 12/14 for strikes. Smyly was very efficient and pounded the zone with his only mistake being a middle-in fastball which Ramirez deposited into the seats.

location.php

— Forsythe’s go-ahead blast in the second inning gave the Rays all they’d need Monday night. Not only did it travel 440 feet, he now has five homers in his last 13 games.

— Following that second inning blast, both starters buckled down and held the opposition to 0-for-32 until the eighth inning. In that stretch, Smyly retired 14-of-16 with the only hiccups being the two walks of Norris.

— Kevin Kiermaier, who ended the night 3-for-4 including a homer, swiped a pair of bags.

— The Outlaw capped a five-run eighth inning rally with a three-run homer to right-center. He also spoke about his night after the game:

— In his return from the DL, Logan Morrison plated two RBI and helped break the game open for Tampa Bay in the eighth inning.

The New What Next

The Rays will go for the series win Tuesday night with LHP Blake Snell (3-5, 3.18 ERA) on the mound. He’ll be opposed by former Ray Edwin Jackson (3-2, 4.19 ERA). Snell has 58 strikeouts in 56-2/3 innings for 9.21 K/9 — top among AL rookie starters and third among all MLB rookie starters. Jackson is the only visiting pitcher to throw a no-no at Tropicana Field. Jackson is 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA in six games/five starts against his former team. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 8/16/16 Starting Lineup

Franklin 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller DH
Duffy SS
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Dickerson LF
Maile C
Snell RHP

Noteworthiness

— Why pull Smyly, in favor of Brad Boxberger (who walked a pair with two outs), after he threw just 87 pitches? Cash Said he knew Smyly wasn’t going to throw a complete game, and wanted Boxberger to get work. He felt like it was good spot for Box.

— Injury updates. LHP Enny Romero (back strain) threw a bullpen session Monday and is expected to begin his minor-league rehab stint this week. RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) is slated to make his sixth rehab start Tuesday night with Triple-A Durham, while RHP Chase Whitley (Tommy John) is scheduled to make his sixth at Class-A Charlotte.