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

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Under the big top, where the Rays will face the Braves in a two-game Interleague Series starting Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays will cap a five-game home stand by playing host to the Atlanta Braves in a two-game interleague series starting Tuesday. Despite falling 2-1 in the finale against Toronto on Sunday, the Rays took two of three from Jays, and are 11-4 over their last 15 games. Meanwhile, the Braves are coming off a series sweep at the hands of Evan Longoria and the San Francisco Giants, and are 8-7 over their last 15.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rays are swinging the bats well, currently averaging 4.44 runs per game thanks in large part to, C.J. Cron, who’s reached base safely in 13 consecutive games. Over that span Cron has accrued 13 RBI, and is now hitting .256 with seven home runs and 20 RBI on the season. Then there’s Wilson Ramos, who’s hit safely in 14 consecutive games — including nine extra base hits (four homers, five doubles) — and driven in 15 RBI.

The offense for the first place Braves (19-14) has played a large role in the team’s strong start, and is now averaging 5.48 runs per game, good for third in the Majors. Freddie Freeman continues to be one of the more productive members of Atlanta’s squad, collecting 10 hits and eight RBI in his last nine games. The 28 year-old slugger now boasts a .950 OPS and is hitting .307 with five home runs and 25 RBI on the season.

All told, Atlanta’s hitters are a big league best .274 at the plate, and lead the league with a .341 on-base percentage. However, with the exception of the number of runs scored (or driven in), the Rays and Braves offenses are startlingly close with one another over the last 14 days.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Whether Tampa Bay can end the home stand with an overall .500 record will depend on whether the team can sweep Atlanta. Pitching and defense will likely determine the outcome of series. Can the Rays defense — which has been very good all season, committing just 14 errors in the field (only Houston and Arizona have fewer) — continue to be solid? How about the pitching staff, which has gelled over the last 14-day, performing to an overall 3.27 ERA/3.03 FIP/3.53 xFIP line (3.14 ERA/2.92 FIP/3.64 xFIP by the starters, 3.46 ERA/3.17 FIP/3.42 xFIP by the ‘pen)?

Pitching Probables

Over the next couple of days Kevin Cash will lean on Blake Snell (4-1, 2.55 ERA) and the bullpen (6-10, 4.58 ERA). Brian Snitker will counter with Sean Newcomb (2-1, 3.38 ERA) and Julio Teheran (2-1, 3.65 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over 6-2/3 innings against the Tigers. The southpaw allowed a game-tying two-out solo home run against the final batter he faced in the seventh inning, although he was again impressive and efficient, throwing just 86 pitches (57 strikes, 66% strike ratio). Snell didn’t rack up the strikeouts after fanning at least nine in three of his past four starts, yet the effort was still good enough for his fifth straight quality start. Suffice it to say, Snell has fared well thus far, posting a 2.55 ERA and a .190 batting average over 42-1/3 innings. A cursory tale, the Braves rank third in the Majors with 181 runs scored and a .274 team batting average against left-handers.

Sean Newcomb picked up a win against the Mets on Wednesday, scattering two hits and a walk over seven scoreless frames while striking out eight. The left-hander threw 70 of 97 pitches for strikes (72% strike ratio) while generating 16 swinging strikes. He now has a total of 42 strikeouts on the season. Newcomb has conceded just three homers so far. This season he has relied primarily on a whiffy 93 mph four-seam fastball with little arm side movement, while also mixing in a hard 88 mph worm-killer changeup, and a biting 77 mph curveball with arm side movement. Key Matchups: Denard Span (1-3)

I will update this piece when Wednesday’s starter for the Rays is announced.

Julio Teheran tossed seven scoreless innings against the Mets on Thursday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six — carrying a no hitter into the seventh, which former Ray Asdrubal Cabrera broke up. Teheran exited his previous start with upper-back tightness, although his strong showing in his last start should ease any injury concerns. The 27 year-old has now thrown four quality starts over his past five outings, with his injury-shortened start against the Phillies marking the only time he didn’t toss six innings in that stretch. This season he has relied primarily on a whiffy 90 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking movement, an 89 mph sinker (using a two-seam fastball grip) with arm side run, and a whiffy 80 mph slider, while also mixing in an 82 mph changeup wit arm side fade. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-2, 2B, BB), Carlos Gomez (4-16, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Wilson Ramos (4-11, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Denard Span (13-35, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

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.