Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Price, Rays Shutdown Reds 2-1

Without a doubt, David Price took the hill Friday with a couple of factors weighing on his shoulders. I’d imagine Cesar Ramos’ impending start Sunday was ever-present in the back of Price’s mind — leaving Price with the realization that an über quality start would save the bullpen from being overworked. His previous 6 IP/4 ER outing undoubtedly factored into his desire to be dominant Friday as well. Whatever the case, the Reds’ struggling lineup didn’t fare well against Price, who was on last night. The Rays walked away from Great American Ballpark with their first victory against the Reds in Cincinnati (their second franchise win overall) on the heels of a 2-1 win.

The New What Next: Rays vs Reds — A Series Preview of Sorts

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off their first series loss of the season, thanks in part to their sluggish 4-for-18 performance wRISP (overall), in Kansas City. They’ll start a three game interleague series against the Reds in Cincinnati, Friday. The Rays may have struggled with offensive production in their previous series, BUT the Reds certainly aren’t lighting any fires themselves, having gone 7-for-30 in their previous series against the Cardinals. Much like the Rays of late, it’s been difficult for the reds to get anything going. The offense has, as a whole, really struggled, while the bullpen has already experienced a number of painful blow-ups (six meltdowns, tied for 4th in baseball). The Reds lead Tampa Bay 8-1– the Rays’ worst record against any team. The Reds swept the Rays in a three-game series back in 2005, scoring 34 runs. The last time Tampa Bay faced Cincinnati (2011), they dropped two of three, scoring all of seven runs while relinquishing 12.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blank Royals, 1-0

Tuesday night was chock full of excellent pitching and awkward circumstances. The Royals had the bases loaded not once, not twice, but three times — yet they had nothing to show for their efforts. Chris Archer successfully picked off Norichika Aoki at first, and there was a questionable call at second which was reviewed, yet not overturned. Then there was the whole “score knotted at 0-0 until the ninth inning,” thing. In the end, both Chris Archer and Yordan Ventura put together a pair of great outings, the Rays are able to hang their hats on their first victory in Kauffman Stadium in eight attempts, and the Rays beat the Royals by a score of 1-0. Game peripherals are below.

Matt Moore Injury Update – UCL Injury, Getting A Second Opinion

The Rays have yet to provide an update on LHP Matt Moore, who had an MRI exam this morning on his sore elbow. It would seem as though the plan is to put him on the disabled list. Adding credence to that idea, reliever Jeff Beliveau is on the way up from Durham to add arm an extra arm in the bullpen, also giving the Rays time to decide how to replace Moore in the rotation.