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The Rays look to bounce back in a doubleheader today after a washout in the Bronx Wednesday night. On Tuesday, the Rays saw their three-game win streak end, not to mention their three-game streak against New York. Tampa Bay is 5-10 against the Yankees this season, and enter play six games behind the Yankees, and a half-game in front of Cleveland and Oakland for the top Wildcard spot.

The Rays have had a difficult time limiting homers the last two nights. Left-hander Colin Poche gave up not one, but two homers in the eighth inning, including a grand slam. The Yankees have scored all 12 of their runs via the longball — hitting seven thus far.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (8-4, 3.11 ERA) will get the ball for the Rays, pitching opposite of Domingo German (11-2, 3.40 ERA). In the second game, Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.35 ERA) will take the mound against a pitcher to be named before game time — Chad Green could open if he’s not used in game one.

Yonny Chirinos allowed just two runs on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts across seven innings. The Orioles scored two-out runs in the third and fourth innings, their only tallies against the Rays starter. The 25-year-old turned in his best outing since June 7, although he has pitched well over the last month-plus. Overall, Chirinos is 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 89 punch outs across 107 innings this season.

Domingo German tossed six scoreless frames against the Blue Jays on Friday, fanning seven and walking none while allowing just three hits. He coaxed 13 whiffs on his curveball in the outing. German’s breaking ball may not have a reputation yet, but it is one of baseballs best curves. He hit a bit of a rough patch in four starts from the middle of May to the beginning of June (7.32 ERA, 1.53 WHIP), but has pitched well otherwise this season. German is 2-0 with a 6.75 ERA in four career outings (three starts) against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, BB), Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (1-2), Brandon Lowe (1-3), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Charlie Morton gave up two runs on six hits over six innings on Saturday. He struck out six and walked one. Morton got into a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, consequently allowing a two-run single, yet he kept the Orioles in check otherwise. The 35-year-old has allowed up 10 runs (eight earned) total and has a 6.83 K/BB in his last five starts (31-1/3 innings).

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part five

Rays 7/18/19 Starting Lineup Game One

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1. Meadows LF
2. Diaz 3B
3. Lowe DH
4. Kiermaier CF
5. Garcia RF
6. Choi 1B
7. d’Arnaud C
8. Wendle 2B
9. Adames SS

Rays 7/18/19 Starting Lineup Game Two

1. Meadows RF
2. Pham LF
3. Lowe 1B
4. Diaz DH
5. Kiermaier CF
6. Adames SS
7. Wendle 2B
8. Brosseau 3B
9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have yet to score more than three runs against a conventional New York starter while Chirinos has been on the mound.

— Due to the fact the doubleheader was set up with less than 48 hours notice, a 26th man is only available for game two. Austin Pruitt would have been a candidate, however, he was placed on the injured list for Durham yesterday.

— Matt Duffy went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two runs batted in for the Durham Bulls on Wednesday. The third baseman is close to rejoining the team after missing the entire season so far with hamstring and back injuries.

Talked to him today, and he’s in a really good spot. He’s champing at the bit. … He wants to be playing tonight for us, which is a good thing. It’s nice to see him get to that spot, and now we know that he’s getting closer. I expressed to him to get a couple more games in, and we’ll see how it plays out, but look for him, if everything keeps going (well), to join us shortly.

— Kevin Cash

— Brandon Lowe (right shin contusion) ran at Tropicana Field on Tuesday and reportedly didn’t feel “anything really that bad,” according to the Rays manager. Lowe has been sidelined since July 3 after fouling consecutive pitches off the shin.

The infielder is projected to return to the lineup this weekend in St. Pete.

He’s doing OK; he’s going to hit and get on the field. We just have to get him baseball activity now. It’s been a while.

— Kevin Cash

After a much needed 5-3 win over Oakland on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to make it two in a row this afternoon. Willy Adames and Brandon Lowe came up big in the win, both collecting three hits apiece.

In order to make room for Brosseau on the 40-man roster, the #Rays transferred Anthony Bemboom to the 60-day IL.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 22, 2019

Tampa Bay used seven pitchers last night, and have made multiple moves in advance of Saturday’s contest. Austin Pruitt, who hurled three innings was optioned to Triple-A Durham while Daniel Robertson was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation. To compensate, the Rays recalled LHP Adam Kolarek and promoted 3B/UTL, Mike Brosseau. Catcher Anthony Bemboom was moved to the 60-day IL to create space on the 40-man roster for Brosseau.

Like Robertson, Brosseau has the ability to play all over the diamond, which could allow the utility man to see regular action against left-handed pitching while he’s on the active roster. Over 283 plate appearances with the Bulls this season, Brosseau has slashed .313 BA/.406 OBP/.579 SLG/.985 OPS with 35 extra-base hits including 14 homers. His .416 wOBA and 148 wRC+ are impressive, as is his ability to see a lot of pitches and put the ball in play (11.7 BB%, 17.7 K%).

Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio Blog) at the time of his call-up Brosseau was leading the International League in RBI (57), was third in runs scored (50), second in doubles (20), and fifth in OPS (.985)

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (7-3, 3.00 ERA) will get the start for the Rays this afternoon, pitching opposite of Mike Fiers (7-3, 4.38 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six on Monday. The right-hander fired off his second consecutive quality start, but with Masahiro Tanaka throwing a shutout for the Yankees, that wasn’t good enough. Chirinos owns a 3.00 ERA and a 4.53 K/BB over 81 innings this season. He allowed two runs on seven hits (including a homer) and a walk on June 12 against Oakland, while punching out seven.

Mike Fiers yielded two unearned runs on three hits and two walks across six innings on Monday, fanning four batters. Fiers has earned a win in three straight starts and has won five consecutive decisions dating back to May 7. Baltimore collected both of their runs in the second inning after a throwing error by Matt Chapman. Fiers lowered his ERA to 4.26 across 82-1/3 innings. He limited the Rays to two runs on three hits (including a homer) and a walk across six innings on June 11. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-2, HR, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (4-8, 2B), Guillermo Heredia (1-3, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (3-10), Tommy Pham (1-3, HR, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Athletics — a Journey to the End of the East Bay

Rays 6/22/19 Starting Lineup

1. Lowe 2B
2. Pham LF
3. Choi 1B
4. Meadows RF
5. Garcia DH
6. Kiermaier CF
7. Adames SS
8. Wendle 3B
9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, right-hander Anthony Banda scheduled to pitch a couple of innings with the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Sunday.

— You can read about the ongoing Rays Stadium Saga at the links below. I know, I also have a headache…beer me the strength.

Rays suggest the most reasonable solution to the stadium saga is to play half their home games in two cities

Times: The Rays launch a Montreal missile. Don’t let it divide Tampa Bay.