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The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

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The offense woke up in the series finale against the White Sox. Unfortunately, the pitching staff couldn’t contain Chicago’s “potent” offense. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles will begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays are holding onto postseason aspirations by a thread after a disappointing series loss to the White Sox, while the Orioles are still a lot of games under .500. Still, Baltimore won the last three meetings against Tampa Bay a week-and-a-half ago.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay bounced back from a series loss against the Orioles by sweeping the Los Angeles Angels. Yet whatever momentum the team generated from the series win was for not, as the White Sox silenced the Rays over a dismal, three-game weekend series. The Orioles didn’t fare much better this weekend past, dropping three of four against the Rangers. They enter the Trop with a 14-43 road record.

(Stats Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Chicago’s success against Tampa Bay was due, in part, to the pitching staff leaning heavily on secondary offerings. And while the Rays put a lot of runners on the base paths, they couldn’t bring them in, going 6-29 with runners in scoring position — good for a .207 wRISP batting average. In contrast, Baltimore maintained its productive hitting against Texas, yet the hurlers couldn’t slow down the Rangers. The Rays hope for a similar outcome from the Orioles pitching staff, lest they continue their backslide toward irrelevancy.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 3.00 ERA), likely Jalen Beeks (1-0, 10.80 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale on Thursday. Buck Showalter will counter with Alex Cobb (3-14, 5.84 ERA), Andrew Cashner (3-10, 5.05 ERA), and David Hess (2-6, 6.44 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Tyler Glasnow was impressive in his debut with the Rays, throwing three innings of one-run ball on 48 pitches (34 strikes, 71% strike rate, 21% SwStr rate). Glasnow allowed two hits (including a solo home run), one walk, and struck out five.

Fastball, curveball, slider today, I had a good feel for things, Glasnow said following the Rays’ win. I felt relaxed out there. Overall, the feel in this clubhouse is really good. It’s relaxed, it’s friendly.

Rays manager Kevin Cash had nothing but superlatives for the right-hander, saying,

Probably not going to (throw 70 percent strikes) all of the time. But a great start. If he’s featuring that kind of stuff at a 70 percent clip in the zone, he’s going to have a special career.

On Glasnow’s repertoire … The right-hander threw 24 of 35 four-seam fastballs for strikes (five whiffs), averaging 97.6 mph (and topping out at 99.5 mph); 3 of 5 sliders for strikes (1 whiff); and 7 of 8 curveballs for strikes (1 whiff). He was able to move his fastball all over the zone at will and played his off-speed stuff off of his heater.

The only real criticism for Glasnow, is that he left a fair number of hanging breaking pitches in hittable locations. One of those very hittable offerings was a 0-2 curveball that flattened out over the heart of the plate and was consequently hit into the Rays tank — thanks a lot, Kole Calhoun. Otherwise, it was an excellent introduction to the flame-throwing right-hander, who should have a longer leash his next time out.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the goal is to get Glasnow through four innings as he continues to stretch out his arm.

Alex Cobb allowed one run on seven hits while fanning six across six innings as he secured his third victory of the season on Wednesday. The former Ray has turned it around on the hill of late, this despite a 5.83 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 109-2/3 frames this season. Cobb has now surrendered seven runs over 23-1/3 innings (four starts) while recording 15 punch outs. Tampa Bay was able to get to the right-hander again on July 26, tagging him for four runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings of work. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3, RBI), Ji-Man Choi (2-3, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 2B), Michael Perez (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (3-5, 2B, BB), Joey Wendle (4-8, 2 RBI)

Jalen Beeks allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over five innings on Thursday. He struck out four. Beeks didn’t exactly set a high bar in his debut against the Orioles on July 28th, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings. Yet the southpaw looked considerably more composed over an efficient 71 pitches (47 strikes, 66% strike rate, 13/18 first-pitch strikes) Thursday, limiting the damage after Hunter Wood had been stellar over the first two innings as the opener. The key to Beeks’ bounce back success was two-fold: he got ahead of batters, and remained calm when things appeared like they might spiral out of control. He figures to be utilized in similar fashion Wednesday, with his ability to pitch multiple innings makes him a natural for the second-man-in role on “bullpen days.”

Andrew Cashner allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one across just 1-2/3 innings in a loss on Thursday against the Rangers. Cashner only allowed one home run, yet five consecutive Rangers reached base in the second inning before he was chased from the game. Cashner had pitched well over a 52-inning stretch prior to Thursday’s game, performing to a 3.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP — although he only managed 31 strikeouts. In that stretch, the right-hander limited the Rays to two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings of work back on the 27th. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3), CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3), Michael Perez (1-2), Joey Wendle (2-5, 3B, RBI, BB) 

I will update things when a starter in Thursday’s game is announced.

David Hess coughed up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk over 3-1/3 innings while striking out four Rangers. While some shitty defense helped deflect the blow to Hess’s ratios, most of it was by the pitcher himself, as he committed two of the Orioles three errors on the night. Hess has split his time out of the ‘pen and the rotation this season, although a lack of arms necessitated the starter status. In three games against Tampa Bay, Hess is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA … but, that over just 13-2/3 innings of work. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (2-6, HR, 3 RBI), Joey Wendle (4-5, BB)

Noteworthiness

Medical Matters…

— Right-handed relief pitcher Chaz Roe threw live batting practice on Monday in Port Charlotte and hopes to begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

— UTL Daniel Robertson underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb Monday morning and is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, likely ending his season.

— OF Tommy Pham is feeling better after suffering a hairline fracture in his right foot last week, although he is still on the same 2-4 week timetable for his return.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles part four — a series preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays left the confines of Tropicana Field after a 3-3 home stand, including another series win against the New York Yankees. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays head to Baltimore to battle the last place Orioles in a four-game series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, starting Thursday. The Rays rebounded from an ugly series loss against Miami to take two of three from the Yankees, while the Orioles split a rain shortened two-game set against Boston.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay made a pair of trades that will impact the team in the present and future tenses, dealing Nathan Eovaldi and Matt Andriese for southpaw Jalen Beeks, catcher Michael Pérez and RHP Brian Shaffer. Beeks and Pérez are expected to join the team on the road in Baltimore.

Pérez, 25, is highly regarded for his defensive prowess as well as his ability to hit right-handed pitching. He’s gunned down 34.8% of would be base stealers this season, and is slashing .284 BA/.342 OBP/.417 SLG/.759 OPS/.338 wOBA/99 wRC+ with nine doubles, six homers and 29 RBI in 58 games for Triple-A Reno. He is a career .246 BA/.321 OBP/.396 SLG/.717 OPS hitter over 572 games across eight Minor League seasons.

In adding the new backstop to the roster, the Rays designated catcher Adam Moore for assignment. The tandem of Jesus Sucre and Pérez should, if anything, help maintain the team’s offensive productivity over the balance of the season, especially if Wilson Ramos is moved within the next month.

When Perez and Beeks appear in a game, that will mean the Rays have had 19 rookies play and 48 different players this season. The youth wave has been learning and winning at the same time.

The Rays enter the series as fringe contenders in the AL Wildcard race, which isn’t lost on General Manager Erik Neander. Yet they are expected to make a few more deals by the trade deadline, with SS Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Carlos Gomez, Ramos, and RHP Sergio Romo said to be on the market. Yet the moves shouldn’t be viewed as a team that is conceding or waiving the white flag, rather the Rays are working on the now rather than only the distant future.

I hope that the current look and feel of this team and this roster, that there’s a different vibe to our fans than there has been the last few years, Neander said. I really hope that. There is for us. There is in the clubhouse. Will we win more games this year than we did last year? I don’t know. But there’s a trend line on this, there’s an arrow that’s pointing up instead of neutral with this group and what’s ahead of them, and it gives a lot of hope and excitement for the future. And that’s different.

That changes the focus a little bit, to just being a little more balanced to the now than the future than I think we have been.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays enter the series with Baltimore nine games back in the AL Wildcard race with an easier schedule over than either the Mariners (13 series vs. +.500 teams) or Athletics (12 series vs. +500 teams) with just over two months left to play. A series win would give Tampa Bay a W/L record of five or six games over .500 by the time the returns home for a nine-game home stand against three sub .500 ball clubs. Meanwhile, the Athletics will move on to a series against the fringe contending Rockies, while the Mariners have a few games against the Angels before they face the AL West leading Houston Astros.

All this is to say the Rays find themselves with an excellent opportunity to gain some ground in the Wildcard race against the worst team in baseball, which happens to be in the throes of a historically bad season.

Pitching Probables

As of right now the Rays have confirmed one opener and one starter for the series: Hunter Wood (0-0, 2.93 ERA) and Chris Archer (3-4, 4.30 ERA). The known known, Jaylen Beeks (5-5, 2.89 ERA at AAA) is expected to pitch at some point during the series … I assumed that might be on Saturday, although that will likely change. I’ll update things as they become clear. Buck Showalter will counter with Alex Cobb (2-13, 6.17 ERA), Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.40 ERA), Kevin Gausman (4-8, 4.54 ERA), and Yefry Ramirez (1-3, 4.24 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Hunter Wood allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings against the Yankees on Monday. Kevin Cash elected to use Wood as an opener for the second time this season, and he was lifted after tossing 37 pitches. Wood has been an effective arm out of the ‘pen this season, as he’s posted a 2.93 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 15-1/3 innings. However, 4.40 FIP suggest regression is due. Whatever the case, the right-handed Austin Pruitt or Ryan Yarbrough figure to pitch the bulk of the innings on Thursday.

Alex Cobb allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks against Toronto on Saturday. He struck out four. The former Ray got through three scoreless innings without really being threatened before he gave up three runs in a fourth inning in which Tim Beckham’s error played a key role. Since three of the four runs were unearned, Cobb lowered his ERA to a still-ugly 6.17. So far he is 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts this season (10-1/3 innings) against his former team. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (2-6, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Daniel Robertson (1-4, 2B, RBI), Mallex Smith (2-4, 2B), Joey Wendle (3-5, 2 RBI)

Chris Archer allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out 13 over six innings against the Marlins on Sunday. Archer collected a season-high 13 strikeouts in his 16th outing of the season and now sits with a 3.41 K/BB over 90 innings of work. Archer looks to improve his 4.30 ERA ahead of the trade deadline (it now appears the Rays may hold on to the right-hander).

Andrew Cashner allowed one run on six hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. He struck out two. Cashner surrendered his lone run in the fourth inning, and he was lifted from the game in the sixth inning after throwing 79 pitches (51 strikes, 65% strike rate). While Cashner improved on his previous outing (five runs over 6-1/3 innings vs. the Yankees), he couldn’t collect the victory. The 31-year-old is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA against the Rays this season after allowing five runs on 11 hits and four walks over five innings on May 26. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Daniel Robertson (3-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (1-3, 3B, RBI)

Jaylen Beeks is 34-28 with a 3.63 ERA in parts of five Minor League seasons, including a 5-5 record and a 3.29 ERA with Triple-A Pawtucket this season. He had two appearances for Boston in 2018, but he didn’t fare too well. In his first start against Detroit, Beeks allowed six runs over four innings of work, and in a relief appearance against the Rangers he allowed three runs in 2-1/3 innings. Yet in in Triple-A, he was named to the All-Star Game thanks in part to a 33% strikeout rate which leads qualified pitchers in the league. He’s also only walking seven percent of opposing batters.

Stuff wise, Beeks previously relied on a two-seam fastball and a slider at the start of his career, although he currently relies on a 92 mph four-seam fastball, a whiffy 86 mph changeup, a 75 mph curveball with sharp downward bite, and an 88 mph cutter with good “rise,” which has aided in his growth.

Kevin Gausman gave up five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over 4-2/3 innings on Monday against the Red Sox. Gausman allowed a second inning solo homer, followed by four runs in the fifth on just three hits. He exited the ballgame with a five-run deficit after tossing 79 pitches (44 strikes, 56% strike rate). The right-hander has struggled over his past two outings, surrendering 10 runs over 9-2/3 innings while striking out just four. Gausman is 1-1 in two starts this season against Tampa Bay. In his first outing he surrendered just two runs on 11 hits over 7-1/3 innings of work, but his second start against the Rays didn’t go nearly as well, as Gausman allowed seven runs on six hit over 2-2/3 innings on May 27. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (5-15, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-4), Mallex Smith (3-12, 3B, RBI, BB), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (2-6, RBI)

Tampa Bay’s starter in the series finale is TBA.

Yefry Ramirez allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out six. Ramirez gave up three solo home runs but otherwise earned his first big league win against one of the top offenses in baseball. The 24-year-old has been solid through his first six starts with a 3.49 ERA/4.61 FIP, 1.16 WHIP and 3.00 K/BB over 28-1/3 innings. This season he has relied primarily on his 87 mph cutter with strong cutting action, an 83 mph changeup and a 90 mph sinker with some armside run, while also mixing in a 91 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph slider.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part three

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Willy Adames was optioned back to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, while Joey Wendle was reinstated from paternity leave. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After salvaging the final game of their previous set against Boston, the Tampa Bay Rays welcome the Baltimore Orioles into Tropicana Field, where they are set to start a three-game series on Friday. So far the two teams have split the six games between each other this season.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rays offense has been inconsistent this season, although in all fairness they have been pitched against really well — something that became evident in their recent trio of losses against the Angels and Red Sox. Tampa Bay started the season as one of the worst offensive teams in the league, but got the offense going after the inauspicious 3-12 start, especially against teams outside of Boston, who they are 19-14 against. Thursday’s win capped a three-game losing skid.

The Orioles continued their rough start against the South-Siders, who they split a four-game series with. While they outpace the Rays in home runs (60) — and in spite of the 17-1 throttling levied on Tampa Bay a couple of weeks back — the O’s have been poor on offense, ranked 26th in the league in scoring; averaging just 3.92 runs per game while batting a combined .232. They haven’t been much better on the mound, performing to a combined 5.13 ERA, while ranking dead last in WHIP at 1.54. The pen hasn’t been much better, starting the series with a combined 4.49 ERA.

All this is to say that if the Rays want to get to where they think they should be, they MUST exact some revenge on the birds this weekend, and in the very least win the series.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on the hybrid ‘pen/starting rotation model* this weekend. So far we know that Sergio Romo (1-0, 4.34 ERA) will get the start on Friday and Sunday, while Ryne Stanek (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will toe the rubber on Saturday. It is thought that Ryan Yarbrough (4-2, 3.54 ERA), Anthony Banda (0-0, 5.40 ERA) and the recently promoted Vidal Nuno (3-1, 3.57 ERA) will be the long-men over the span of the series. Buck Showalter will counter with David Hess (1-1, 6.75 ERA), Andrew Cashner (2-5, 4.72 ERA), and Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.48 ERA).

We will update things if something different becomes apparent.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Sergio Romo started in back-to-back games against the Angels last weekend, throwing 2-1/3 innings of shutout baseball with six strikeouts, two walks and no hits among the nine batters he faced. Right-handers are hitting .196 off him this season. The right-hander has gone 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in 20 games overall, but 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA/1.34 FIP over the last 14 days.

Ryan Yarbrough took the mound after Romo on May 19th, and allowed just three hits and a walk over the next six frames, collecting four punch outs. During that stretch he allowed just two batters to reach over the minimum, while only one runner got into scoring position in the fourth inning. Yarbrough ended that frame by coaxing a fly-ball out to center from Andrelton Simmons.

David Hess gave up five runs on eight hits (including three home runs) over 4-2/3 innings against the Red Sox on May 20th. Moreover, he has allowed eight earned runs on 14 hits (including four homers) and two walks while striking out seven in two starts this season (10-2/3 innings). Hess was 30-28 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP in 96 games (90 starts) over five seasons in the minors, including 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Norfolk this season. Hess has relied upon a 92 mph fastball that lacks horizontal movement and tends to get barreled up when it’s elevated, an 83 mph slider with hard tilt with sweeping action that he uses as his put-away pitch, a 75 mph get-me-over curveball with mild depth and spin, and an 84 mph changeup that lacks the movement to provide deception against opposing batters. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3), Matt Duffy (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Brad Miller (1-3), Joey Wendle (3-3)

Ryne Stanek has allowed two home runs in six appearances (five innings), including a grand slam to Manny Machado on May 11th. Still, Stanek’s much improved splitter offsets his four-seam fastball, although his .437 wOBA against right-handers leaves a lot to be desired — as does the fact that he tends to give up medium-to-hard contact. I imagine that he will be a one and done pitcher on Saturday.

Anthony Banda has allowed five runs on nine hits (including a home run) and two walks over 8-1/3 combined innings against the Royals and Angels this season.

Andrew Cashner allowed two runs on eight hits and thee walks over five innings on Monday. He struck out four. In spite of a  none too efficient outing, Cashner made the big pitch when he needed to, and was helped out by an outfield assist at home plate as well. His inability to keep runners off base, however, looks like it will be a problem all season long. Cashner hasn’t walked fewer than two batters in a start yet, and has struggled mightily to keep his pitch counts down even when he’s been on his game. This season he has relied primarily on his 93 mph sinker using a two-seam fastball grip and a 94 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in a hard 82 mph 12-6 curveball, an 88 mph cutter with natural sink, and an 84 mph changeup. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-2, 2B, BB), Matt Duffy (4-13, 3B, RBI, BB), Brad Miller (2-4, RBI, 2 BB), Denard Span (7-22, 2B, 5 RBI, BB)

Vidal Nuno was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. He posted a 3-1 record with a 3.57 ERA and 3.70 FIP with the Bulls. Per FanGraphs,

He’s (nuno) a strike-thrower. He’s thrown strikes as both a starter and as a reliever, and while he’s never been a swing-and-miss type, his contact rates haven’t been terrible. On top of that, when Nuno moved to the bullpen, his stuff didn’t really play up. It’s easier, then, to imagine him as a starter again, throwing the same pitches around the same speeds. Don’t be too turned off by his home-run rates — he just allowed the same average exit velocity as Justin Verlander and Johnny Cueto. I don’t think it’s a stretch to look at Nuno and think he has some shot of being another Wei-Yin Chen. The core abilities there are pretty similar.

Kevin Gausman fanned 10 in 6-1/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday. He allowed nine hits and one walk in the no-decision against. Gausman was staked to a two-run lead when he left the game, but Baltimore’s ‘pen gave it up. This was Gausman’s sixth quality start on the season, and perhaps his most impressive of all, as he recorded a career-high 25 swinging strikes against a befuddled White Sox lineup. He now has an excellent 3.87 K/BB and 3.48 ERA over 62 innings of work. He allowed two runs on 11 hits over 7-1/3 innings against Tampa Bay on the 11th, and is 6-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 13 career starts against the Rays. Seven of those starts came at the Trop, where he is 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (5-14, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-4), Wilson Ramos (3-12, HR, RBI), Rob Refsnyder (3-8, 2B, BB), Mallex Smith (3-10, 3B, BB), Denard Span (6-13, 3 2B, 3 RBI), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, 1 RBI), Joey Wendle (1-4)

Noteworthiness

— *Curious about the Rays new approach to pitching? We’ll have analysis of the move this weekend.

— OF Carlos Gomez (groin strain) ran and took batting practice with no issues. He will play in an extended Spring Training game Friday in Port Charlotte and, if all goes well, come off the DL Saturday or Sunday.

— RHP Nathan Eovaldi (arthroscopic elbow surgery) came through his fourth and final rehab outing Thursday feeling fine, although he gave up 10 hits for Triple-A Durham. He’s expected to join the rotation Monday or Tuesday in Oakland.

— SS Willy Adames was optioned back to Triple-A Durham after the game Thursday, with INF Joey Wendle returning from a three-day paternity leave.

Adames told reporters he appreciated the opportunity and felt like he learned a lot during his three-game stint. Adames went 2-12 with six strikeouts over his three games stint, hitting a homer off Chris Sale and throwing Eduardo Nunez out at home. However, he also made a costly ninth-inning throwing error Wednesday that led to three runs.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part two

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Oriole Park at Camden Yards, site of the upcoming four-game series between the Rays and the Orioles. (Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun)

So it begins, the Tampa Bay Rays are set begin the most important stretch of their season on Friday, a period of action that finds them playing 40 games in 41 days. First stop Baltimore, where they are set to take on the Orioles in a four-game, three-day series starting Friday.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The American League East rivals met late last month in Baltimore, and the Rays took each of the two encounters that occurred. Unfortunately the first game of that series was rained out, hence the doubleheader on Saturday. Tampa Bay’s offense has fallen off the last few games, although the team is batting .259 (fifth in MLB) and boasts a .331 on-base percentage (sixth in MLB). The Rays are hovering around .500 but have lost three in a row.

Meanwhile, Baltimore is the worst team in baseball but at least they managed to put an end to an eight-game losing streak by beating Kansas City both on Wednesday and Thursday, consequently winning the series. The Orioles are 29th in batting average, 30th in on-base percentage, 27th in slugging percentage, and 29th in runs scored.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will turn to Jake Faria (3-1, 4.15 ERA), the bullpen (6-10, 4.35 ERA), Chris Archer (2-2, 5.32 ERA) and Blake Snell (4-2, 2.40 ERA). Buck Showalter will counter with Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.30 ERA), Alex Cobb (0-4, 7.61 ERA), a pitcher to be named later, and Dylan Bundy (1-5, 5.31 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Jake Faria allowed one run on three hits and a walk over 5-1/3 innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday. He struck out out four. The right-hander has now allowed no more than one run in five of his seven starts this season, although he has only lasted long enough to produce two quality starts thanks to the Rays reluctance to allow certain hurlers to face batters three times through the order. Faria is 1-0 with a 4.78 in five games (four starts) against Baltimore.

Kevin Gausman allowed just two hits and two walks while fanning six across nine scoreless innings on Saturday. He, however, did not factor into the decision. Gausman’s line is slightly misleading, as only 66 of his 113 pitches went for strikes. He also threw a low percentage first pitch strikes, although it did not come back to haunt him via walks or hard contact. Since getting knocked around for six earned runs in his season debut, Gausman has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his following six starts, and now owns a neat 3.30 ERA over 43-2/3 innings. This season he has relied on his 93 mph four-seam fastball with arm-side run and an 83 mph worm killer splitter, while also mixing in an 81 mph 12-6 slider. He is 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-10, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Wilson Ramos (2-8, HR, RBI), Rob Refsnyder (3-8, 2B, BB), Mallex Smith (3-7, 3B, BB), Denard Span (4-9, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Jesus Sucre (2-6, 2 2B, RBI)

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

Alex Cobb allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, while striking out five over six innings in a loss to the Athletics on Sunday. Cobb has put together back-to-back quality starts, although he is bereft of his first win of the season. His offense failed him Sunday, as the Orioles were able to push across just one run. In spite of solid performances in his last two outings, Cobb still sits with a 7.61 ERA/5.32 FIP and 2.03 WHIP as a result of a disastrous start to the season. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Brad Miller (4-9, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (1-2), Denard Span (2-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (2-3, RBI)

Chris Archer fanned six, walked none and scattered five hits over seven strong innings on Sunday. Previous to this start, Archer had performed to a 6.05 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP, but he notched his second consecutive quality start and his third in his last four outings. His current peripherals still aren’t pretty, and he hasn’t been striking out batters at quite as prolific a rate as he had in the past, but he appears ready to move past his early season struggles and start to hack away at those ugly peripherals. Archer is 6-8 with a 4.92 ERA in 17 starts against Baltimore, including a 5-1/3 inning, four-run outing on April 26th.

I will update this piece when Saturday’s starter for the Orioles is announced.

Blake Snell allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 6-1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Braves. He struck out five. The southpaw threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 25 batters and induced 13 swinging strikes, allowing him to Atlanta’s lineup off balance for most of the night. His only real mistake came on a solo home run from Ronald Acuna in the third inning, on a slider that hung up over the middle of the plate. His loss was of the hard luck variety, as it was due to a lack of run support. Otherwise, Snell has been outstanding over his last six starts, allowing two runs or fewer in each while posting a 4.78 K/BB over that span. Snell is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore,

Dylan Bundy allowed seven runs on five hits and two walks while not recording an out in the 15-7 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday. Bundy allowed four home runs over over a seven batter span, and managed to do so with only 28 pitches. Over his last three outings, Bundy has allowed 22 runs (19 earned) on 23 hits (including nine home runs) across just nine innings. Bundy started the season with a fantastic 1.42 ERA across 31-2/3 innings — with 40 punch outs and only one home run allowed — but has recently looked like a completely different pitcher. Bundy has relied primarily on his 92 mph four-seam fastball and an 82 mph slider, while also mixing in a 75 mph curveball, 84 mph changeup and 92 mph sinker. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 7.61 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Carlos Gomez (1-4), Brad Miller (4-11, 2B, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (4-7, RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (2-3, 2B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Left-hander Anthony Banda will be promoted at some point this weekend. It is not immediately clear whether he would be added to the roster Friday (someone would need to be optioned to make room) or if he is being added as the 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader.

Banda is 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Durham, with 44 strikeouts and 16 walks over 36 innings. He was 2-3 with a 5.96 ERA in eight games last season for the Diamondbacks.

— The Rays have suffered another dent to their depth, as 21 year-old RHP Jose Mujica has been sidelined with a forearm strain. Mujica had shown well over his first six starts with Triple-A Durham, working to a 3.13 ERA with 32 punch outs against ten walks in 31-2/3 innings of work. His anticipated timeline is not yet known.

— The Orioles received another blow, as RHP Darren O’Day was placed on the 10-day DL with a hyper-extended right elbow. Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors) wrote about the injury, saying:

Eduardo A. Encina provides some insight into the injury that sent righty Darren O’Day to the 10-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. O’Day explains that a “freak accident” occurred during the middle innings of Tuesday’s game as he began stretching and getting loose. A teammate inadvertently ran into his arm while he was stretching it, hyperextending the right elbow and initially causing O’Day to fear that he’d suffered a serious injury. An MRI revealed no structural damage in O’Day’s right arm, and manager Buck Showalter actually said that the MRI was “remarkably good” for a pitcher in his mid-30s.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays leave the confines of the Trop, where they went 5-4 over their last nine-game home stand. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays left the Tampa Bay area in favor of a nine-game road trip following their series finale with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. First stop Baltimore, where the Rays will face the Orioles in a rain shortened two-game series, starting Wednesday. Tampa Bay is coming off a three-game sweep of the Twins, and has won four consecutive games overall — five of their last six. Meanwhile, Baltimore dropped the final three games of a four-game set against Cleveland.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Both teams have struggled over the first month of play, although the Rays have turned it around thanks in large part to the offense, which has put up six runs per game (on average) over their last six games. The offense should chug along against an Orioles team that has allowed 6.11 runs per game (on average) over a nine-game stretch.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

One thing is certain, when the Rays have put the ball in play, they have been successful (at least as it relates to BABIP. The series number runs across the X-Axis, while the BABIP climbs up the Y-Axis (see below).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Orioles have been abysmal, if I may be so blunt. A series win against Baltimore, which would be their third series win in a row — and the fourth in five tries — would go a long way in building momentum ahead of their jaunt into that crappy, sardine can of a stadium also known as Fenway.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Jacob Faria (1-1, 5.82 ERA) and Chris Archer (1-1, 6.59 ERA) over the first two games of the set, and the bullpen (3-7, 5.14 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday. Buck Showalter will counter with Alex Cobb (0-2, 15.43 ERA), Dylan Bundy (1-2, 1.42 ERA), and Chris Tillman (0-4, 9.87 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Jacob Faria picked up a win over Texas on Wednesday after he allowed just one run on five hits and a walk over six innings, while fanning six. He threw 53 of 80 pitches for strikes (66% strike ratio), with his only real mistake resulting in a third inning solo shot by Shin-Soo Choo. It was Faria’s first quality start of the season, as well as his first victory since last July 25 — a stretch of eight starts and two relief appearances since his last win.

Alex Cobb allowed seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits and one walk over 3-1/3 innings on Thursday against the Tigers. He stuck out four batters. Suffice it to say, Cobb’s tenure with the Orioles is off to a rocky start, as he’s now allowed 15 runs (12 earned) in just seven innings across his first two starts. He’s struggled immensely thus far — allowing 10 hits and failing to make it past the fourth inning in both outings — although he could still be working out some kinks after signing late in Spring Training. This start will mark his first against his former team, which he spoke about in an interview with Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times):

It will be a little odd seeing the jersey, Cobb said. Been part of the family for so long. …It’s always sad to see whenever an organization breaks down the core of a team, especially one a fan base got to enjoy and to watch for a long time. You never want to see it. They found it was the right time to experiment with some things. And we know the financial constraints they’re up against. …But it’s tough to see. It took a long time to build it up. And to see it get broken down pretty much overnight, it’s strange to see.

Chris Archer allowed a second inning homer in his last start, then settled down from that point on.

Archer got better depth on his slider and paired it with a lively fastball, as well a changeup which he largely threw to southpaw hitters. In fact, Archer threw 14 changeups on the night (10 for strikes, two whiffs) — a rarity of sorts. Archer notched a of whiffy strikeout of Kepler, and coaxed a ground ball out from Morrison in the seventh, both via the changeup.

All told, Archer went 6-2/3 innings and allowed just two runs on four hits, while walking one and fanning five. He threw 92 pitches (62 strikes, 67% K/BB).

Dylan Bundy allowed one run on five hits and struck out nine over six innings to earn his first victory of the season against Cleveland on Friday. Cleveland’s lone run came on a bases-loaded HBP to score Jason Kipnis, yet Bundy scattered three hits and a walk over the next five frames. The right-hander has been very good at the onset of the season, and now owns a 1.42 ERA to go along with a 1.11 WHIP and 40 punch-outs across 31-2/3 innings. This season he has relied primarily on a 92 mph four-seam fastball with good “rising action”, and a whiffy 82 mph slider. He also has mixed in an 84 mph changeup with slight armside fade, a 92 mph sinker, and a 75 mph curveball with a lot of bite. Key Matchups: Brad Miller (2-8, HR, RBI), Mallex Smith (2-5, RBI), Denard Span (1-3, 2B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays can match their longest winning streak (five games) under the management of Kevin Cash with a win on Wednesday.

— Medical Matters…

Matt Duffy had what had been called “a really good workday” on Tuesday, with plans to play in a simulated game in Port Charlotte on Wednesday. He is slated to advance to a rehab game with either the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs, or Triple-A Durham Bulls on Thursday, and he can return as early as Friday.

Nathan Eovaldi continued his recovery from March 30th surgery to remove pieces of loose cartilage from his elbow, tossing a 25-pitch bullpen session at Tropicana Field.

Pretty remarkable, but knowing him not surprising, Rays manager Kevin Cash told the Tampa Bay Times. That’s great. We’ve got to do a good job of managing him simply because he’s so eager to get back, and he puts a lot of pressure on himself and his rehab.

At this point it isn’t known whether Eovaldi would be slotted back into the starting rotation, with the potential for a five-man crew, or if he would he throw out of the ‘pen. The relief staff could either use some help or some extra rest, performing to a 5.14 ERA and 4.47 FIP on the season.