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

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The Rays finished off their nine-game homestand with a 7-2 record, including four wins against two pretty good teams. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays finished off their penultimate homestand of the 2018 season in dramatic fashion, winning two out of three against the Oakland Athletics, who lead them in the AL Wildcard race with 14 left to play. Following the 5-4 win against Oakland on Sunday, the Rays hit the road for their final road trip of the season, kicking off with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, in Arlington. The Rangers are coming off a two-game series win against the Padres, although they dropped their series finale in San Diego.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

While improbable (yet not impossible), the Rays are still in the fight for a postseason berth. They start the series with the Rangers seven games behind the Athletics — although they did pick up a couple of games this weekend — and surprisingly 8-1/2 games behind the Yankees, whom they’ll face at home from September 24 – 27. Tampa Bay does have a tragic number of seven, so it will be incumbent on the kids to keep up their tepid spate of play in the hope that either the Athletics or the Yankees — who have lost five of their last 10 — will fall off the pace.

For what it’s worth, the A’s will face the Angels six more times this season, and the Mariners three more times. Thus far the Athletics are 6-7 vs. Anaheim and 7-9 vs. Seattle. Meanwhile, the Yankees open up a series against Red Sox on Monday, and they are 5-8 against Boston this season.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Even though Texas has gone 6-9 over the last 15 games, there really isn’t an opportunity for the Rays to take the Rangers for granted. Tampa Bay beat Texas two games to one back in April, although with just a +1 run differential. If the previous two series against Cleveland and Oakland were must wins in order to gain ground in the postseason chase, this set is equally as important as Tampa Bay attempts to keep pace with the Athletics and now the Yankees.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on Tyler Glasnow (1-6, 4.48 ERA), AL Cy Young Award candidate Blake Snell (19-5, 2.03 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before Thursday’s ballgame. Jeff Banister will counter with Adrian Sampson (0-1, 1.80 ERA), Yovani Gallardo (8-5. 5.94 ERA), and Yohander Méndez (1-1, 5.54 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Tyler Glasnow tossed a solid bounce-back performance last Tuesday, after giving up seven runs in his previous outing against Toronto. With the game tied at zero in the fifth inning, Yan Gomes launched a 0-1 breaking ball over the centerfield wall, his 14th home run of the season. An inning later, Edwin Encarnacion crushed a first-pitch fastball into the left-field seats, his 30th. Those were the only runs Glasnow would allow across seven innings as he limited Cleveland to six hits while striking out three. Glasnow has given up just three runs in 14 innings against Cleveland, yet he has not received any run support.

Adrian Sampson allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two across five innings on Tuesday. Sampson was a hard-luck loser as Texas was shut down by a parade of Angels relievers. The right-hander doesn’t have overpowering stuff and threw mostly sinkers, mixing in a changeup or a slider from time to time in what became his second career big league start. The right-hander made his first start back in 2016, but suffered a flexor tendon injury in his right arm while warming up for his second and has spent two years trying to get back to the bigs.

Blake Snell picked up his 19th win of the season on Wednesday, allowing one run on just one hit and two walks while striking out nine across seven innings. Snell was dominant, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning before serving up a leadoff solo homer to Jose Ramirez on a hanging curveball. The southpaw has now won seven consecutive games, while his 19 wins are the most in the majors. Snell also owns an impressive 2.03 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and a 10.7 K/9 across 28 starts this season, putting him firmly in the AL Cy Young discussion.

Yovani Gallardo allowed six runs on six hits and one walk while fanning four over three innings of a loss to the Angels on Wednesday. Four of the six hits allowed went for extra bases, including a two-run homer by Jose Fernandez, which essentially knocked Gallardo out of the game. Gallardo’s results have gone in the opposite direction since he started the season 7-1 thanks to unsustainable run support. He has lost four of his last five decisions and resembles a pitcher with a 6.67 ERA/5.91 FIP. Key Matchups: Carlos Gomez (3-8, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (6-15, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB)

TBA

Yohander Méndez pitched well on Friday, tossing five scoreless innings of relief while allowing three hits and three walks with five strikeouts. He was called upon after “opener” Connor Sadzeck tossed one scoreless inning. Mendez has managed to drop his ERA from 14.73 to 3.86 over his last 15 innings, giving up just two runs and seven hits over that span. This season, he has relied primarily on a 93 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action but little natural movement, while also mixing in a firm 84 mph changeup with slight cutting action, a 91 mph sinker, and 85 mph slider, and an 80 mph curveball. Key Matchups: Jesus Sucre (1-1)

The New What Next: Rays vs Rangers — a series preview; Kiermaier injury update

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Blake Snell is coming off a quality start in which he gave up no runs, yet walked five. (Photo Credit: Unknown)

A pair of American League teams, that are off to disappointing starts, are set to start a three-game series in St. Petersburg, when the Tampa Bay Rays play host to the Texas Rangers starting Monday night.

Tampa Bay completed a three-game Interleague set with the Phillies on Sunday, yet were drubbed by Gabe Kapler’s crew for the second consecutive game, thus handing Philadelphia a three-game sweep. The Rays are now sitting in the basement of the American League with a 3-11 record. Meanwhile, after dropping five in a row, the Rangers won the last two games of their series against the Astros to improve to 6-11 on the season.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rangers took the season series in 2017, 4-2, sweeping a three game set at Tropicana Field from July 21-23, 2017.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days Kevin Cash will lean on Blake Snell (1-1, 3.60 ERA), *Yonny Chirinos (0-0, 0.00 ERA), and Jacob Faria. Jeff Banister will counter with Martin Perez (1-1, 11.88 ERA), Matt Moore (0-3, 8.76 ERA), and Cole Hamels (1-2, 4.50 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed one run on one hit, yet five walks, over six innings on Tuesday against the White Sox. While Snell’s control was questionable, the southpaw had an otherwise great outing, punching out 10 batters. Talk about a bounce-back, in his previous two starts, Snell had struck out just seven combined batters over nine innings. After making three starts, Snell owns a respectable 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, but a shaky 4.73 FIP and a very lucky .182 BABIP.

Martin Perez took the loss after he allowed eight earned runs on nine hits and four walks across three innings. He struck out two. Perez has now given up 11 earned runs on 19 hits (including a pair of homers) and four walks over 8-1/3 combined innings. This season, the 27 year-old has relied on a 92 mph sinker, while also mixing in a firm 84 mph circle changeup, a 77 mph curveball, and a fly-ball inducing 91 mph four seam fastball. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (5-18, 2B, 3B, 6 RBI), Daniel Robertson (1-2), Jesus Sucre (1-2)

Yonny Chirinos allowed four hits and one walk 5-1/3 shutout innings on Wednesday against the White Sox. He fanned five. The right-hander has flummoxed big-league hitters over his first three MLB outings, throwing 14-1/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox (twice) and White Sox lineups, and allowing just eight hits and a pair of walks, while striking out 12. His ground ball rate is a solid 50%, and his strikeout rate is a pristine 14.41 K/9 (9.00 K/BB). Should he start Tuesday — a starter for that game has yet to be officially announced — and if he again performs well, he will have made a good case for cementing himself in the starting rotation.

Matt Moore took the loss on Wednesday after he allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out two. The former Ray threw just 57 of 96 pitches for strikes (59% strike ratio), although Wednesday’s outing was the longest of the young season. …So that counts for something, right? In no uncertain terms, Matty Moe’s 8.76 ERA and 1.29 K/BB over 12-1/3 innings were not what the Rangers hoped for when they acquired him. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3), Matt Duffy (1-3, HR, RBI), Denard Span (2-6)

Jacob Faria took a no-decision against the Phillies on Friday, although he gave up just one earned run on two hits over 5-1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven. It was a nice bounce-back for the right-hander, who was lit up for eight earned runs over just 1-2/3 innings by Boston in his previous start. He, however, still has issued more walks than strikeouts over his first 11 innings, with 10 free passes against nine K’s.

Cole Hamels came away with a no-decision in a loss to the Astros, after he allowed just two runs on six hits (including two solo homers) and two walks over six innings. He fanned seven. The two George Springer solo shots were the only blemishes on his line for the night. Hamels threw 68 of 106 pitches for strikes (64% strike ratio) in his first quality start of the season. Home runs are a problem for the southpaw — he’s now given up seven over 22 innings, overshadowing a 2.72 K/BB. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (3-9, 3 RBI), Carlos Gomez (6-22, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Adeiny Hechavarria (11-29, 2B, 4 3B, 4 RBI, BB), Rob Refsnyder (1-1, BB), Denard Span (8-30, 2B, 2RBI, 4 BB), Jesus Sucre (4-6, 2B, 2 RBI)

Noteworthiness

— For a third straight season, Kevin Kiermaier will miss a significant number of games because of an injury, this time to his right thumb, after he sustained a torn ligament. Kiermaier will undergo surgery to repair the ligament and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks. An official announcement from the team is expected Monday afternoon.

The injury occurred after Kiermaier blooped a single in front of Phillies left-fielder Rhys Hoskins in his first at-bat. When Hoskins bobbled the ball, the centerfielder took off toward second base, diving headfirst and “jamming” his right thumb on the bag he tried not to slide past.

I go in there and I knew it was going to be a close play and just kind of got caught on the ground, and the thumb kind of got caught at a weird angle, Kiermaier said quietly in the Rays clubhouse while wearing a soft cast on his right hand.

It was one of those things where I thought I had a chance to overslide the bag, which I’ve done a couple times in my career, and I was just trying to hold on. I don’t know if that’s what made my thumb go at the angle it did, but I definitely thought I jammed it. I didn’t like the way my thumb felt after that as far as how it was looking and how it was moving.

He was pulled from the game in the top half of the inning after testing his thumb out, by gripping a ball, in the dugout.

It wasn’t right. We’ll get further tests tomorrow and final word what’s going to happen, but it’s just unfortunate, Kiermaier said. It’s just another freak accident. I can’t believe I’m saying this for a third year in a row now. The hardest part about all this is I feel like I let a lot of people down. My teammates, the community, coaches. I harped on this in spring training all year, I said I just want to stay healthy for my teammates and put my talents on display for a full year, and that’s in jeopardy right now.

Suffice it to say, no one in the clubhouse is too excited prospect of the Outlaw again being placed on the disabled list, including manager Kevin Cash.

He’s going to get an MRI (exam) tomorrow. Not too excited the potential of it, manager Kevin Cash said. I don’t want to get too far ahead of it, but he’s going to be out.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) noted that Mike Trout underwent a similar procedure last season, and bounced back within seven weeks:

Based on the similarity of the injury to what Angels star Mike Trout sustained last year on a similar play, that could mean an absence of at least seven weeks.

Kiermaier, though, injured the thumb on his right hand, which he uses to grip the ball to throw, and could mean a longer absence.  Trout tore the ligament in his left, non-throwing, hand, had surgery and came back with no issues.

Johnny Field, who made his big league debut on Saturday, stepped in for Kiermaier on Sunday. He could be considered a candidate to fill in for the Gold Glove winning centerfielder

It, however, seems likely that the team will shift Carlos Gomez from right to center. Another option could be to play Mallex Smith in center, although his defensive concerns might make him a liability in the biggest part of the park.

Topkin also listed the candidates that could take Kiermaier’s spot on the roster while he is on the mend:

As for replacing Kiermaier on the roster, the Rays could turn to lefty hitters Micah Johnson, who was impressive during spring training, or newly acquired Jeremy Hazelbaker, though either would also have to be added to the 40-man roster. Another option would be to call up prospect Jake Bauers, though he is primarily a first baseman and has not gotten off to a good start.

Another factor in the decision on the replacement is that lefty hitting Brad Miller is aiming to come off the DL by the end of the week, so either the Kiermaier replacement, Field or Rob Refsnyder would seem likely to go then.

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

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The boys are back in town! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays return home from a successful 4-2, post All-Star Break road trip, ready to start off a six game home stand against a pair of sub .500 teams. The Texas Rangers will be the first to enter the Trop on Friday night.

(Stats: ESPN)

Tampa Bay missed an opportunity to sweep the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, as they dropped the series finale, 7-2. Still, the Rays entered their most recent road trip 3-1/2 games back of the Red Sox in the AL East, and returned down by just 2-1/2. As long as they win 37 of their next 66 games (a .560 clip) — allowing the team to collect a total of 88 wins — they should find themselves playing relevant baseball past October 1. The sheer fact that they start the series six games over .500, and have played .611 baseball since June 7, certainly doesn’t hurt their cause.

Texas closed out a four game series on the road against the Orioles on Thursday with their fifth consecutive loss. For a team that now finds itself five games under .500 — and one that considers itself as a fringe contender in the Wildcard race — the Rangers cannot afford to lose any more ground. Dare I say it’s telling that they are listening in on Yu Darvish going into the trade deadline.

The Rays took two of three in the last series between the teams May 29-31 in Arlington.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will start Alex Cobb (8-6, 3.59 ERA, 4.16 FIP), Chris Archer (7-5, 3.91 ERA, 3.12 FIP), and Jake Odorizzi (6-4, 4.37 ERA, 5.58 FIP). Jeff Bannister will counter with Yu Darvish (6-8, 3.45 ERA, 3.73 FIP), Andrew Cashner (4-8, 3.58 ERA, 4.56 FIP), and Tyson Ross (2-2, 7.22 ERA, 5.86 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Cobb held the Angels to one run on six hits over 7-2/3 innings in his last start. The right-hander didn’t have his best stuff, although he didn’t allow a runner past second base until the seventh inning — when Luis Valbuena tagged him for a solo-shot to put Los Angeles on the board. Cobb coaxed a lot of long, loud outs, especially early on, and he didn’t miss many bats. He, however, was efficient. In spite of lapsed command — 59 of his 105 pitches went for strikes; 56% strike ratio — Cobb’s pitch count was only in the 50’s through the front five, and it didn’t start to climb until late in his outing. He struck out four and walked three. He is 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA at the Trop this , and 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers.

Darvish is winless over his last six outings extending back to June 12. Moreover, he is 1-6 with a 4.09 ERA in his last 10 starts. Be that as it may, Darvish is 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in five career starts against the Rays. We all should know what to expect from Darvish by now: a 95 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph slider, while also mixing in a 94 mph sinker and an 89 mph cutter. Key Matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3), Adeiny Hechavarria (1-3), Trevor Plouffe (1-4, 2B, BB), Wilson Ramos (1-3)

Archer struggled Sunday, yet he limited the Angels to just two runs over six innings — picking up his fourth consecutive quality start. Even though the right-hander issued no more than three free passes in any of his previous 10 starts, he walked five Angels … although to his credit he was able to pitch around his control problems for the most part. Archer looks to snap a streak of 12 consecutive outings with at least two runs allowed Saturday. He notched a win against the Rangers on May 31, the only time he faced them this season.

Cashner is 1-3 with a 4.76 ERA in his last four starts and 4-5 with a 4.28 ERA in his last nine. The right-hander relies primarily on a 92 mph two-seam sinker and a 94 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in an 85 mph changeup, an 88 mph cutter and an 82 mph curveball; and is 2-6 with a 4.33 ERA in nine starts on the road. This will be his first career start against the Rays. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI), Corey Dickerson (2-3, 2B, 3 B, RBI), Brad Miller (2-2, RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (3-7, 2B, BB), Shane Peterson (3-5, 2B, 3B, BB)

Odorizzi pitched his best start of the season on the 17th, allowing one run on one hit over seven innings against the Atletics. Odorizzi pitched out of the stretch during that start and said he plans to only throw out of the stretch going forward. Was he dominant? Not really. He relinquished a fair amount of medium-to-hard contact that, luckily, was right at the outfielders. However, he was able to generate a fair amount of weak contact that allowed him to keep his pitch count in order, while also keeping himself out of the dangerous hitters’ counts that he’d been plagued by of late. And much like those who pitched before him — namely Jacob Faria, Chris Archer and Alex Cobb, none of which featured their best stuff in their most recent outings — he threw quality strikes throughout to keep Oakland’s bats at bay.

Ross gave up nine runs in 3-2/3 innings in his last start against the Orioles. Before that, he was 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA over his previous three starts. The 30 year-old right-hander relies primarily on a 92 mph four-seam fastball with average velocity and an 84 mph fly-ball inducing slider. He will also mix in a whiffy 91 mph sinker and an 89 mph swing-and-miss cutter. He is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four career games against the Rays, but he hasn’t faced them since 2013. Key Matchups: Corey Dickerson (5-14, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-5), Evan Longoria (2-5, RBI), Brad Miller (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (2-5, 2 BB), Shane Peterson (1-2, BB), Trevor Plouffe (1-3), Wilson Ramos (4-9, 2B, 2 RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Fun with numbers, courtesy of Dave Haller (Tampa Bay Rays Communication’s Department): Friday will be first time the Rays have hosted a game after the All-Star break while positioned to reach the postseason since September 23, 2013. In that game, James Loney hit a pinch-hit, walk-off homer run (off Tommy Hunter) for 5-4 win. The Rays then embarked on epic road trip taking them through New York, Toronto, Texas, Cleveland, and Boston.

— As we mentioned Thursday, Steven Souza Jr. had an MRI on his injured left hip. The MRI showed no damage, and he’s listed as day to day heading into the series.

— Rickie Weeks Jr. homered and walked twice in a rehab start for the Durham Bulls on Thursday.

— The Rays announced that RHP Jumbo Diaz has cleared waivers and has elected free agency. Awe, shucks.

The New What Next: Rays vs Rangers — the final series of the season

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Logan Forsythe finds himself in the throes of a season ending, 2-for-22 slump going into the final series of the 2016 campaign. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Logan Forsythe finds himself in the throes of a season ending, 2-for-22 slump going into the final three games of the 2016 campaign. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The season’s end is finally upon us. Just three more games until Kevin Cash, Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, and the rest of the Tampa Bay Rays can put this nightmarish 2016 campaign to rest. First they must go into Arlington, where they’ll butt heads with the Texas Rangers — the AL West leading ball club that’s collected 52 wins at home, matching the franchise record set in 1978 and equaled in 2011.

screen-shot-2016-09-30-at-6-47-31-am

Tampa Bay knocked off the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, snapping a six-game losing skid. The team enters the concluding weekend 30-48 on the road. Mikie Mahtook seems to finally have made the proper adjustments at the plate (editor’s note: a few months too late, but better late than never) homering on Thursday and going 7-for-18 over his last five games (.389 BA).

Texas can wrap up home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs with a win Friday, and the Rays will try to stave off what appears to be destiny for as long as they can. It won’t be easy; the Rangers have won six of their last nine contests after taking the final two of a three-game series against the Brewers earlier in the week. Carlos Gomez goes into the final series of the regular season red-hot, going 7-for-12 with eight RBI in his last three contests.

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Over the final three games of the season, Cash will depend upon Matt Andriese (8-7, 4.34 ERA), Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.77 ERA), and Chase Whitley (0-0, 1.74 ERA). Jeff Banister will counter with Yu Darvish (6-5, 3.53 ERA), Colby Lewis (6-4, 3.93 ERA), and Martín Pérez (10-11, 4.37 ERA).

screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-11-17-07-pm

Rays Series Starters

Andriese allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk over six innings against Boston on Saturday. He struck out five. Despite taking a no decision, the righty threw better than he had in his two most recent turns, posting six full frames for the first time since August 24. After a two-start stretch where he surrendered 14 earned runs over nine innings, Andriese has bounced back — allowing just five earned runs over the 16-1/3 innings covering his last three turns on the mound.

Odorizzi lasted just three innings Sunday afternoon, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while fanning three. The righty threw 84 pitches over the course of his three inning stint before being pulled in favor of LHP Justin Marks. It’s just the third time in his last 10 trips to the mound that Odorizzi hadn’t been able post a quality start, putting up a solid 3.52 ERA and 2.26 K/BB over that stretch (56-1/3 innings).

Whitley has fared well since being promoted at the start of September — allowing just two earned runs and notching 11 strikeouts in 10-1/3 innings — and will get his first start of the season on Sunday. Whitley tossed a season-high 62 pitches in his most recent outing on Tuesday, and likely will be capped around 80-85 pitches.

Rangers Series Starters

Darvish threw seven scoreless frames on Saturday against Oakland, allowing two hits while fanning nine. It was a vintage Darvish start after the Athletics tagged him for seven runs on seven hits and four walks the previous Saturday. His command was on point as the righty tossed 67 of 99 pitches in the strike zone, and induced 18 whiffs. Darvish has had his way with Tampa Bay, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.50 ERA over his last two starts. Key matchups: nada.

Lewis lost after allowing seven runs on seven hits and a walk in 1-1/3 innings on Sunday. After posting a scoreless first inning, the righty flew off the rails in the second, exiting after Oakland took a seven run advantage. Lewis now has lost all three of his starts since coming off the DL in September. Sunday’s outing raised his ERA 53 points, and it was the first time in 18 starts this season that he failed to complete at least five innings. Lewis is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA against Tampa Bay, extending back to 2013. Key matchups: Nick Franklin (2-2, RBI), Brad Miller (4-15, 3B, RBI, BB)

Perez allowed eight runs on nine hits and three walks over 6-2/3 innings against the Brewers on Monday. He stuck out three. The southpaw posted four consecutive quality starts heading into Monday’s contest, but his tendency to let games slip away has been ever present all season. He hasn’t allowed at least five runs in just eight of his 32 starts. The Rays beat him up back in August, tagging Lewis for six runs on five hits (including a homer) and three walks. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3), Evan Longoria (5-1, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI), Brad Miller (4-12, 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Alexei Ramirez (2-6, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Evan Longoria doubled in the ninth inning Thursday, matching his career high for hits in a season with 169 (2010). He enters the series four RBI shy of 100.

— Tampa Bay took two of three games from Texas at home from August 19-21, scoring eight runs in each of the final two contests.

— Elvis Andrus has gone 8-for-15 with two homers and five RBI over his last four games, raising his average to .304.

 

The New What Next: Rays vs. Rangers — A Series Preview

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Alex Colome delivers to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning on May 6, 2015. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Alex Colome delivers to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning on May 6, 2015. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

There’s just something about facing the Boston Red Sox that makes you feel better about things. Despite hitting just .231 with runners in scoring position, the Tampa Bay Rays walked away from Fenway Park with a series win under their collective belts. The Rays are now 4-2 against the Red Sox and 15-13 overall (14-14 Pythagorean Expectation). The team will return to the Big Top on Thursday where they’ll start a four-game set against the Texas Rangers.

Much like the Rays, the Rangers have a significant number of players on the DL (10). However, unlike Tampa Bay, Texas hasn’t been nearly as consistent — the Rangers have struggled to an 11-6 record (12-15 Pythagorean Expectation). Even so, Texas has taken four of its last five, with two of those wins coming in high scoring games.

Tampa Bay has posted a 9-6 record against Texas, extending back to 2013, while the Rangers lead overall 83-71.

Chris Archer vs. Nick Martinez: Archer allowed a season-high four runs to Baltimore on Saturday, snapping 28-2/3-inning streak without an earned run. The righty ranks in AL top five in ERA (1.64), strikeouts (42), opponent average (.176), and is 1-0 with a 2.23 ERA in three starts against Texas. The Rangers have won all five Martinez’s starts, however, he has three consecutive no-decisions. He ranks just behind Archer in ERA. Martinez made his big-league debut at Tropicana Field on April 15, 2014, taking no-decision in 5-4 loss.

Nathan Karns vs. Yovani Gallardo: Karns got a no-decision against Baltimore on Sunday, allowing no runs on two hits in five innings. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four career starts at Tropicana Field, and will be making his first career appearance against the Rangers. Gallardo was charged with three earned runs on seven hits over 6-2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to Oakland on Sunday. Martinez threw 118 pitches in that outing, the most of any starter on the Rangers’ rotation.

Jake Odorizzi vs. Ross Detwiler: Odorizzi allowed just one run on seven hits while striking out six in a seven inning start against the Red Sox on Monday. The righty successfully pitched out of jams throughout his outing, posting just two clean innings en route to his third win of the season. Detwiler allowed one run in seven innings in his last start against the Astros. However, it was the first time in five starts the Rangers won with him on the mound. He has a 2.19 ERA in his last two starts after posting a 10.95 ERA in his first three.

Drew Smyly vs. Wandy Rodriguez: Smyly held Boston hitless through five innings Tuesday, then Mookie Betts homered to lead off the sixth. That was enough to hand Smyly a hard-luck loss. Smyly is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in nine career appearances against Texas. Rodriguez earned his first victory in almost two years by beating the Astros on Tuesday, allowing just one run in eight innings in the longest outing by a Rangers starter this season.

Rays and Rangers series starters.

Rays and Rangers series starters.

Rays and Rangers offensive production over the last 14 days.

Rays and Rangers offensive production over the last 14 days.

Rays and Rangers by the numbers.

Rays and Rangers by the numbers.

Nick Martinez: Per Rotowire, Martinez shut out the Angels over six innings Sunday, scattering seven hits and walking two. He did not factor into the decision. In his only start against the Rays last season, Martinez posted six innings of three-run ball. His repertoire features a low-90s fastball, slider and changeup, and he tends to get a lot of ground balls (a 48.8% GB% over the last 14 days speaks to that). Key match-ups: Asdrubal Cabrera (2-2, 2B), James Loney (1-1, 2B, 2 BB).

Yovani Gallardo: Per Rotowire, Gallardo tossed his second consecutive quality start Sunday against the A’s, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. The 29 year-old RHP has just seven innings of accrued work (against the Rays) under his belt. In that start, Gallardo held the Rays to just five base runners (four hits, one walk) while fanning five. Gallardo is a curveball/slider/fastball heavy pitcher who wants you to pound the ball into the grass. Key match-ups: David DeJesus (4-14, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), James Loney (5-17, 2B, 3 RBI, BB).

Ross Detwiler: Per Rotowire, Detwiler (0-3) had no decision Tuesday against the Astros but only gave up one earned run in seven innings, striking out seven batters. Detwiler is another pitcher who the Rays haven’t seen much of, in fact they’ve amassed all of 3-2/3 innings against the former National. Key match-ups: Evan Longoria (1-3).

Wandy Rodriguez: Per Rotowire, Rodriguez went eight innings Tuesday against the Astros, only giving up one earned run on three hits while fanning eight to earn the win. Brooks Baseball compared the 36 year-old lefty to others:

His fourseam fastball is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers’ fourseamers, has good “rising” action, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers’ fourseamers and has slightly below average velo. His curve is a real worm killer that generates an extreme number of groundballs compared to other pitchers’ curves, has a sharp downward bite and has slight glove-side movement. His sinker has little sinking action compared to a true sinker and has slight armside run. His change is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers’ changeups, generates more whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers’ changeups, has a lot of backspin and has slight armside fade.

Key match-ups: Logan Forsythe (2-4, RBI), Evan Longoria (3-8, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB).

Noteworthiness

— Food for thought: The Rays scored just five runs Wednesday after having had 19 reach base on nine hits, nine walks and a hit batter.

— Second baseman Nick Franklin went 1-3 at the plate in his first rehab game for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Franklin hit a single and struck out once in the appearance. In his second rehab game, Franklin went 0-2 with two walks. He was briefly checked by the team trainer after a swing but stayed in the game. Franklin is slated to see 20-30 at-bats before rejoining the Rays, likely in place of Jake Elmore.

— Jake McGee is likely to make three more appearances for the Durham Bulls; at least one where he works part of two innings. On that schedule, he wouldn’t rejoin the Rays until the May 15-20 trip to Minnesota and Atlanta.

— Word broke from Durham earlier that RHP Matt Andriese was pinched in favor of LHP Everett Teaford:

As it turns, Andriese is fine. He was scratched from Friday’s start in case he was needed by Tampa Bay. Per Marc Topkin, there isn’t an apparent reason although a few of the guys on the big league squad have exhibited flu-like symptoms.