Rays vs Red Sox Series Preview Archives

TNWN: Rays vs Red Sox — part three

June 7, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Tommy Pham was back in action on Thursday after being shelved for four games because of a minor calf strain. He should be back in the field against the Red Sox. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Following a series win in Detroit, the Tampa Bay Rays are headed back east, to Boston, where they will start a four-game, three-day series against the division-rival Red Sox, on Friday. The Rays start the series 1-1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees, and 6-1/2 games ahead of Boston, who is in third place. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

The series is important for both due to their respective rank in the AL Wildcard race (No. 1 and No. 2).

Yes, I know it is still early in the season, however, if the playoffs were to start today, Tampa Bay would have a stranglehold on hosting the AL Wildcard game. With that in mind, things could change quickly with a poor series at Fenway Park. Boston enters the four-game set tied with the Texas Rangers for the final postseason spot in the American League. A series loss would allow Boston to make up ground in the division standings, as well as the Wildcard standings. The Rays are seeking a series split in the very least.

As with the set against the Twins two series ago, the Rays pitching staff will need to step up to keep the wolves at bay — especially in the second and fourth games, when they are slated to face former Ray David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez. If Tampa Bay can keep those contests close, they should have a chance against Boston’s relief corps, which has performed to a combined 3.95 ERA and 3.66 FIP over the last 30 days, and a 5.40 ERA and a 4.09 FIP over the last 14.

The Rays are 2-3 against the Red Sox this season, and 2-0 at Fenway.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will lean on bulk guys Yonny Chirinos (6-2, 3.25 ERA) and Ryan Yarbrough (4-2, 6.23 ERA) — either as traditional starters or following openers — a pitcher to be named before the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday, and Blake Snell (3-5, 3.68 ERA). Alex Cora will respond with Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.76 ERA), David Price (3-2, 2.83 ERA), a pitcher to be named before the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday, and Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.88 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos gave up four runs on nine hits and one walk over 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. He struck out seven. Chirinos allowed two runs on back-to-back doubles by Jorge Polanco and Marwin Gonzalez in the third inning, then was nicked for single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames, the latter on a Marwin Gonzalez solo homer. Still, he has a solid 3.25 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP to go along with a 4.45 K/BB. Chirinos is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in two career starts (four games total) against the Red Sox.

Rick Porcello allowed five runs on nine hits over 4-2/3 innings against the Yankees on Saturday. He struck out five and walked one. Porcello was largely BABIP’d, although he did give up a costly two-run homer to Gary Sanchez’s in the fifth inning which proved to be the difference in the game. The outing broke a string of eight consecutive starts of at least five innings for the right-hander. Porcello carries a 4.76 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 2.43 K/BB across 68 innings this season. He is 14-10 with a 3.42 ERA in 29 starts against the Rays, and 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA against Tampa Bay this season. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (3-10, 2B, 3B, RBI), Travis d’Arnaud (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Avisail Garcia (9-24, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, BB), Brandon Lowe (3-4, 3B, 2 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (2-7), Mike Zunino (3-10, HR, 2 RBI)

Ryan Yarbrough fell on the sword for the Rays bullpen on Sunday, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four across seven innings against the Twins. Yarbrough was hit hard throughout the middle of his start, with all of his earned runs coming in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. He didn’t allow a home run, yet the left-hander gave up a bases-clearing double to C.J. Cron which accounted for three of his seven charged runs. Yarbrough is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in six games (one start) against the Red Sox, and 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 8.0 total innings of work at Fenway Park.

TBA vs Rays

TBA vs Red Sox

David Price held the Yankees to two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six across 6-1/3 innings of work on Sunday. The former Ray blanked New York over the first three frames before a fourth-inning wobble, when the southpaw gave up a home run to Luke Voit, followed by three consecutive singles to load the bases. Gio Urshela followed with a sacrifice fly to score Gary Sanchez, allowing New York to cut the deficit to one run. Price was able to limit the damage when Aaron Hicks got caught stealing home for the final out of the frame. In spite of the messy inning, he looked sharp overall. He carries a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 4.92 K/BB into his matchup against Tampa Bay. Price is 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 15 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Christian Arroyo (1-4), Yandy Diaz (3-7, HR, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (6-21, 2 2B, HR, RBI, BB)

Blake Snell allowed a run in the first inning of his last start, and it appeared that he had settled in after escaping a two-on, one-out jam in the second. However, while the left-hander struck out eight and continued to pound the strike zone (65 of his 95 pitches landed for strikes, 68% strike rate), the Tigers started a rally in the fifth inning with three consecutive one-out hits which were followed by a walk. Miguel Cabrera capped the inning with a grand slam, knocking Snell out of the game. Snell entered Tuesday’s start having allowed only six runs over his last 30-1/3 innings, a span of five starts. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 4-3 with a 3.22 ERA in eight career starts against the Red Sox, but 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts at Fenway.

Eduardo Rodriguez allowed two runs on six hits over 5-2/3 innings on Wednesday while striking out seven. The southpaw fell just short of his sixth quality start of the season, getting the hook after 89 pitches (60 strikes, 67% strike rate). Rodriguez continues to be a strikeout machine despite his inability to pitch deep into games — he’s fanned at least five batters in 10 consecutive turns. Even so, Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 6.42 ERA in seven starts against the Rays, and 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this season. He’ll take a 4.88 ERA and 3.65 K/BB over 66-1/3 innings into the series finale on Sunday. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (2-2, BB), Brandon Lowe (1-3, HR, RBI), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (3-8, 2B, RBI), Daniel Robertson (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Prior to the start of the series, the Rays recalled RHP Casey Sadler from Triple-A Durham and optioned RHP Hunter Wood to make room on the 25-man roster.

— Tampa Bay will recall a 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader.

— It bears mentioning:

TNWN: Rays vs Red Sox — a series preview, part two

April 26, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Willy the Kid is ready for the upcoming 10-game road trip. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Following their first sub .500 homestand of the season, the Tampa Bay Rays will hit the road for a three-city, 10-game road trip starting Friday. Their first stop is Boston, where they’ll take on the Red Sox over the next three days.

The Rays are coming off a series win against the Royals, while the Red Sox split a four-game set against the Detroit Tigers. Tampa Bay seeks to exact some revenge on the sub .500 Red Sox after a three-game sweep last weekend.

The concern with the Rays right now happens to be on the injury front. Joey Wendle went down with a fractured wrist on Wednesday and isn’t expected to return for six-to-eight weeks — a total that will be updated. Then again, Tampa Bay has only played eight games with a healthy Wendle this season, so… Matt Duffy is still on the Injured List, although he is close to returning. Ji-Man Choi should rejoin the lineup on Friday after, essentially, six days off. However, the biggest loss for the Rays is Austin Meadows, who won’t return from the IL, with a sprained thumb, for another two-and-a-half weeks.

We expect to make the following roster moves prior to tomorrow’s game.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/nmmlyF2AG2
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 25, 2019

Taking Wendle’s place on the roster will be INF Christian Arroyo, who was promoted from Triple-A Durham. Arroyo has slashed .310 BA/.370 OBP/.548 SLG/.918 OPS/.392 wOBA with nine RBI and two homers for Durham so far.

Meanwhile, Boston appears to be turning a corner, although they have performed under the league average in wRC+ over the last 14 days. Their -3.5 wRAA over the same stretch isn’t much to write home about either. Still, Tampa Bay can attest to how dangerous the Red Sox lineup can be after last weekend’s embarrassing spate of play. The Red Sox clearly are beatable, but the Rays will need to do better than go 4-for-23 wRISP (.173 BA) as they did a week ago.

A lot of us were very bitter after this past weekend, coming up on the short end of the stick three games in a row. We know what we want to accomplish this weekend. We want to get back at them. They play good baseball. We definitely had our chances that we didn’t take advantage of, but that’s baseball sometimes. … Definitely we want to go up there and beat them at their place and win a series, and try to do the same thing they did to us. We want to win all three. We have the talent. We have the guys to do it.
It’ll be a big test for us. It’s an important series for us getting revenge and proving to ourselves we can still beat the best teams in baseball. And we will.
— Kevin Kiermaier

Pitching Probables

Over the next couple of days, Kevin Cash will lean on Charlie Morton (2-0, 3.38 ERA) and Tyler Glasnow (4-0, 1.53 ERA). Alex Cora will respond with David Price (1-1, 3.75 ERA) and Chris Sale (0-4, 7.43 ERA).

Charlie Morton coughed up five early runs on five hits and two walks over six innings on Saturday while striking out nine. The big blow off Morton came on a second-inning grand slam by Andrew Benintendi. Yet Morton was able to shake it off and shut Boston down for the next four frames, giving his team a chance to mount a comeback and eventually tie things up in the eighth. Morton will take a 3.38 ERA and a 2.83 K/BB across 26-2/3 innings into his rematch against the Red Sox, in Boston.

David Price fanned 10 and allowed two runs on two walks and five hits in a five-inning no-decision against the Rays on Sunday. It was the former ace’s first 10-strikeout game of the season; his first double-digit strikeout game since late last season. Sunday’s strong outing gives Price an excellent 6 K/BB across 24 innings this season. Key Matchups: Christian Arroyo (1-2), Kevin Kiermaier (5-19, 2 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Micahel Perez (2-5), Daniel Robertson (3-11, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB)

Tyler Glasnow struck out five and allowed two runs on three walks and three hits over 5-1/3 innings on Sunday. Coming into Sunday’s start, the right-hander had issued just three free passes in 24 innings but matched that total against Boston. He also threw just 49 of 76 pitches for strikes (64% strike rate), yet made the big pitch when he needed to. Still, Glasnow owns a terrific 4.83 K/BB and a 1.53 ERA this season. The right-hander will try to get his revenge against Boston on Saturday.

Chris Sale gave up two earned runs on five hits over five innings of work in his last start. He fanned 10 and walked two in the Red Sox 7-4 loss. Sale shut out the Tigers over the first three frames but yielded single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, the latter on a solo homer. The southpaw struck out two batters in each inning, throwing 97 pitches overall (72 strikes, 74% strike rate). This season Sale has relied primarily on a 78 mph sweeping slider, a 93 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action and arm-side run, and an 85 mph circle changeup with obvious arm-side fade that dives down out of the zone, while also mixing in a 92 mph sinker with obvious tail and natural sinking action. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3, HR, RBI), Yandy Diaz (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (3-6, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (5-17, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

TNWN: Rays vs Red Sox — a series preview

April 19, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Mike Zunino came up with a key run-scoring hit in the series finale against the Orioles on Thursday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays welcome the cellar-dwelling Boston Red Sox into Tropicana Field on Friday evening, when they open a three-game series.

The Rays enter play with a commanding eight-game lead over the reigning World Series champs after compiling a 14-5 record through the first 19 games of the season. In spite of their 6-5, extra-innings loss on Thursday, the red-hot Rays are coming off of a series win at home versus the Baltimore Orioles and they have won all of their series so far this season. Over the last 10 games, Tampa Bay has gone 8-2 with a 2.87 ERA and has outscored opponents by 34 runs.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have won just six of their first 19 contests, and they’ve dug themselves into quite a hole just three weeks into the regular season. Over the last 10 games, Boston has gone 4-6, with a .209 batting average, a 5.13 ERA, and has been outscored by opponents by 16 runs. The mighty Sox dropped their most recent series against the Yankees, averaging just 1-1/2 runs along the way.

Last season the Rays went 8-11 against their AL East rivals, however, they went 4-2 against them in the second half, including a series sweep in August.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on opener Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.93 ERA), who will likely be followed by Ryan Yarbrough (2-1, 4.82 ERA), Charlie Morton (2-0, 2.18 ERA), and Tyler Glasnow (4-0, 1.13 ERA). Alex Cora will respond with Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 7.98 ERA), Rick Porcello (0-3, 11.12 ERA), and former Ray David Price (1-1, 3.79 ERA).

Ryne Stanek worked around a hit while striking out three in one inning of work as the opener on Wednesday. The right-hander gave way to Yonny Chirinos after throwing 14 pitches (10 for strikes, 71% strike rate). Stanek now has a 1.93 ERA and 6.5 K/BB through 9-1/3 innings.

Ryan Yarbrough picked up the win after tossing two scoreless frames and striking out one on Friday. The southpaw was efficient on the mound, needing just 16 total pitches (12 strikes) to get through six batters. Yarbrough was coming off a disastrous outing Saturday against San Francisco (allowing four runs allowed across three innings) but managed to get back on track in the 11-7 victory.

Eduardo Rodriguez picked up the win Friday after allowing two runs on three hits and while striking out eight over 6-2/3 innings. Rodriguez surrendered a two-run blast in the seventh inning, yet it turned out to be one of the few mistakes he made on the night. He struggled through his first two outings of the season (11 runs allowed across eight innings) but managed to return to form. Rodriguez relies primarily on a whiffy 93 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action and a hard 88 mph worm-killer changeup, while also mixing in an 88 mph cutter with natural sink and cutting action and a whiffy 92 mph sinker. Key Matchups: Tommy Pham (2-5, 2B, RBI), Daniel Robertson (1-2)

Charlie Morton allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 4-2/3 innings on Sunday against Toronto. Morton surrendered the only run of his start in the first inning, but he managed to close out his day with 3-2/3 scoreless frames. He was pulled from the game needing one more out to qualify for the win. The right-hander hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of his first four outings of the season and owns a 2.18 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 20-2/3 innings.

Rick Porcello allowed three runs on six hits and five walks while fanning two in a loss to the Orioles on Saturday. Porcello, who threw just 48 of 90 pitches for strikes (53% strike rate), had traffic in every inning and now has walked 12 in 11-1/3 innings. He told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that he’s rushing his delivery but hasn’t been able to correct it. Porcello relies primarily on a 92 mph worm-killer four-seam fastball and a whiffy 90 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 82 mph palm ball changeup, an 86 mph slider with 12-6 movement, and a 76 mph curveball with glove-side movement. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-4), Ji-Man Choi (2-8, 2B, RBI), Avisail Garcia (8-22, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, BB), Brandon Lowe (1-1), Daniel Robertson (2-5), Joey Wendle (5-12, 2B, BB), Mike Zunino (3-10, HR, 2 RBI)

Tyler Glasnow tied the longest outing by a Tampa Bay hurler in the first 17 games of the season, although you never would have guessed his final line based on his first three innings of work.

The Orioles, who have outscored opponents 16-5 in the first inning, jumped ahead early against Glasnow. With one out and none on, Trey Mancini singled to right-center and moved up to second on a Dwight Smith Junior’s single to right. Then, Rio Ruiz hit a two-out RBI single to right-center, scoring Mancini. Baltimore’s hitters spat on Glasnow’s curveball, hunted fastballs, attacked him early in the count, and worked him for 26 pitches in the first inning alone.

After Glasnow worked around a leadoff single in the second, Baltimore extended the lead in the third. Smith reached on an infield hit to second; Brandon Lowe had difficulty getting the ball out of his glove. Smith swiped second, then came home on Renato Nunez’s double that deflected off Yandy Diaz and traveled up the third base line.

From that point on, however, Glasnow quietly went to work and threw up four consecutive zeroes — working around a base hit by coaxing a double play in the fourth inning and retiring the final 10 batters he would face in a row.

Glasnow didn’t walk a batter and scattered seven hits while striking out three. He threw 87 pitches (61 strikes, 70% strike rate) total and just 61 over the final six frames.

David Price earned his first win of the season on Sunday, allowing three hits while striking out seven over seven scoreless innings. Price allowed four runs in each of his first two outings but was rewarded for his efforts in his last outing. The former Ray pounded the zone, firing 64 of 92 pitches for strikes (70% strike rate). Price will carry 20 punchouts over 19 frames into his upcoming start on Sunday. Price relies primarily on a whiffy 93 mph sinker, a firm 85 mph circle changeup, and a 93 mph four-seam fastball while mixing in the occasional 90 mph cutter. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (1-3), Avisail Garcia (4-15, HR, 5 RBI), Micahel Perez (1-3)

The New What Next: Rays vs Red Sox — one last time with feeling

August 24, 2018 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

15 game winner Blake Snell will take his 2.07 ERA and 3.29 FIP into his bump-day on Sunday, in the season finale against the Red Sox. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Hot on the heels of a four-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals, not to mention winners of five in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays welcome the Boston Red Sox into Tropicana Field for a three-game series, capping the season series between the AL East foes. Boston is coming off a series split against Cleveland.

It was the Rays first four-game series sweep since September 2013 (vs. Baltimore), and their first season series sweep against an AL team. Previously their only season sweep with multiple series came in 2013 against the Marlins, going 4-0.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The sweep capped the season series versus Kansas City with Tampa Bay winning all seven games. The Rays pitching staff did so in dominant fashion, limiting the Royals to just seven runs total (1.75 runs per game). Tampa Bay used the lessons gleaned from the second and third games of the previous series against the Red Sox, last weekend, to great effect, effectively pairing fastballs with offspeed stuff to keep the Royals batters off balance. This will undoubtedly be part of their philosophy this weekend.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Boston still has the best, most well-rounded offense in baseball, however, both Cleveland and Tampa Bay proved that it could be slowed down. Moreover, Chris Sale is still on the DL and the Rays will not be facing David Price. If the pitching staff can continue to pitch as it has throughout the month of August — resulting in a 2.59 ERA and a 3.30 FIP — and if Mallex Smith M EFFECT and company can plate some runs against the less dominant hurlers on the Red Sox staff, MLB Player’s Weekend 2018 could make for some compelling baseball.

Pitching Probables

The Rays have yet to settle their pitching rotation for the first two games of the series, however — based on who pitched last and on how much rest they’ve had — BEEKER (2-1, 6.91 ERA), YARBITRON (12-5, 3,84 ERA), and ZILLA (15-5, 2.07 ERA) will likely see extended mound time this weekend. Alex Cora will respond with CABEZON (2-1, 3.10 ERA), VEINTIDÓS (15-6, 4.14 ERA), and EVO (5-5, 3.81 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Jalen Beeks picked up the win Sunday against his former team, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three across four scoreless innings. Beeks handled the bulk of innings after opener Diego Castillo fired 1-2/3 scoreless frames to open the game. Beeks stifled Boston en route to his first scoreless appearance in the big league, lowering his ERA to 6.91 on the season. He now owns a solid 2.37 ERA through four August appearances (19 innings) after a disastrous start to his tenure with Tampa Bay.

Rays skipper Kevin Cash spoke about the challenges of any pitcher having to face the Red Sox twice in a week, which will be no easy task.

I don’t think it benefits anybody when you’re facing the Red Sox twice, I really don’t. That’s not to make an excuse for Jalen Beeks. I don’t care if it was Blake Snell or (Nationals ace) Max Scherzer or whoever. When you’re facing that lineup twice in five days, I don’t think it’s going to bode well for the pitcher as much as the hitter.

Hector Velazquez was the hard-luck loser against the Rays on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out two. Making a spot start for the injured Chris Sale (shoulder), Velazquez limited the damage to a second-inning solo homer before handing the ball to the bullpen. He owns a solid 2.74 ERA across 65-2/3 innings this season. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-1, BB), Matt Duffy (5-7, BB), Joey Wendle (2-4, HR, RBI)

Ryan Yarbrough picked up the win on Monday after he fired off 5-1/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City. He struck out six. Yarbrough relinquished two hits and one walk in the outing. The southpaw replaced opener Hunter Wood midway through the second inning and recorded the final out with two runners on the base paths. Tampa Bay plated their lone run in the bottom half of the inning, making Yarbrough the pitcher of record while he and the bullpen shut down the Kansas City offense for the rest of the game. Yarbrough has kept the opposition off the board in each of his last three appearances while posting a 0.53 WHIP and 10-to-1 K/BB across 11-1/3 innings.

Rick Porcello took the loss Monday night after he gave up five runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings against Cleveland. He struck out six. The game was tied at three apiece heading into the seventh inning when Porcello got the first out before walking the next batter. After he was then hit in the stomach by a comebacker off the bat of Yan Gomes, which led to a fielder’s choice, Greg Allen broke the tie with a two-run home shot, proving to be the difference in the game. Porcello is 3-1 against the Rays this season, although his sole loss came on May 24, the last time he took the mound against Tampa Bay. In that game, the right-hander allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over 3-2/3 innings. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2), Ji-Man Choi (2-5, 2B, RBI), Matt Duffy (7-18, RBI), Carlos Gomez (3-9, 2B, HR, RBI), Joey Wendle (3-10, 2B)

Blake Snell tossed six innings of one-run ball on Tuesday against the Royals, allowing four hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts. Snell threw 66 percent of his pitches for strikes and induced 23 whiffs (35% SwStr) as he recorded his second highest punchout total of the season. Snell limited baserunners to great effect and was only scored upon via a fifth-inning solo home run in the fifth inning. Snell had failed to top five innings in any of his three previous turns on the mound since returning from the DL, so the 101-pitch effort was a good indicator that he is back to full strength.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk while fanning two over 5-1/3 innings on Tuesday against Cleveland. The one-time Ray took the loss. Eovaldi’s first two starts in Boston were excellent, yet he has now given up 27 hits and three walks while allowing nine earned across his last three outings (13 innings of work). He also has struck out only seven over that span. When Eovaldi is on, he’s great. When he’s off, he can get shelled. Key Matchup: Carlos Gomez (4-11, 2 2B, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— OF Tommy Pham, who dislocated his finger Tuesday, remained sore and was out of the lineup on Thursday. He was able to take some swings before the series finale against the Royals and hopes to return Friday.

— Because it bears mentioning once again:

“He’s something to watch.”

Yes. Yes he is. pic.twitter.com/CnIfDy7ue3

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 24, 2018

—The Rays will wear specially designed caps, socks, and jerseys, with their nicknames on the back, as part of the Player’s Weekend, and they will be allowed to use different colored cleats and other equipment. In case you missed it, here is a list of the Rays Player’s Weekend nicknames:

Willy Adames: “THE KID”
Jose Alvarado: “EL POCHO”
Jake Bauers: “JB”
Jalen Beeks: “BEEKER”
Diego Castillo: “SAMANA”
Yonny Chirinos: “YONITO”
Ji-Man Choi: “JI”
C.J. Cron: “BIG FELLA”
Jose De Leon: “PULPITO”
Matt Duffy: “DUFFMAN”
Jake Faria: “FUH-REE-UH”
Wilmer Font: “FONKY”
Tyler Glasnow: “MINI HORSE”
Carlos Gomez: “EL FINAL”
Kevin Kiermaier: “OUTLAW”
Adam Kolarek: “AK”
Vidal Nuno: “SLEEPY”
Michael Perez: “MYKII”
Tommy Pham: “PHAMTASTIC”
Daniel Robertson: “D-ROB”
Chaz Roe: “RANCH”
Sergio Romo: “EL MECHÓN”
Jaime Schultz: “SCHULTZY”
Mallex Smith: “M EFFECT”
Blake Snell: “ZILLA”
Ryne Stanek: “STANNY”
Jesus Sucre: “SOOKY”
Joey Wendle: “MENDLE”
Hunter Wood: “WOODY”
Ryan Yarbrough: “YARBITRON”

The New What Next: Rays vs. Red Sox — a series preview

August 17, 2018 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Mallex Smith went 5-14 with four runs and two RBI over the last three days against the Yankees. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After beating the Yankees 3-1 on Thursday — and winning the series two games out of three — the Tampa Bay Rays will cap their three-city, nine-game road trip through the AL East in Boston, with a three-game series starting Friday. The Rays have won three consecutive series, going 6-4 in their last 10 games, while the Red Sox are coming off a 7-4 loss against the Phillies, snapping a five-game win streak.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Even though the Rays scored just 10 runs in the last three contests, they limited the powerful Yankees to six runs total. And aside from a couple of errant pitches in the series opener, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff did a great job with shutting down that powerful team in the Bronx — limiting them to just two home runs. The Yankees, however, have not been nearly as consistent as the Red Sox, who have gone 17-6 since the All-Star Break. Whatever the case, the same “limit the long ball” approach applies.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Boston hasn’t lost two consecutive games since July 24-26 and has lost only four series this season … ironically one of those came against the Rays. It will not be easy for the Rays to win multiple games and/or the series this weekend against a team that is in the midst of a historic season. Yet that is what they are faced with. No whammies can be afforded, and no pitching mistakes can be made. Buckle up, this could be a bumpy ride.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash has committed to opening the series with Ryne Stanek (0-2, 2.51 ERA), who is likely to be followed by Yonny Chirinos (0-3, 3.50 ERA). Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 3.97 ERA) will get the start Saturday, while Sunday’s starter is TBA. Alex Cora will counter with Brian Johnson (3-1, 3.21 ERA), David Price (12-6, 3.75), and Chris Sale (12-4, 1.97 ERA).

(Stats Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Ryne Stanek owns a 3.00 ERA through five appearances (six innings) this month, three of which have been opening stints. While he doesn’t pitch deep enough into games to factor into the decision, Stanek owns a useful 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 6.2 K/BB across 47-2/3 innings this season. He last pitched Thursday, a 2/3 inning stint against the Yankees, allowing one run on two hits.

Yonny Chirinos threw five innings and earned the win on August 9, allowing just one run on three hits (including a homer) while fanning four in the 5-4 win over Baltimore. Chirinos came in to start the third inning, relieving Rays opener Hunter Wood. The only real damage against him was a Renato Nunez solo home run. Chirinos now owns a 3.50 ERA/3.65 FIP, and a solid 8.35 K/9. He has gone 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts against Boston this season.

Brian Johnson gave up five earned runs in his previous start, but he won his past two decisions and holds a 3.25 ERA over the team’s last 60 games. Johnson has given up five runs on 11 hits over 4-1/3 innings against Tampa Bay this season (both relief appearances) and is 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in three career appearances against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-4), Matt Duffy (1-3), Mallex Smith (1-1), Jesus Sucre (1-1, 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (1-1, 3B, RBI)

Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on two hits while striking out six over five innings on Sunday. Glasnow cruised through the first five frames, although he allowed a run in the sixth inning and exited the game shortly thereafter with the score tied at one. He’s off to a great start with Tampa Bay: he’s surrendered and punched out 20 over 12 innings of work and owns a 3.97 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP with 92 strikeouts through 68 innings this season. Expect Glasnow’s pitch ceiling to increase on Saturday.

David Price blanked the Orioles over six innings on Saturday. He allowed five hits and struck out a season-high 10. It was a dominant performance for the former Ray, who only allowed just two runners to get into scoring position. Price has fired off five consecutive quality starts, posting a 1.64 ERA over that stretch while performing to a 9.0 K/9. The strong run has allowed his ERA drop to 3.75, while his overall K/9 sits at 8.98. Price has been good against his former team this season, going 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts, although he is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (6-21, 3 2B, RBI)

I will update this piece when a starter is announced for Sunday’s game.

Chris Sale was impressive in his return to the mound following a brief DL stint, allowing one hit and fanning 12 over five scoreless innings to pick up the win on Sunday against Baltimore. The southpaw extended his scoreless streak to 28 frames. It may appear odd that he was pulled after five innings and 68 pitches, especially after Boston’s bullpen was needed for 15-2/3 innings over the last two days, but manager Alex Cora told reporters in his post-game remarks that Sale was on a 75-pitch ceiling, much like Blake Snell. Expect his pitch ceiling to increase on Sunday. Note above: Sale worked to a -1.65 FIP in his last start; I’ve never seen a negative FIP before. Sale has been especially tough on the Rays this season, going 1-0 with a 0.65 ERA in two starts. in Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3, HR, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (5-17, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Wonderful things: