Rays vs Red Sox Series Preview Archives

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

July 30, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

The Tampa Bay Rays overcame a seven-run deficit to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays in the series finale at the Rogers Centre, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Michelle Keener Tallman)

After a day off, the Tampa Bay Rays will begin their final regular-season series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay is coming off a series win against the Blue Jays in Toronto, while the Red Sox took three-of-four against the Yankees in Boston.

Thus far, Tampa Bay is 6-6 against Boston, although they have played far better at Fenway — where the Rays are winners of five of six — than at home. Expect another tight series. Over the previous 12 games, the Rays have scored 51 runs and relinquished 44 for a differential of seven runs or 58/100 (.58) of a run per game. And in the previous six games at Fenway, the Rays have outscored the Sox by just five runs, or 83/100 (.83) of a run per game.

Tampa Bay enters play a half-game behind Oakland in the Wildcard race and a half-game ahead of Boston. The ultimate goal is to extend the lead over the Red Sox while also staying relevant in the chase for the Rays’ first postseason berth since 2013. Yet, there is something else to keep in mind. Taking into consideration the series win in Toronto, paired with a good showing in Boston in the series opener, the front office could be further compelled to bolster the roster at the trade deadline, including arms for the beleaguered relief corps.

In the series against the Blue Jays and Yankees (respectively), both teams proved they can put big numbers on the board. However, it’s time for the Rays pitching staff to prove that there is a reason pitching coach Kyle Snyder thinks so highly of them.

I’d rather go to war with these guys. If it (an acquisition of a hurler or hurlers) happens, it happens. But for me, and this is something I’ve shared with these guys over the last 10 days with the deadline looming, they can handle this.
Despite how green they may be, I’ll take talent over experience. And these guys are gaining a lot. … We have a lot of confidence in these guys, me more than anyone.
— Kyle Snyder

While a belief in the pitching staff is well and good, Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) was quick to remind us all that there are reasons for concern:

Though many of the team stats — such as a 3.80 bullpen ERA that’s third-best in the majors — are skewed because the Rays have relievers opening games and starters pitching in relief, there are some bottom-line numbers that better illustrate the glaring need:
• 15 times Rays relievers have allowed a tying or go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later, and three times with two outs in the ninth.
• 17 times in 48 losses they’ve allowed the go-ahead run in the eighth inning or later.
• 53 runs scored against them in the ninth inning are third-most in the AL, and 68 from the ninth are second-most.
— Marc Topkin

Whatever the case, there is no time like the present for the Rays hurlers, which have held Boston to four runs or fewer six times this season (four times at Fenway), to come up big once more.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will likely throw Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.60 ERA), Ryan Yarbrough (9-3, 3.78 ERA) in some capacity — be that as a starter or a bulk guy — and a pitcher to be announced before the series finale on Wednesday (likely Brendan McKay). Alex Cora will counter with David Price (7-4, 3.66 ERA), Rick Porcello (9-7, 5.55 ERA), and Andrew Cashner (10-5, 4.18 ERA).

Charlie Morton gave up two runs on five hits across seven innings while striking out 11 against the Red Sox on Wednesday. It’s the fourth time this season Morton has fanned double-digit batters, with three of those performances coming in his last five starts. The right-hander maintains a sparkling 2.60 ERA and a 3.98 K/BB through 131-1/3 innings on the season.

David Price allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out eight at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Not only was the southpaw’s fastball velocity down, sitting in the 89-90 mph range, he only managed six swinging strikes among his 98 pitches (63 strikes, 64% strike rate, 12% SwStr). His lack of dominance was made up for by a generous strike zone by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez (shocker, I know).

Still, Price has nine quality starts on the season, and he carries a 3.66 ERA and 4.22 K/BB across 98-1/3 innings on the season. Key Matchup: Mike Brosseau (1-2)

Ryan Yarbrough allowed one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts across 5-1/3 innings. Diego Castillo opened the game, but Yarbrough carried the load starting in the second inning, posting his seventh straight outing with either zero or one run allowed. He has allowed just four total runs in his last 32-2/3 innings of work. Yarbrough owns a 1.10 ERA over that stretch and has won his last four decisions. Overall, Yarbrough maintains a 3.78 ERA (down from 8.10 in April), a 0.93 WHIP, and 62 punchouts in 81 innings this season.

Rick Porcello held the Yankees to three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings. After failing to make it through the first inning during his last start against New York in London, Porcello bounced back with a solid outing reinforced by tremendous run support from his offense. In spite a tough 47-pitch second inning, the former Cy Young Award winner settled in to keep the Yankees at bay, tossing 112 pitches in the process. Even so, Porcello carries a 5.55 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 2.79 K/BB on the season. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (5-13, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (9-21, RBI), Avisail Garcia (11-27, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (13-52, 2 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (2-7), Joey Wendle (5-12, 2B, BB)

TBA

Andrew Cashner allowed three runs on 10 hits and a walk across 6-2/3 innings on Friday. He struck out six. While he wasn’t quite dominant, this was his first victory for Boston since joining the club right after the All-Star break. Cashner owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 81 punchouts over 114 innings this season. He is 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Guillermo Heredia (2-8, 2B, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B), Tommy Pham (3-11, HR, 2 RBI), Joey Wendle (3-8, 3B, 2 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Eric Sogard will be active for the first time since the trade Sunday with Toronto.

— Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) played two rehab games over the weekend with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on rehab and will be activated from the IL on Wednesday, the first day that he’s eligible.

— Blake Snell’s arthroscopic elbow surgery went smoothly on Monday, and he is in line to return to the roster in September.

— Ryne Stanek (hip) tossed a successful bullpen session Sunday and is expected to start a rehab assignment soon.

— Tommy Pham was removed from Sunday’s game in Toronto with a right-hand sprain. He is listed as day-to-day.

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

July 22, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

The Rays salvaged the series finale against the White Sox behind a solid start from Blake Snell and second inning grand slam off the bat of Travis d’Arnaud. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a disappointing start to the homestand, punctuated by a pair of losses to the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays will play host to the Boston Red Sox for a three-game series, starting Monday. The Red Sox are also coming off a series loss, having dropped two of three to the Orioles.

The Rays have been in a slide of late, losing five out of their last six games overall. The bats have gone cold, plating three or fewer runs in five out of their last six contests, following the 5-4 Travis d’Arnuad home run fueled win over the Yankees a week ago. Making things worse, the Rays are playing without Kevin Keirmaier and Brandon Lowe who have been a big part of the offense up to now.

In spite of the series loss to Baltimore, the Red Sox have played well on the road where they have won five out of their last seven games.

Still, after the dropped three straight to Boston in April, the Rays have won five of the last six contests between the two — all at Fenway. To put it bluntly, the Rays need a series win, and to do so they need to play as they had previously against Boston, and less as they had recently against the Yankees and White Sox. Winning two-out-of-three (in the least) would put some distance between the second and third place teams in the AL East.

The Rays should receive some reinforcements with a pair of infielders who set to return to the fold sometime this week.

Matt Duffy, who hit a home run in his final rehab game in Durham on Saturday, flew back to St. Petersburg on Sunday and will be activated at some point the next few days.

Duffy (hamstring) will slot in at third base and shortstop and presents a much-needed, right-handed addition to a Rays lineup that is looking for a spark.

We just have to see how our pitching lines up. We look forward to having him back. He’s taken the long road back, but we’re excited to have him back.
— Kevin Cash

Daniel Robertson (right knee inflammation) will head to Port Charlotte to begin his rehab assignment with the Class-A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs. He’ll play a couple of games there before heading to Durham to complete the assignment.

Rays Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.78 ERA), Yonny Chirinos (8-5, 3.29 ERA), and Charlie Morton (11-3, 2.61 ERA). Alex Cora will counter with Eduardo Rodríguez (11-4, 4.34 ERA), Chris Sale (4-9, 4.05 ERA), and David Price (7-3, 3.61 ERA).

Jalen Beeks allowed one run on two hits and one walk across 3-1/3 innings during on Tuesday. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision. Beeks kept the Yankees scoreless through his first three innings as the bulk reliever, but he was pulled in the sixth inning after he allowed a solo homer and a single with one out. The left-hander has a 2.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 2.43 K/BB over 64-2/3 innings. Beeks is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in two career outings (9-1/3 IP) against his former team.

Eduardo Rodriguez gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over 6-1/3 innings his last turn. He struck out four. Rodriguez has now won three straight starts and five consecutive decisions, with his last loss coming on June 9th. The left-hander maintains a 4.34 ERA and a 3.24 K/BB across 116 innings. Rodriguez is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay, and 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in four starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (4-5, BB), Matt Duffy (1-2), Avisail Garcia (2-8, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (4-11, 2B, RBI)

Yonny Chirinos gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits over five innings against the Yankees, striking out eight and walking two in the 6-2 loos. Chirinos couldn’t extend his run of seven consecutive quality starts but emerged with a decent line against a tough Yankees lineup that he’s fared well against this season. Even so, Chirinos is sporting a 3.29 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 4.04 K/BB across 112 innings. He has faired well in his career against Boston, going 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five games (three starts).

Chris Sale allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 12 across six scoreless innings on Thursday against the Blue Jays. Sale dominated the Blue Jays by generating 20 whiffs. Both hits he allowed were base hits, and he only allowed one runner to get into scoring position throughout his outing. While his 4.05 ERA is disappointing, his 172 strikeouts and 1.08 WHIP across 117-2/3 frames show how dangerous he can be to a team that hasn’t had much success against the southpaw. Sale is 9-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 17 career starts against the Rays, and 4-3 with a 1.92 ERA in nine starts at the Trop. Key Matchup: Yandy Diaz (4-6, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB)

Charlie Morton gave up five earned runs on five hits across 5-2/3 innings on Thursday, striking out four and walking four. The righty struggled with his control in issuing four free passes, yet he is still having a fantastic season, maintaining a 2.61 ERA to go along with a 1.06 WHIP and a 3.71 K/BB across 124-1/3 innings. Morton is 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA in six career starts against Boston.

David Price allowed six runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts across four against the Orioles on Friday. The former Ray hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last five turns, and during that stretch, he went 3-0. But for the second time this season, Price allowed six runs, and the eight hits he relinquished set a new season-high. Price owns a 3.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts in 92-1/3 innings this season. Since leaving Tampa Bay, Price is 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts against his former team. Key Matchup: Yandy Diaz (4-10, HR, RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— If the Rays can’t beat up on Boston’s starters, they’ll get a chance against the ‘pen, which maintains an overall 4.53 ERA and 4.25 FIP (5.50 ERA and 4.61 FIP over the last 14 days).

— Due to the poor spate of play, the Rays chances of a playoff berth dropped off by 20% (give or take).

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)