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The New What Next: Rays vs Yankees, one last time — a series preview

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Tommy Pham scored on a sixth-inning double by CJ Cron on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Following their 5-2 win in the road finale against the Blue Jays on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays returned home to the friendly confines of Tropicana Field ahead of a four-game series against the New York Yankees. In spite of the two tough losses in Toronto, the Rays won five of seven during their last road trip of the season. The Yankees took two of three from the lowly Orioles, yet fell 6-3 on Sunday. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and 10-10 over a 20-game stretch.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rays remain mathematically alive in the AL Wildcard race, although they will need a lot of help from Seattle this week, as they sit 6.5 games behind the Oakland Athletics for the final Wildcard spot with 7 games remaining. However, Tampa Bay’s tragic number is down to one, meaning one more Oakland win or Rays loss officially ends it.

There is still a way the Rays can make it to the playoffs, albeit one that is absolutely improbable: Tampa Bay must win all seven games on their homestand against the Yankees and Blue Jays, while the Athletics must lose the final six games of their season. The odds of that happening are astronomical, to say the least.

Still, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) opined, the Rays might be motivated to make life tough on the rival Yankees, who are trying to keep the home-field advantage in the AL Wildcard game. On top of that, the team has a chance to finish with 90-plus wins, thus defying even the bullish 85-win PECOTA projection from February. And while that may not offer much solace to the casual fan, two things bear mentioning:

  1. The Rays are a young team with a high upside for years to come. A successful season at the big league level will go a long way for the kids.
  2. The last time the Rays put together a 90+ win campaign without the benefit of a trip to the playoffs (in 2012), they played relevant games past September 30 the following season — a game 163 tie-breaker, and the subsequent Wildcard win thrust them into the ALDS against Boston.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

As has been the case for the second half of the season (.268 BA/.346 OBP/.430 SLG/.776 OPS/.336 wOBA/115 +wRC for Tampa Bay vs .242 BA/.326 OBP/.424 SLG/.750 OPS/.325 wOBA/103 wRC+ for New York) the Rays have outperformed the Yankees offensively over the last 14 days. The question begs, however: Can the Rays continue their recent dominance over the Yankees? Tampa Bay has won eight of the last 10 games against the Bronx Bummers after starting the season 0-5. Moreover, the Rays are 5-1 against the Yankees at home.

Pitching Probables

Note: It is rather difficult to project who will take the mound over the life of the series since only one hurler has been named; Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.25 ERA) will open the series for the Rays. Beyond that, it’s a reasonable assumption the below-listed hurlers will toe the rubber for dueling foes this week, based on when they last pitched. This projection is in no way, shape, or form set in stone. I will make note of any changes as they are announced, either in this series preview or in subsequent articles.

Kevin Cash could lean primarily on Ryan Yarbrough (15-5, 3.88 ERA), Yonny Chirinos (4-5, 3.68 ERA), Jalen Beeks (5-1, 5.36 ERA), and Tyler Glasnow (2-7, 4.23 ERA) over the next four days. Aaron Boone could counter with Luis Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA), Masahiro Tanaka (12-5, 3.67 ERA), CC Sabathia (8-7, 3.77 ERA), and Lance Lynn (9-10, 4.80 ERA).

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Diego Castillo has been the Rays’ opener on 10 occasions so far this season, and Monday will mark the 11th. Castillo allowed one run on one hit (a home run) in one inning of work on Friday. Otherwise, the right-hander has given up just two runs in his last eight appearances (totaling 11-2/3 innings) while striking out 15 and walking just two (a 7.5 K/BB over that stretch).

Ryan Yarbrough picked up his 15th win of the season on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out six. The southpaw wasn’t exactly sharp, but he was able to pick up the win thanks to a plethora of run support from Tampa Bay’s offense. Working primarily as a long reliever, the southpaw has posted a 3.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 123 strikeouts across 139-1/3 innings this season.

Luis Severino picked up his 18th win on the season on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk across seven innings. He collected six punch outs. Severino was in control all along, allowing just one extra-base hit en route to his first win, and quality start, of September. Prior to Wednesday’s outing, the right-hander hadn’t completed seven innings since August 8. Severino has now allowed just two runs over his last two starts (totaling 12-2/3 innings). He is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season, but 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA at the Trop after a disastrous five-inning, six-run outing on July 23. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (3-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (2-8), Carlos Gomez (1-4), Mallex Smith (3-10, 2B) 

Yonny Chirinos tossed 4-2/3 scoreless innings, yet took a no-decision on Thursday, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out five. After the “opener” Ryne Stanek allowed three straight hits to start the second inning, Chirinos came in and shut the Blue Jays down. The 24-year-old now owns a 3.68 ERA and would’ve earned the victory had it not been for a ninth-inning bullpen meltdown.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed five earned runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out three across four innings on Thursday against the Red Sox. Tanaka never got comfortable on the mound, allowing at least one earned run in three of the four innings he completed. It was his highest earned run total since August 10, and the first time he has not worked at least five innings in his last eight turns. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA against the Rays this season, including a complete game shutout on July 24. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-6, 2B), Carlos Gomez (3-10, 2B, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (7-22, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB), Brandon Lowe (1-2, 2B), Tommy Pham (2-3, 2B, RBI), Jesus Sucre (2-5, 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (2-3, 2B, RBI)

Jalen Beeks allowed two runs on two hits (two solo home runs) across three innings on Friday. That outing came on the heels of a two-inning shutout appearance on Wednesday in Arlington. Beeks hasn’t given up a ton of runs, just six in his last seven appearances, however, he also has thrown more than four innings just once (8/24 vs Boston).

CC Sabathia allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five across six innings in a win against Baltimore on Friday. The southpaw surrendered a two-run single in the fifth inning but exited the ballgame with a four-run lead after throwing 59 of 97 pitches for strikes (61% strike rate). Sabathia was coming off a seven-run, 2-1/3 inning outing — his shortest start of the season. He has posted a 3.77 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 135 strikeouts through 148 innings this season. Sabathia is 0-2 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Rays this season. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-6, RBI), Matt Duffy (5-9, 2 RBI), Carlos Gomez (9-21, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (5-16, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Adam Moore (1-2)  

Tyler Glasnow took the loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday despite giving up three runs in six innings. He allowed six hits (including a home run) and two walks while fanning six. The right-hander gave up all three runs in the fourth inning on Rowdy Tellez’s two-run homer and Reese McGuire’s run-scoring double. Glasnow notched his fourth quality start in five outings although he is 1-5 in his last six turns.

Lance Lynn didn’t factor into the decision on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out four along the way. Lynn has worked either five or six innings and given up two or fewer runs in each of his last three starts. He has done just enough to eat innings at the back end of New York’s rotation with questionable depth. In spite of a 4.80 ERA and 4.39 BB/9 on the season, he’s fanned 9.20 batters per nine across 153-2/3 innings. Lynn last faced the Rays on April 20, in a 6 IP/7 H/5 R/5 BB outing. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (2-6), Kevin Kiermaier (2-6, 2B), Tommy Pham (1-2), Mallex Smith (1-2, BB), Joey Wendle (1-3) 

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

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Ji-Man Choi clearly is excited for the weekend series against the Athletics. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After 5-1/2 months and 146 games, the Tampa Bay Rays are on the precipice of their most important series of the season. Enter the Oakland Athletics. A series win would allow the Rays to gain anywhere from one and three games on the Athletics, who sit eight games ahead of Tampa Bay in the American League Wildcard race. Then again, a series loss would all but wipe the slate clean on Tampa Bay’s postseason hopes in 2018. Expect the high drama and excitement of postseason baseball this weekend … this writer happens to be stoked, as does the Rays skipper:

I’m excited to see how the guys come in and perform, Rays manager Kevin Cash said. It’s being talked about. I kind of like the fact that it’s being talked about. Let’s see. Put some added emphasis on it and see how we respond. I’m going to guess that we’ll handle it well because they’ve handled all the challenges really well to this point.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Rays are coming off a series win against the AL Central-leading squad out of Cleveland. They continued their hot run of play having beaten two of the best pitchers in baseball, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. The key to the Rays success was the pitching staff, which limited Edwin Encarnacion and company to just seven total runs. Cleveland hoped to clinch the division title at the Trop, but that was not to be thanks to solid pitching and advantageous run scoring.

Since the start of September, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has performed to a combined 3.12 ERA/3.12 FIP (starters 3.82 ERA/3.88 FIP, relievers 2.77 ERA/2.89 FIP).

Meanwhile, the Athletics are coming off three consecutive series wins (vs. the Yankees, Rangers, and Orioles), although they did drop the series finale against Baltimore on Thursday, 5-3, which allowed Tampa Bay to pick up a half game in the AL Wildcard race. Like the Rays, Oakland’s hurlers have been very good, yet unlike Tampa Bay — which has a more well-rounded pitching staff — the Athletics success comes mainly from the relievers.

Decimated by injuries, the starting rotation has performed to a 4.05 ERA/4.99 FIP in the month of September (33-1/3 combined innings). Compare that the bullpen, which has performed to a 2.86 ERA/3.10 FIP in 56-2/3 September innings. If you’re counting, that’s an average of 3.33 innings per start over the last 11 games. And while the Rays’ starters maintain a similar innings per start figure in the month of September, that’s because of Kevin Cash’s use of openers three out of every five games.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Oakland has edged out Tampa Bay with a marginally better .695 winning percentage since the All-Star Break (as compared to a .633 WP%), although one could argue that the Rays are the more exciting team due in part to their nine walk-off wins. In order for the Rays to beat the Athletics this weekend, they will need to score runs early and often. It also will be incumbent on the pitching staff to preserve any leads the team may hold, and rein in the league-leading home run hitter Khris Davis, as well as rest of the team.

Tampa Bay beat Oakland three-games-to-one between May 28 to May 31, scoring 14 runs and limiting the Athletics to 10 along the way.

Pitching Probables

Considering when they last pitched, Kevin Cash will likely lean on Ryan Yarbrough (14-5, 3.78 ERA), Yonny Chirinos (4-5, 3.81 ERA), and Jalen Beeks (4-1, 5.57 ERA) to pitch the majority of innings over the next three days. Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.81 ERA) will open Friday, with the other two “openers” listed as TBD. There is also the possibility that Tyler Glasnow could pitch on regular rest. Bob Melvin will respond by throwing former Ray Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.26 ERA), a pitcher to be announced before Saturday’s ballgame, and Mike Fiers (12-6, 3.29 ERA).

(Stats Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Diego Castillo gave up the early lead on Monday when Michael Brantley walked with one out, was wild pitched into scoring position, and moved up to third on a groundout. Edwin Encarnacion followed with a single to left, putting Cleveland in front. Although that was the only hit Castillo would allow, as the right-hander gave up just one hit in the first two innings.

Yonny Chirinos allowed three earned runs on seven hits across 6-1/3 quality innings in a win over Baltimore on Sunday. He struck out six. Chirinos turned in the equivalent of a quality start, getting through his six-plus frames on an efficient 94 pitches (59 strikes, 63% strike rate, 16/25 first-pitch strikes). The right-hander has generated mixed results since assuming his current role, but he’s been sharper of late — considering Sunday’s line, Chirinos has allowed four earned runs over 13-1/3 innings while generating a 3.67 K/BB over his last two turns on the mound.

Edwin Jackson allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five across three innings. The right-hander struggled after firing a scoreless first inning, allowing four runs on three extra-base hits over the next two innings plus before being chased one batter into the fourth. The rough outing raised Jackson’s ERA from 2.91 to 3.26. The former Ray is 3-3 with a 3.98 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay, and 11-16 with a 5.35 ERA in 33 starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (2-2), Mallex Smith (1-1, RBI)

Ryan Yarbrough picked up the win Saturday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks across 3-2/3 innings. He struck out three. Yarbrough handled the majority of Saturday’s game for the Rays, allowing a run-scoring single to Jonathan Villar in the third inning and a two-run homer to Renato Nunez in the fourth, but a healthy amount of run support propelled the southpaw to his 14th win of the season. Yarbrough now owns a 3.78 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 2.61 K/BB across 133-1/3 innings (34 appearances, six starts) this season.

TBA

Jalen Beeks boasted neither fastball command or control Monday night. After escaping a pair of threatening situations in his first two innings of work, Francisco Lindor hit a one-out single to right, and Michael Brantley doubled to right-center. Jose Ramirez followed by looping a ball into shallow centerfield that fell beyond Brandon Lowe and in front of Smith for a double, chasing Beeks after 2-1/3 innings (51 pitches, 33 strikes, 65% strike rate, 8/13 first-pitch strikes) and making it 4-2. That made for the third consecutive short outing by the right-hander after he built up his arm back in August.

Mike Fiers allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings on Tuesday. He picked up the win. His remarkable run since getting traded to Oakland continued, as the right-handed Fiers is now 5-0 with 42 strikeouts across 39.2 innings (seven starts) in an Athletics uniform. He has won six straight decisions overall, and only needed 84 pitches (56 strikes, 66% strike rate, 18/22 first-pitch strikes) to cruise to this quality start. Fiers is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in four starts against the Rays, and 1-1 with a 7.31 ERA in three career starts at Tropicana Field. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-3, 2B), Matt Duffy (2-7), Mallex Smith (1-3), Jesus Sucre (2-5)

LBWMF: Rays trounce Orioles, 14-2, look to win series on Saturday

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The Rays scored 14 runs Friday night, thanks in part to four home runs, including a Ji-Man Choi grand slam. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

Nick Ciuffo, Kevin Kiermaier, Tommy Pham and Ji-Man Choi teamed up to hit four home runs on Friday as the Tampa Bay Rays cruised to a 14-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, who lost for the 100th time this season. 14 runs were more than enough for Blake Snell, who picked up his 18th win of the season. and the Rays.

The Rays have now won nine consecutive home games (42-24 at home overall), and are 30-8 in their last 38 games at Tropicana Field. The nine straight home wins are three shy of a franchise record.

Snell threw five innings of scoreless ball on 90 pitches but was chased in the sixth after giving up a one-out infield hit to Cedric Mullins, then a two-run homer to Joey Rickard. It was Rickard’s fourth homer against Tampa Bay this season, giving him 17 of his 23 total runs batted in against the Rays. All told, Snell struck fanned nine and allowed five hits across 5-1/3 innings and 104 pitches (72 strikes, 69% strike rate, 15/20 first-pitch strikes).

I felt like I was around the zone, for the most part, Snell said. The offense did very well. Gave me a quick lead. All credit goes to them.

Meanwhile, the Rays took the lead for good in the second inning against the right-hander Dylan Bundy. With two outs, Willy Adames lined a single to left-field before Jake Bauers walked. Ciuffo, batting for the first time at the Trop, homered to right, putting Tampa Bay up by three with one swing of the bat.

An inning later, Ji-Man Choi and Tommy Pham walked with one out. Yet Joey Wendle ground into an almost double play which would have ended the threat. He, however, beat out the throw to first, keeping the frame alive. Kiermaier, who reached in the first inning on a bunt single, homered off the fair pole in right, his seventh, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Tampa Bay also scored in the fifth inning on a solo homer to dead center by Pham off relief pitcher Sean Gilmartin.

Then in the sixth inning, Bauers walked before Ciuffo singled to center to put two on with one out. After Mallex Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice at third, and Matt Duffy walked, Choi crushed a 438-foot grand slam to right-field off Ryan Meisinger. Tampa Bay scored their first 11 runs via the longball.

The Rays tacked on three more runs in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded wild pitch, a Ciuffo sacrifice-fly, and an infield hit off the bat of Smith.

After Snell departed one out in the sixth inning, Jaime Schultz pitched 1-2/3 scoreless innings, while Andrew Kittredge and Hunter Wood threw an inning apiece. The hurlers combined for 15 strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.

The New What Next

The Rays have an opportunity to win both the current and season series against the Orioles on Saturday night. Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.48 ERA) will open for the Rays, with Ryan Yarbrough (13-5, 3.68 ERA) expected to work the bulk of the innings. They’ll be opposed by David Hess (3-9, 5.27 ERA).

Castillo has opened four times previously and has allowed runs in only one of those appearances. The flame-throwing right-hander has not walked a batter in those outings, covering 9-1/3 innings.

Yarbrough tossed five innings of relief on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three against Cleveland. The southpaw took the mound in the second inning after opener Diego Castillo tossed a scoreless first, and held Cleveland scoreless until the seventh when he allowed an RBI single to Jose Ramirez, knocking him out of the game. Yarbrough has lowered his ERA to 3.68, with a 2.67 K/BB, thanks to a 21-1/3 inning stretch where he has allowed just two earned runs total.

Hess allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits across four innings on Sunday against the Royals. He struck out three and threw just 10/21 first-pitch strikes. Hess was scored upon in three different innings and had an unearned run that originated from his own wild pitch. Hess was coming off three consecutive quality starts — perhaps his best stretch of the season. The right-hander held Tampa Bay scoreless across six innings in his first meeting of the season (May 25), but allowed three runs on four hits in 5-2/3 innings on August 9. Hess was cleared to start after he was hit in the eye with a football while playing catch before Friday’s contest. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (4-9, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Joey Wendle (4-5, BB) 

Rays 9/8/18 Starting Lineup

Smith RF
Wendle 3B
Pham LF
Choi DH
Kiermaier CF
Adames SS
Bauers 1B
Lowe 2B
Ciuffo C
Castillo RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — one last series preview

Noteworthiness

— Tampa Bay starts the day eight games back in the AL Wildcard race, but just 1-1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners, who stand between Tampa Bay and Oakland.

— The Rays will wear their Devil Rays throwback uniforms tonight for the last scheduled time this season.

— Michael Perez is back with the team. The backstop was in Cleveland for the birth of his son, Liam, on Wednesday. He said his hamstring is improving and is confident he’ll return to action this season.

— Former Ray Alex Cobb has been scratched from Sunday’s start due to a blister. Southpaw Josh Rogers will instead start for Baltimore.

— Since his average dipped to .175 on August 14, Kevin Kiermaier has hit .348 with five doubles, three triples, and three home runs.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — one last series preview

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Despite dropping the series finale in Toronto, snapping a four-game win streak, Kevin Kiermaier clubbed a pair of homers, accounting for two of the Rays three runs. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays return home from a successful eight-game road trip, where they will begin a nine-game homestand on Friday. The first to come into Tropicana Field are the Baltimore Orioles, who the Rays will face for the last time of the 2018 season.

The AL East foes are knotted up at 8-8 on the season, and Tampa Bay enters the series eight games back in the AL Wildcard race.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Despite dropping the series finale against Toronto, 10-3, Tampa Bay returned from its eight-game road trip having won five games — three of which came against top ceded teams. The Rays have re-asserted themselves into the postseason chase (well, in the eyes of the mainstream sporting world … some of us have been banging the drum for the Rays all season) with a hot 19-8 stretch of play, thanks to a productive offense and solid pitching.

Meanwhile, Baltimore — which is trying to stave off the inevitable 100 loss season — is coming off a series loss against the Seattle Mariners, having lost 15 of the last 20 games overall.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Suffice it to say, the Rays, somehow, have met a formidable opponent in the Orioles this season. Yet six of their eight wins have come under the big top, where they outscored the Birds 26-18. They say you must beat the teams beneath you, and well … the Orioles are the worst team in baseball. Tampa Bay needs to use this series as a springboard before the two important series that follow, against Cleveland and Oakland.

Pitching Probables

Based on when they last pitched, Kevin Cash will likely lean primarily on Blake Snell (17-5, 2.02 ERA), Ryan Yarbrough (13-5, 3.68 ERA), and Yonny Chirinos (3-5, 3.76 ERA) this weekend. Buck Showalter will counter with Dylan Bundy (7-13, 5.36 ERA), David Hess (3-9, 5.24 ERA), and Alex Cobb (5-15, 4.97 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed three hits (a single and two doubles), a walk, and three stolen bases in the first two innings of his last start. A throwing error by Matt Duffy in the second inning — when Cleveland took a two-run lead — certainly didn’t help. From there, however, the southpaw didn’t allow a runner beyond first base. He retired 10 consecutive batters before giving up a two-out single to Erik Gonzalez in the seventh inning and struck out four in a row during one stretch.

All told, Snell gave up two runs (one earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out nine on 101 pitches (62 strikes, 61% strike rate, 14/27 first-pitch strikes) across 6-2/3 innings. At 17 wins on the season, the left-hander is tied with Luis Severino and Corey Kluber — two other top candidates for the Cy Young Award — for the most wins in the majors. Snell is 5-0 in his last six starts while his 2.02 ERA is second in the AL behind Chris Sale (1.97 ERA).

Dylan Bundy allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk across 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. He struck out eight. The right-hander threw 71 of 101 pitches for strikes (70% strike rate) in his best start in almost a month — Bundy had otherwise been hammered for 25 runs in 19-1/3 innings over his previous four outings. After dishing up eight runs (seven earned) in his first start of the season against Tampa Bay (April 26), Bundy has allowed just three runs in his two subsequent two. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3, HR, RBI), CJ Cron (4-13, 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Mallex Smith (4-12, HR, 2 RBI), Joey Wendle (2-8, 2B, RBI)

Ryan Yarbrough tossed five innings of relief on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three against Cleveland. The southpaw took the mound in the second inning after opener Diego Castillo tossed a scoreless first, and held Cleveland scoreless until the seventh when he allowed an RBI single to Jose Ramirez, knocking him out of the game. Yarbrough has lowered his ERA to 3.68, with a 2.67 K/BB, thanks to a 21-1/3 inning stretch where he has allowed just two earned runs total.

David Hess allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits across four innings on Sunday against the Royals. He struck out three and threw just 10/21 first-pitch strikes. Hess was scored upon in three different innings and had an unearned run that originated from his own wild pitch. Hess was coming off three consecutive quality starts — perhaps his best stretch of the season. The right-hander held Tampa Bay scoreless across six innings in his first meeting of the season (May 25), but allowed three runs on four hits in 5-2/3 innings on August 9. Key Matchups: Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Matt Duffy (4-9, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Joey Wendle (4-5, BB) 

Yonny Chirinos put together another one of those spotty nights where he looked both terrible and terrific. His first inning was so bad, laboring through 25 pitches including back to back walks — and forcing Rays skipper Kevin Cash to get the bullpen warmed up early — then, with a refocused verve, zipped through the next six innings on just 47 pitches. When all was said and done, Chirinos threw seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits, but three walks, on 72 efficient pitches (42 strikes, 58% strikes, 10.3 pitches per inning). The right-hander coaxed 12 ground balls, including three double plays.

Alex Cobb allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings against the Mariners on Tuesday. Cobb allowed a solo home run to Robinson Cano in the first inning, then settled down the rest of the way to notch his seventh quality start in eight tries. The former Ray has worked to an impressive 2.73 ERA over 52-2/3 innings in that span, although the damage on his season-long peripherals (4.97 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) has already been done thanks to a dreadful start to his 2018 campaign. Cobb is 0-3 with a 4.63 ERA in four starts against his former team, although his last start was very good, as the right-hander limited the Rays to one run on five hits and two walks across seven innings. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3), Jake Bauers (2-6, 2 RBI), Ji-Man Choi (2-3, 2B, RBI), Matt Duffy (2-6), Mallex Smith (4-8, 2B), Joey Wendle (4-11, 2 RBI)

LBWMF: Rays bounce back against Cleveland, 5-3, tying the series

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The Rays put together a nice 5-3 bounce back win against Cleveland Saturday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Bereft of his best stuff early on, Blake Snell gave up two uncharacteristic runs (one earned) in the second inning but battled through 6-2/3 frames, as the Rays rallied for four runs in the sixth to put him on the winning side of the ledger. Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland on Saturday, 5-3, and enter Sunday’s finale eight games back in the Wildcard race with 27 left to play.

The first two innings were messy for Snell, who allowed three hits (a single and two doubles), a walk, and three stolen bases. A throwing error by Matt Duffy in the second inning — when Cleveland took a two-run lead — certainly didn’t help.

Brandon Guyer reached on the abovementioned leadoff two-base throwing error before Melky Cabrera followed with a double to left-center two pitches later. Yan Gomes added a run on his own double to left, putting Cleveland in front 2-0. Yet Snell buckled down and got Erik Gonzalez to pop out in foul territory on a botched bunt attempt. Then, Francisco Lindor struck out getting the southpaw one out closer escaping the jam. Two pitches later, Michael Brantley singled to shallow center, however, Kevin Kiermaier prevented a third run, throwing out Gomes at the plate, ending the threat.

From there, the southpaw didn’t allow a runner beyond first base. He retired 10 consecutive batters before giving up a two-out single to Erik Gonzalez in the seventh inning and struck out four in a row during one stretch.

We always talk about what his best start is, this and that, Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the game. You can argue that was his best start because he didn’t have anything. He didn’t cruise by any means. He had to work. But that was a pretty telling performance from Blake and how far he’s come.

Snell said his stuff improved as the night progressed.

I started slow, frustrated about that, Snell said. But I’m very happy with how I came back, fastball started to jump there towards the end, slider, everything started to work a lot better.

All told, Snell gave up two runs (one earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out nine on 101 pitches (62 strikes, 61% strike rate, 14/27 first-pitch strikes) across 6-2/3 innings. At 17 wins on the season, the left-hander is tied with Luis Severino and Corey Kluber — two other top candidates for the Cy Young Award — for the most wins in the majors. Snell is 5-0 in his last six starts while his 2.02 ERA is second in the AL behind Chris Sale (1.97 ERA).

Meanwhile, the Rays rallied for four runs in the sixth inning.

Brandon Lowe started things off against Shane Bieber with a hard single to right-center ahead of Joey Wendle, who doubled to right, putting both runners into scoring position with none out. Duffy was next, atoning for his throwing error by looping a double into the rightfield corner, scoring both runners.

Then with one out, after Duffy moved up to third on a Ji-Man Choi grounder to second, Tommy Pham ripped a double to the left-center gap, putting Tampa Bay ahead for the first time, 3-2, chasing Shane Bieber.

Left-handed reliever Tyler Olson entered in relief, and Kiermaier greeted him with a run-scoring single to right, putting Tampa Bay up by two.

The Outlaw later left the game with back spasms and is listed as day-to-day.

Cleveland had a great chance to rally against Tampa Bay in the eighth. Jose Alvarado, who got the last out for Snell in the bottom of the seventh, began the frame and Brantley reached on a Willy Adames error. After Jose Ramirez walked, Alvarado gave way to Chaz Roe, who got Edwin Encarnacion to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Finally, with Brantley at third, Yandy Diaz flew out to center, ending the threat.

In the top of the ninth, Lowe crushed a homer (his second of the season) off the rightfield foul pole, putting the Rays up by three.

Even though Roe allowed a pinch-hit homer to Jason Kipnis, capping the scoring, he got the next two batters before Adam Kolarek got the final out to close out the game for his second save of the season.

All told, Tampa Bay collected 13 hits — two from Wendle, Duffy and Lowe, while Ji-Man Choi had three.

The New What Next

The rubber game of the series is this afternoon. Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.73 ERA) will open the game for the Rays, whileRyan Yarbrough (12-5, 3.75 ERA) is expected to pitch the bulk of the innings.

Castillo hadn’t given up a three-run homer in Atlanta his last time out — the first runs allowed by the right-hander in 10 innings of work.

Yarbrough allowed one run on five hits and one walk across five innings on Saturday against Boston. He struck out two. Yarbrough stifled a difficult Red Sox lineup through five innings before exiting with the game tied at one apiece. The lone run he allowed came from a double play groundout in the second inning. The 25-year-old now owns a solid 3.75 ERA through 124-2/3 innings this season.

Carrasco struck out 11 across 7-2/3 shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Twins. He allowed four hits and two walks along the way. Carrasco was at the top of his game, throwing 68% of his pitches for strikes as he recorded his second-highest strikeout total of the season. He also limited base runners to great effect and allowed just one runner to reach scoring position. The 31-year-old hurler is in the midst of one of his best stretches of the season, tossing at least seven scoreless innings in three of his last four starts. Like Kluber before him, Carrasco has been especially tough on the Rays over his career, going 4-3 with a 2.77 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts).

Rays 9/2/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle 3B

Pham CF

Choi DH

Cron 1B

Lowe 2B

Adames SS

Bauers LF

Gomez RF

Moore C

Castillo RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

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

Noteworthiness

— Mallex Smith had five plate appearances of a rehab game for the Charlotte Stone Crabs yesterday (0–4, BB, K). He could join the Rays in Toronto this week.

— From the fingertips of Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) to your eyes:

The Rays are 5-2 in an eight-game stretch of three straight series against first place teams. Of the 27 remaining games, 11 are against clubs above .500 with the remaining 16 against teams below that mark.