The New What Next: Rays vs. Red Sox, Part Three — A Series Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are setting the pace in the American League East while the Boston Red Sox flounder at the bottom.
— The Sports XChange

The Rays will try to bury the last-place Red Sox even further at the bottom of the AL East, while also gain some separation in the division when they host that team for a three-game series, starting Friday. Even though Tampa Bay has dropped three of its last four games, including a pair shutouts, it has had no problem with Boston in 2015 — the Rays are winners of the two previous series between the division rivals.

The Red Sox, losers of 10 of their last 15 games, are trying to cope with the loss of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring strain on Thursday. Boston is coming off a series loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Tampa Bay will start Alex Colome, Matt Andriese, and Chris Archer over the next three days. Colome has endured some ups and downs this reason with the team, although the 26 year-old righty took a perfect game into the sixth inning and ended up allowing just one hit in seven scoreless against Cleveland in his last start. Colome pitched five innings at Fenway on May 6, allowing just two runs on four hits in a 5-3 win. Andriese gave up four runs on five hits — including thee home runs — over 5-1/3 innings in a loss Monday to Toronto. He struck out two and walked none. Andriese has never faced Boston. King Archer gave up just two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while fanning seven over eight innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He allowed one run over 5-2/3 innings in his lone start against the Red Sox this season, walking one while striking out nine.

Rick Porcello: Porcello (4-8, 5.61 ERA) is in the throes of a woeful ix game losing streak. The former Tiger was hammered for six runs on eight hits — including a pair of home runs — and two walks in five innings against the Royals on Saturday. That outing marked the fourth time in the last six turns that he relinquished at least five earned runs. A caveat, Porcello had his best start in a Red Sox uniform against Tampa Bay on May 5, when he scattered eight hits and no walks over seven scoreless innings. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (13-47, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), David DeJesus (10-25, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Marc Krauss (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB), Rene Rivera (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (2-3). 

Wade Miley: Per Rotowire, Miley (7-6, 4.50 ERA) pitched six shutout innings Sunday, giving up five hits and three walks while striking out two in a 13-2 win over Kansas City. The 28 year-old lefty has been excellent in his last two starts against Tampa Bay, allowing just one run on seven hits and walks in 13-1/3 combined innings of work. Miley features a 92 mph sinker and four-seam fastball, an 85 mph slider, an 84mph worm killer of a circle change, and a 77 mph curveball. Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (3-10, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Rene Rivera (4-8, 2B, 2 RBI).

Justin Masterson: The Red Sox optioned RHP Joe Kelly to Triple-A on Thursday, and RHP Justin Masterson was tapped to take his spot in the rotation. Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) has been spotty in seven starts this season. The Rays, historically, have had a good amount of success against the right-handed four-seam fastball/slider/change-up throwing hurler, slashing a combined .345 BA/.450 OBP/.619 SLG/1.069 OPS line. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, 2 RBI), Asdrubal Cabrera (3-7, 3B, RBI), David DeJesus (4-13, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB), Logan Forsythe (1-2, RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-1, 2B, BB), Evan Longoria (8-25, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB).

Noteworthiness

— LHP reliever Jake McGee has not allowed a run in any of his last 11 appearances. Moreover, of the 308 batters McGee, Brad Boxberger, and Kevin Jepsen have faced, 287 have been in (according to Baseball Reference) “Late and Close” situations.

— We wrote previously that the Rays have acquired 1B/OF Marc Krauss from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Krauss is expected to fill in for James Loney until his return after the All Star Break, then could be optioned to Durham after.

— The last pitchers to match Chris Archers wins, strikeouts, and ERA on this date: Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson — the 2000 Cy Young Award winners.

— Drew Smyly is scheduled to throw off the mound Saturday at Tropicana Field. In other injury news, John Jaso is slated to start his rehabilitation assignment Saturday with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Both Jaso and James Loney are still a good couple of weeks away from being added to the active roster.

Additionally, Matt Moore is scheduled to throw six innings/90 pitches in his last rehab start on Friday. Meanwhile Erasmo Ramirez threw a bullpen session Friday at the Trop. Ramirez did well in his session — he flashed thumbs-up after his session and said he was good to go. He should get the start Tuesday night against the Indians.

— The Rays released 1B Allan Dykstra and INF Eugenio Velez from the Durham Bulls.

— Boston LF Hanley Ramirez (hand contusion) sat out Thursday and is day-to-day.