The Tampa Bay Rays will try to bounce back after losing their second straight game ― and the eighth in a 10-game stretch ― this time to the Kansas City Royals, 6-2. Tampa Bay has fallen to a season’s worst five games under .500.
Aside from the disappointing loss, the concern over a potential injury led to INF Steve Pearce’s removal from last night’s contest. After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Pearce “tweaked something” in his right elbow during his last at-bat. Concerned about being able to make a throw from second, Pearce removed himself from the ballgame. According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) Pearce conceded postgame that his right elbow has been bothering him for a while, although he hadn’t felt it on a swing prior to Monday night. Pearce expects to be able to play Tuesday evening.
The New What Next
Taking the mound tonight the Rays is LHP Drew Smyly, opposite of Royals hurler Dillon Gee. Smyly allowed a pair of two-run homers to Miami in last start. Both he and James Shields hold the distinction of being the only Rays pitchers who’ve accrued six losses, yet with a sub-4.00 ERA. Smyly is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 15 games games against the Royals, and is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five starts.
Gee is a former Met who will make his fourth start of the season since moving into the rotation from the bullpen. He is 1-2 with a 5.65 ERA in his first three starts with his former World Series nemesis. Gee allowed three homers over four innings to Twins in last start, and has never faced the Rays. You can read more on the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 5/31/16 Starting Lineup
Guyer LF
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Pearce 2B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Dickerson DH
Mahtook CF
Casali C
Smyly LHP
Noteworthiness
― According to the game notes, the Royals have won 13 of last the 14 home games against the Rays, outscoring them 99-41.