The New What Next: Rays vs. Twins — A Series Preview, Rays Roster Moves, Watch Party

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to start a five game road trip just one game out of first place in the AL East, after winning three consecutive games at home against the New York Yankees. Their first stop is Minneapolis, where the Rays will take on the Twins in a three-game, weekend series.

The Rays seek their 16th win in the last 19 contests against the Twins (and their 10th in the past 11 in Minnesota) in the regular season version of the Knutson Classic. They swept the Twins in three games, in their only visit to the Twin Cities last season. Bolstered by the stick of Logan Forsythe, the team has scored four or more in seven of their last nine games, and totaled 18 in a four-game series against the New York Yankees. The ability to produce runs is of the utmost importance, as Jake Odorizzi, the starter in the series opener, has been provided with two or fewer runs in six of his seven starts (totaling 2.28 per nine innings; one of the lowest marks among MLB starters).

Minnesota, on the other hand, took a 13-1 drubbing in Thursday’s finale in Detroit. The Twins starting lineup produced just five singles in that game. Moreover, Minnesota has batted .200 and been outscored 25-10 while dropping three of four — all this after hitting .307 and averaging 6.7 runs in a 12-3 stretch.

Series Starters

Jake Odorizzi vs. Phil Hughes: After having his last start delayed a day by the flu, Odorizzi allowed just one earned run on seven hits in 6-2/3 innings of a no-decision. The lanky righty is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in three road starts this season. Despite cruising early against the Indians on Saturday, Hughes gave up four runs on 10 hits over 6-1/3 innings.

Alex Colome vs. Trevor May: Colome gave up four home runs in a loss to the Yankees on Monday night. There were questions that the Yankees may have been keyed in on the Rays signs in that game. Colome was credited with a victory in his only road start, surrendering just two runs in five innings. May struggled against Cleveland on Sunday, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks over four innings.

Chris Archer vs. Kyle Gibson: Archer escaped early danger in his last start, rebounding to retire 15 of the last 16 batters he faced en route to a no-decision. In three starts against the Twins, Archer owns a 3-0 record with a 0.49 ERA. Gibson has a ridiculous 0.96 ERA over his last four starts.

Phil Hughes: Phil Hughes has benefited from a combined 15 runs in his back-to-back wins to start the second month of play. He’s allowed nine runs in 12-1/3 innings in those games. The righty is 3-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 11 career starts against Tampa Bay, and 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in his last three. He allowed five runs and 11 hits in seven innings in his only start against the Rays last season. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (4-9, 2B), David DeJesus (6-10, 3B, HR, 5 RBI), Brandon Guyer (2-3), James Loney (9-14, 2 2B, 1 RBI), Evan Longoria (8-27, 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Bobby Wilson (2-5).

Trevor May: Per Rotowire, May gave up six runs over four innings with four strikeouts and three walks to take the loss Sunday against Cleveland. The 25 year-old righty features an above average change-up with good fade and deception from his arm speed, a plus fastball, and both a decent slider and curveball to go along with good command.

Kyle Gibson: Per Rotowire, Gibson was fantastic yet again Tuesday, giving up one run on five hits and zero walks with six strikeouts over seven innings against the Tigers. In spite of his solid numbers, the Rays have owned the breakout candidate, tagging the righty for 17 runs on 23 hits in his previous 15-1/3 innings of work. Key matchups: David DeJesus (2-2, 3 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3), James Loney (4-7, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (3-7, 2B, 3 RBI, BB).

Noteworthiness

— James Loney has eight hits in his last 11 at-bats against Hughes. Might he be starting to get toasty? Loney went 2-3 on Thursday after going 2-15 in his prior five games.

— David DeJesus, 11-26 (.423) in his past nine contests, is 6-10 lifetime against Hughes.

— Desmond Jennings is eligible for activation from the DL on May 11, although the team is targeting a late May return. Likewise Matt Moore is eligible June 4, yet the team is targeting a late June return. Moore is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and pitch a simulated game Monday in Port Charlotte.

— Welcome back Jake McGee! The Rays reinstated McGee from the DL after the game on Thursday, corresponding by optioning Matt Andriese back to Triple-A Durham. Andriese became the first Ray to earn a pair of (at least) three-inning saves in one season since Lance Carter did the same in 2002. McGee told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) that he will be eased back into the bullpen mix. He won’t be used on back-to-back days initially, and is open to whatever role he gets.

— Nick Franklin continued his rehab stint in Durham. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a fielding error.

— LOOGY Xavier Cedeno hasn’t allowed a run in his last eight appearances. No LHP has started his Rays career with a longer scoreless stretch.

— The tweet below bears mentioning. Now, go listen to Iron Maiden:

@XRaysSpex just want to point out that Ramirez’s ERA is now 6.66

— myke nuhzarrow (@mikeisthereason) May 15, 2015

— Don’t forget about our watch party at Green Bench Brewing Company on Saturday, May 16. See ya there!