Tampa Bay looks for a win after dropping the series finale (and the series, if you want to get technical) to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. However, they have won five of their last eight games. The Rays offense continues to ebb — the team has scored a total of eight runs in their last three games, and three runs or fewer in six of their last seven games. Tampa Bay’s success is due, in part, to a pitching staff that has allowed two runs or fewer in half of their 61 games. However, Evan Longoria and company have split the last six games when scoring three runs or fewer. The Rays have lost seven of their last eight home games.
Like Tampa Bay, the White Sox have won five of their last eight games, while scoring an anemic 11 runs in their last three games. Yet the south-siders have plated four or more runs in five of their last eight games, and are winners of four of their last five games when scoring more than three runs.
With Chris Sale getting the nod on Sunday, the Rays will have to pounce on any opportunities handed to them by John Danks (on Friday), and Jeff Samardzija (on Saturday) — a feat that is not out of the realm of possibility. Danks (3-5, 5.17 ERA, 4.76 ERA) is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA in his career against the Rays, while Samardzija (4-4, 4.93 ERA, 3.99 FIP) certainly isn’t the highly sought after pitcher from 2014.
Tampa Bay is 1-4 in the last five meetings with the ChiSox.
Jeff Samardzija: Per Rotowire, Samardzija allowed six runs on 10 hits in 7-1/3 innings against the Tigers on Sunday to fall to 4-4 on the season. The 30 year-old lefty has spent much of his career as a pitcher with a considerable amount of hype, but only so-so result — a career 3.91 ERA and 3.74 FIP speaks to that. Samardzija hasn’t thrown his inside fastball to right-handed batters as frequently, resulting in a gaudy .297 BA/.323 OBP/.505 SLG/.828 OPS line (up from .228 BA/.272 OBP/.359 SLG/.631 OPS last season). His strikeout rate is 17.5% against righties, down from 22.1% last season (22.3% for his career). Moreover, his four-seamer and sinker have become fairly hittable, although both pitches are whiffy. When his fastball is working, it can be effective. But when he misses, hitters make him pay. Key matchups: Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 3B, RBI), Evan Longoria (1-3, HR, RBI).
Chris Sale: Per Rotowire, Sale (6-2) struck out a season-high 14 while holding the Astros to a run on five hits and a walk over eight innings in Monday’s 3-1 victory. I think we all can agree that the 26 year-old lefty is pretty damn good. To keep things simple, Sale’s four-seamer, slider, and change-up are fantastic, and generate a lot of whiffs. Gulp, he also has a pretty good sinker and boasts a lot of deception thanks to his almost submarine arm angle.
Noteworthiness
— Rays manager Kevin Cash made a number of roster moves following Thursday night’s contest.
Andrew Bellatti has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to shoulder inflammation. Cash opted to recall RHP Matt Andriese, who will start in the series opener on Friday, and southpaws C.J. Riefenhauser and Enny Romero, who will join the bullpen. Note: Romero was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, but but he was recalled because Bellatti went on the DL.
In making the roster moves, Preston Guilmet was optioned back to Durham, and because the team needed another open spot on the roster, Bobby Wilson was designated for assignment.
Given the shape of where our pitching staff is at, his roster spot has kind of come into play where we need the pitching, Cash told the media after the game.
Tampa Bay will go into the series with the ChiSox with just one catcher, Rene Rivera, though utility man Jake Elmore will serve as the backup. Curt Casali is expected to be activated on Saturday.
Andriese was to pitch for the Durham Bulls on Friday. The righty had two other stints with the Rays this season, going 0-1, 4.79 with two saves in seven games (three starts). As for Bellatti, he told the Times that the soreness in his shoulder developed Tuesday while playing catch. The righty is optamistic that he can return in two weeks, hoping he can resume throwing on Sunday.