Game 126: Rays at Boston Red Sox — Pregame News and Notes
Updated 3:20 p.m. After seeing their six-game win streak snapped on Friday with a 9–8 loss at Boston, the Rays will look to get back in the win column on Saturday. Tampa Bay (69–56) allowed nine runs on Friday for the first time since a 10–3 loss to Baltimore on August 12th. The Rays followed that game by winning 11 of the next 13.
The loss to the Red Sox was just the third this season in 11 games for the Rays. Tampa Bay is now a half game ahead of Seattle and Toronto for the top wild card, three games in front of Baltimore for the final playoff spot. The Rays are 11–4 in a stretch of 17 games without an off day. Here’s the Rays lineup:
Diaz DH
Margot RF
Arozarena LF
Ramirez 1B
Paredes 3B
Bethancourt C
Chang 2B
Walls SS
Siri CF
Jeffrey Springs (6–3 2.46) will get the start on Saturday. Springs gave up one run over 5.2 innings his last time out against the Angels in a 2–1 win. Springs gave up three runs in four innings in his most recent start against Boston on July 5th in an 8–4 victory. That was the first appearance for Springs at the time in 19 days.
The Rays have added a fresh arm to the bullpen, optioning yesterday’s bulk pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, and recalling Garrett Cleavinger, a lefty who was acquired at the trading deadline. Cleavinger has struck out 17 in nine innings with Durham. With off days on Monday and Thursday, the Rays won’t need a fifth start until the next series with Boston (September 5–7).
Rich Hill (5–5 4.68) will get the ball against one of his former clubs. Hill allowed two runs in five innings at Pittsburgh in his last start. Hill has not faced the Rays since April 24th, when he threw four shutout innings in a 5–2 defeat.
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Boston has activated infielder Trevor Story off the IL. Story has not played with the Red Sox since July 12th. Story fractured his finger in that series when he swung and missed at a Corey Kluber pitch that also hit Story on the finger. Jarren Duran has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester. He’s in the lineup:
Pham LF
Verdugo RF
Martinez DH
Devers 3B
Bogaerts SS
Story 2B
Hernandez CF
Dalbec 1B
Plawecki C
On the injury front for the Rays, Matt Wisler threw a 1–2–3 inning on rehab for Durham on Friday and Nick Anderson, recently optioned had a perfect inning too. Here’s what else happened in the Rays minor league system on Friday:
Durham (67–53) lost 11–8 to Nashville. Vidal Brujan had three hits, including a homer, and Rene Pinto had three hits and four RBI.
Montgomery (59–51, 31–18) dropped a 6–1 game against Pensacola. Evan Edwards homered for the lone run.
Bowling Green (70–46, 29–22): fell to Braves affiliate Rome 6–5. Heriberto Hernandez had two hits and an RBI.
Charleston (79–39, 33–19): downed Fayetteville 7–1. JJ Goss allowed a run on two hits over six innings, while Shane Sasaki had two hits and two RBI.
FCL (39–16): lost game one of a best of three championship against the Yankees 7–2.
Coverage on the Rays Radio Network begins at 3:30 p.m. and Dave and Andy will have the call with first pitch at 4:10. Join us at Hooters on Gandy Boulevard in South Tampa for a Rays Watch Party.
