Tag: Tampa Bay Rays

ALCS: RAYS-ASTROS NOTES.

TODAY’S GAME 5: The Astros will try to stave off elimination again today in Game 5 of the ALCS at Petco Park against the Rays…Houston is trying to become
just the second team in MLB history to rally back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series…the only other team to do so were the 2004 Red Sox, who came back to beat the Yankees in a thrilling ALCS.
GARCIA GETS THE NOD: The Astros will start rookie RHP Luis Garcia today in what will be his first career postseason appearance…Garcia impressed in
his first five MLB appearances in 2020, all coming in September, including a 5.0-inning scoreless start on Sept. 9 at OAK, in which he allowed just one hit…prior to this season, Garcia had not appeared in a game above Class A, where he spent all of 2019…he did post monster numbers at the level, compiling 168 strikeouts in 108.2 innings and a .172 opponent batting average.
ROOKIE HURLERS: The Astros matched the Marlins by using an Major League-high 15 rookie pitchers in 2020…they have nine rookie pitchers on
their ALCS roster and have used six rookies so far this postseason, who have combined for a solid 2.97 ERA (12ER/36.1IP) in 23 appearances (three starts)…RHP Cristian Javier has led this group, going 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA (1ER/8.1IP) in four appearances.
STARTING STRONG: RHP Luis Garcia has big shoes to fill, following the four other Astros starters this series, which have combined for a 2.25 ERA (6ER/24IP)…they’ve posted 30 strikeouts in 24.0 IP.
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: This is the Astros 14th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 59th year of the franchise that began in
1962…this group of Astros has won a postseason series in four straight seasons (2017-20), leading all MLB teams in postseason games (54) and wins (31) in
that time frame…in both categories, the Astros top the Dodgers (44g, 26 wins) and Yankees (34g, 18 wins).
LCS HISTORY: This marks the Astros fourth straight trip to the ALCS and their eighth appearance overall in an LCS (1980, 1986, 2004-05, 2017-20)…they are the third team in AL history and the fifth team in MLB history to advance to four straight LCS (since 1969)…the other clubs to do so: the Cardinals (2011-14), Yankees (1998-2001), Braves (1991-99) and A’s (1971-75).
GAME 4 WIN: The Astros played a clean ballgame last night, downing the Rays 4-3 to stay alive in the ALCS…RHP Zack Greinke was masterful, tossing
6.0 innings and allowing two runs, both coming on a homer, with seven strikeouts…he was backed by 2B Jose Altuve (2×4, 2RBI), who homered in the 1st
inning for the third time this series, and CF George Springer, who went 3×4, including a go-ahead homer.
TAG TEAMS: Per Elias, last night marked the fourth time for 2B Jose Altuve and OF George Springer to homer in the same postseason game…the only pair
of teammates in MLB history to do it more often is another Astros duo, Springer and SS Carlos Correa, who have turned the trick seven times.

ON THE CUSP—Today the Rays have a second opportunity to advance
to the World Series, after their 4-3 loss in Game 4…in postseason history,
teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven have gone on to win the series 37 of
38 times (97.4 pct.)…the only team to come back from a 3-0 deficit was the
2004 Red Sox, against the Yankees in the AL Championship Series…only
eight of the previous 38 series were extended to a Game 5, and no team
has taken the series to 6 games since the Red Sox completed the comeback
against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
– The Rays are a win away from their second AL pennant (2008),
but the only current Rays player or uniformed personnel who witnessed them winning it in 2008 from field level (Game 7, at Tropicana Field) was Kevin Cash, who was a Red Sox catcher at the time.
– The Rays have won six of their last eight postseason games since
losing Game 1 to the Yankees…the Rays are 24-23 all-time in the
postseason, 8-3 in 2020 and 10-4 since Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS…
including the end of the regular season, they are 17-5 since Sep 17.
– The Rays haven’t lost back-to-back games this postseason…the last
time in the regular season was Sep 7-10 at WAS, vs. BOS (0-3).
Ê Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost
once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.
– Happy 49th Birthday to Rays hitting coach Chad Mottola.
CLOSE SHAVES—Between the regular season and postseason, 39 of the
club’s 71 games (54.9 pct.) have been decided by 2 runs (or fewer)…the
Rays are 28-11 (.718) in them, going 5-1 in the postseason in addition to a
majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the Rays are 16-6 (.727) in
1-run games, including 2-1 this postseason and 15-4 (.789) since Aug 7.
– Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a major league-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 35-1, 32-0
and 39-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively.
– Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 62 straight games when
leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.
– The Rays have three comeback wins this postseason after an A-Lmost 20 come-from-behind wins during the regular season.
PITCHING PROPERLY—The Rays have allowed 10 runs in their last 5
games…last night the Rays snapped a club-record streak of allowing 2
runs (or fewer) in four consecutive postseason games…the Rays have allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in six of 11 postseason games (54.5 pct.), after doing
that in 21 of 60 games (35.0 pct.) during the regular season…the Rays have
a 3.15 ERA (97-IP, 34-ER) in the postseason, including a 3.48 ERA (51.2-IP,
20-ER) from their starters and a 2.78 ERA (45.1-IP, 14-ER) from relievers.
– Last night both Tyler Glasnow and Zack Greinke went 6 IP, only
the third time this postseason both starters went 6 IP (or more)…
the two previous instances came in NL Wild Card Series; the last
time in the AL was Game 1 of the 2019 ALCS (Tanaka vs. Greinke).
– The Rays have held the Astros to 9 runs and 6 HR (five solo) this
series, after the Astros scored 33 runs and hit 12 HR in the Division
Series (4 games vs. Oakland)…similarly, the Rays held the Yankees
to 24 runs and 10 HR in the 5-game Division Series, after the Yankees scored 22 runs and hit 7 HR in their Wild Card sweep at CLE.
– Opponents are batting .176 (12-for-68) against Rays pitching with
RISP this postseason…the Rays have held the Astros to .192 (5-for26) with RISP—and only one of these 5 hits has resulted in a run.
– The Rays bullpen has stranded all 21 IR this postseason…according
to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the longest streak of inherited
runners stranded to start a postseason, passing the 2006 Cardinals
(17)…in the last 8 games (beginning with Game 2 of the ALDS vs.
NYY), the Rays bullpen has pitched to a 2.06 ERA (35-IP, 8-ER).
PITCHING PLANS—Today’s game will be started by RH John Curtiss, his
fourth career start…he went 1.1, 1.1 and 0.2 IP in his first 3 starts, yielding
a combined 2 runs (1 ER) in 3.1 IP (Aug 20 at NYY, Sep 15 vs. WAS, Sept.
26 vs. PHI)…this is the third time in club postseason history the Rays are
using an opener to start, following RH Ryan Thompson in Game 4 of the
2020 ALDS at NYY (5-1 loss) and RH Diego Castillo in Game 4 of the 2019
ALDS vs. HOU (4-1 win)…the Rays used an opener seven times in the regular season and went 6-1 when doing so after going 26-17 (.605) in 2019.
– Including postseason, since the debut of the opener on May 19, 2018, the
Rays have used one 107 times and are 65-42 (.607) in those games.
POWER BALL—69.6 pct. (32 of 46) of the Rays runs this postseason have
come on home runs, compared to 41.5 pct. (120 of 289) during the regular season…the Rays have hit 18 HR this postseason, but only four in the
League Championship Series after hitting 11 in the Division Series.

ALCS: RAYS-ASTROS NOTES

ON THE CUSP—In postseason history, teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven have gone on to win the series 37 of 38 times (97.4 pct.)…the only team
to come back from a 3-0 deficit was the 2004 Red Sox (ALCS vs. NYY)…
the Rays are attempting to become the sixth team to sweep the American League Championship Series since its best-of-seven format began
in 1985…they would join the 1988 Athletics, 1990 Athletics, 2006 Tigers,
2012 Tigers and 2014 Royals…the Rays are attempting to sweep a multigame postseason series for the second time, but the only previous time
was a best-of-three 2020 Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field (vs. TOR).
— The Rays are a win away from their second AL pennant (2008),
but the only current Rays player or uniformed personnel who witnessed them winning it in 2008 from field level (Game 7, at Tropicana Field) was Kevin Cash, who was a Red Sox catcher at the time.
— The Rays have won six of their past seven postseason games since
losing Game 1 to the Yankees…the Rays are 24-22 all-time in the
postseason, 8-2 in 2020 and 10-3 since Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS…
including the end of the regular season, they are 17-4 since Sep 17.
— Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost
once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.

The Astros will try to stave off elimination tonight in Game 4 of the American
League Championship Series at Petco Park against the Rays…to do so, the Astros will turn to 17-year veteran RHP Zack Greinke, who’s making his 19th
career postseason start, this time opposite RHP Tyler Glasnow and the Rays.
GREINKE THIS POSTSEASON: The Astros will start RHP Zack Greinke tonight, who has two starts this postseason, Game 1 of the Wild Card Series at
MIN (1ER/4IP) and Game 4 of the ALDS vs. OAK (4ER/4.2IP)…this will be Greinke’s second career postseason start against the Rays, as he started Game
3 of the 2019 ALDS at TB (6ER/3.2IP).

HE’S DUE: Greinke has gone 3-6 with a 4.29 ERA (48ER/100.2IP) and ranks tied for third among active pitchers with 18 career postseason starts, trailing only RHP Justin Verlander (30) and LHP Clayton Kershaw (27) in that category…Greinke has gone 10 postseason starts without earning a win dating to his last postseason victory in Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS vs. NYM…the MLB record is 11
consecutive postseason starts without a win, streaks authored by LHP David Price (2010-18), RHP Tim Hudson (2002-14) and LHP Al Leiter (1997-2000).
VS. GLASNOW: RHP Tyler Glasnow has been
great this postseason for the Rays, going 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA and posting a dominant 20 strikeouts in his 13.1 innings…he last pitched in Game 5 of the ALDS, starting on two days rest, and tossed 2.1 scoreless frames…the Astros have experience against Glasnow in the postseason, having defeated him twice in the ALDS last year in Games 1 and 5, in which he allowed six runs in 7.0 innings for a 0-2 record and a 7.71 ERA.
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: This is the Astros 14th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 59th year of the franchise that began in
1962…this group of Astros has won a postseason series in four straight seasons (2017-20), leading all MLB teams in postseason games (53) and wins (30) in
that time frame…in both categories, the Astros top the Dodgers (43g, 25 wins) and Yankees (34g, 18 wins).
LCS HISTORY: This marks the Astros fourth straight trip to the ALCS and their eighth appearance overall in a League Championship Series (1980, 1986, 2004-05, 2017-20)…they are the third team in AL history and the fifth team in Major League history to advance to four straight LCS (since 1969)…the other clubs to do so: the Cardinals (2011-14), Yankees (1998-2001), Braves
(1991-99) and A’s (1971-75).
THE WILL TO WIN—Last night the Rays overcame a 1-0 deficit, their
third comeback win of the postseason after an AL-most 20 come-from behind wins in the regular season…the Rays are 3-2 this postseason when
their opponent scores first after going an AL-best 15-14 in the regular season…last night was the second time in club history the Rays won a postseason game without hitting a home run, following Game 2 of the 2008
World Series vs. PHI…combining regular season and postseason, the Rays
are 15-6 (.714) when held without a homer, and their 14-5 (.737) mark in
the regular season was the best since the 1906 Cubs went 99-34 (.744).
— The Rays have been outhit, 26-18, this series, but they are 3-2 this
postseason when outhit by their opponent…they are 3-1 when
held to 4 hits (or fewer) and 3-2 when scoring 3 runs (or fewer).
— The Rays have 3 wins this postseason when striking out 13 times
(or more), the most for a team in a single postseason in major league
history…prior to this season, the Rays had never won a postseason
game on 13 SO (or more)…all three of these wins came in succession: Game 5 vs. NYY, Game 1 vs. HOU and Game 2 vs. HOU.
CLOSE SHAVES—Between the regular season and postseason, 38 of the
club’s 70 games (54.3 pct.) have been decided by 2 runs (or fewer)…the
Rays are 28-10 (.737) in them, going 5-0 in the postseason in addition to a
majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the Rays are 16-5 (.762) in
1-run games, including 2-0 this postseason and 15-3 (.833) since Aug 7.
— Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a majorleague-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 35-1, 32-0
and 39-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively.
— Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 62 straight games when
leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.
PITCHING PROPERLY—The Rays have allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in six of
10 postseason games, including four straight for the first time in franchise
history…this matches the longest such streak in the last 13 postseasons,
and they are the first to do it since the 2017 Dodgers (4)—the last team to
allow 2 runs (or fewer) in five straight is the 2007 Red Sox…the Rays have
a 3.03 ERA (89-IP, 30-ER) in the postseason, including a 3.15 ERA (45.2-IP,
16-ER) from their starters and a 2.91 ERA (43.1-IP, 14-ER) from relievers.
— The Rays have held the Astros to 5 runs and 4 HR (all solo) this
series, after the Astros scored 33 runs and hit 12 HR in the Division
Series (4 games vs. OAK)…similarly, the Rays held the Yankees to
24 runs and 10 HR in the 5-game Division Series, after the Yankees
scored 22 runs and hit 7 HR in their Wild Card sweep at CLE.
— Opponents are batting .167 (11-for-66) against Rays pitching with
RISP this postseason…the Rays have held the Astros to .167 (4-for24) with RISP—and none of these 4 hits have resulted in a run.
— The Rays bullpen has stranded all 21 IR this postseason…according
to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the longest streak of inherited
runners stranded to start a postseason, passing the 2006 Cardinals
(17)…in the last 7 games (beginning with Game 2 of the ALDS vs.
NYY), the Rays bullpen has pitched to a 2.18 ERA (33-IP, 8-ER).

ALCS: RAYS-ASTROS

TONIGHT’S STARTERS: The Astros will start RHP
José Urquidy tonight, who started both Game 2s for
the Astros this postseason, tossing 4.1 innings in each
outing…he last pitched on Oct. 7 vs. OAK, allowing four
runs on five hits, but did not factor into the decision…
Urquidy will be opposed by LHP Ryan Yarbrough,
who made his only postseason appearance this year
as the bulk pitcher for the Rays in Game 4 of the ALDS
at NYY, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on
six hits…both starters pitched in relief in their 2019
ALDS against each other, with Urquidy tossing 1.2
scoreless in one appearance and Yarbrough tossing
3.0 scoreless frames across three appearances.

Urquidy has been solid in the postseason in his brief career, posting a
1-0 record and a 2.89 ERA (6ER/18.2IP) in six games
(three starts)…he had his biggest postseason moment
in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series at WSH, earning
the win after tossing 5.0 shutout frames, allowing just
two hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

Yarbrough will be making the first start of his postseason career…is 1-0 with a
2.25 ERA (8-IP, 2-ER) in four career postseason apps, all in relief…made three scoreless apps in last season’s ALDS vs. HOU, appearing in Game 2 (1 IP), Game 4 (2 IP) and Game 5 (1 BF)…recorded the win in a bullpen game in Game 4, stranding an inherited runner with a Josh Reddick lineout to end the 2nd…pitched a perfect 3rd, then went single, flyout, double in the 4th and was replaced…was the beneficiary of a well-executed relay on a Yordan Alvarez double, with an 8-6-2 putout of Jose Altuve.

— Becomes the second non-opener in franchise history to start a postseason
game after previously making his Rays postseason debut in relief…joins David Price, who pitched out of the bullpen during the 2008 postseason

BY THE NUMBERS—In postseason history, teams leading 2-0 in a bestof-seven series have gone on to win the series 72 of 85 times (84.7 pct.),
according to MLB.com…the Rays have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven
series for the first time in club history…once they held a 2-0 lead in a
best-of-five series: the 2008 Division Series vs. CWS (led 2-0, won 3-1)…
the Rays swept their Wild Card Series over the Blue Jays and defeated
the Yankees in a decisive Game 5 of the Division Series to advance to the
League Championship Series for the second time in club history (2008).
— The Rays have won five of their last six postseason games since
losing Game 1 to the Yankees…the Rays are 23-22 all-time in the
postseason, 7-2 in 2020 and 9-3 since Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS.
— Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost
once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.
— Over the last two postseasons, the Rays are 1-3 when facing HOU/
NYY Gerrit Cole and 9-2 when facing any other starting pitcher.
CLOSE SHAVES—Between the regular season and postseason, 38 of the
Rays’ 69 games (55.1 pct.) have been decided by 2 runs (or fewer)…the
Rays are 28-10 (.737) in them, going 5-0 in the postseason in addition to a
majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the Rays are 16-5 (.762) in
1-run games, including 2-0 this postseason and 15-3 (.833) since Aug 7.
Ê Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a major-league-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 34-1, 31-0
and 38-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively.
— Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 61 straight games when
leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.
ABOUT THE OFFENCE—In Game 2 vs. HOU, the Rays became the second
team in major league history to win a postseason game with 13 SO (or
more) and 0 BB, joining the Reds in Game 1 of the 1973 NLCS vs. NYM…
that Reds team won, 2-1, on a Johnny Bench walk-off homer off Mets
starter Tom Seaver, and their lineup also included Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey…in Game 2, the Rays were outhit, 10-
4, and became the first team to win a postseason game while allowing
double-digit hits and recording 4 hits (or fewer) since the Giants in Game
4 of the 2002 NLCS vs. STL (Giants won 4-3 despite being outhit, 12-4).
— The Rays have been outhit, 19-10, this series…according to the Elias
Sports Bureau, the Rays are the eighth team to be outhit in each of
the first 2 games of a postseason series and win both, done most recently by the Cardinals in the 2013 NLCS…the Rays are the second
team to be outhit by three (or more) in each of the first 2 games of
a playoff series, both wins, following the 2005 Cardinals (NLDS).
— Game 2 was the first time the Rays won a postseason game when
being outhit by six (or more)…the last team to do that was the Blue
Jays in Game 2 of the 2016 ALDS vs. TEX (won 5-3, outhit 13-6).
— Game 2 was the third time the Rays won a postseason game on
4 hits (or fewer) and the previous occurrences all came in 2020:
Game 5 of the Division Series and Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
— The Rays have 3 wins this postseason when striking out 13 times
(or more), the most for a team in a single postseason in major league
history…prior to this season, the Rays had never won a postseason
game on 13 SO (or more)…all three of these wins have come in succession: Game 5 vs. NYY, Game 1 vs. HOU and Game 2 vs. HOU.
— The Rays are 5-0 in the postseason when scoring first, after going a
major-league-best 25-6 (.806) when doing so in the regular season.
— The Rays are batting .182 (8-for-44) with RISP this postseason, including .100 (2-for-20) in the last 4 games (since ALDS Game 4).

RAYS vs. ASTROS—The series opener was the first game between these
two clubs since Oct 10, 2019, when the Astros ended the Rays season in
Game 5 of the Division Series…the Rays-Astros and Dodgers-Braves series mark the first time there has been a League Championship Series
between teams that did not face each other in the regular season…this
series represents the largest difference in winning pct. between teams
meeting in League Championship Series history…the Rays went an AL-best 40-20 (.667) in the regular season, while the Astros were the No. 6
seed with the 8th-best record at 29-31 (.483)…the largest difference prior
to this series was in 1998 between the Yankees (.704) and Indians (.549).
— In the regular season, the Rays went 21-9 (.700) against teams that
finished .500 or better, best in the majors…the Astros went 4-13.
— The Rays have not lost a season series to the Astros since 2008, going 8-0-1 since…the Rays went 4-3 in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and the
Astros finished with 101, 103 and 107 wins in those seasons…according to Stats LLC, the Rays were the first team in major league
history to win the season series in three straight years against an
opponent who finished with 100 wins in each of those seasons.
— According to Stats LLC, this is the fifth time two teams have met
in the League Championship Series a season after meeting in the
Division Series (all occurring in the AL)…in three of the other four
times, the team that lost the ALDS won the next season’s ALCS.


Altuve’s 2 early throwing errors doom Astros in ALCS Game 2 — MLB | NBC Sports

Altuve’s two throwing errors were the lowlight of Houston’s 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the ALCS.

Altuve’s 2 early throwing errors doom Astros in ALCS Game 2 — MLB | NBC Sports

Rays Take Page Out Of Red Sox’s Book, Troll Yankees By Blasting ‘New York, New York’ — NESN.com

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gKOOEr6ESv0%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Sign In The Tampa Bay Rays are dunking on the New York Yankees in a myriad of ways. In the deciding game of the American League East foes’ division series matchup, Mike Brosseau got his revenge on Aroldis Chapman (refresher on that feud if you need it here) by hitting a series-clinching home run. But…

Rays Take Page Out Of Red Sox’s Book, Troll Yankees By Blasting ‘New York, New York’ — NESN.com

The Tampa Bay Rays are dunking on the New York Yankees in a myriad of ways.

In the deciding game of the American League East foes’ division series matchup, Mike Brosseau got his revenge on Aroldis Chapman (refresher on that feud if you need it here) by hitting a series-clinching home run.

But the fun didn’t stop there for the Rays.

After the win, part of Tampa’s celebration was trolling Aaron Judge and the yankees by blasting, what else, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”

Of course, the “New York, New York” fiasco actually dates back to 2018. After Game 2 of the Yankees’ ALDS victory against the Boston Red Sox to tie the series at one game apiece, Judge walked through the concourse of Fenway Park blasting the song.

The Yankees wouldn’t win a game the rest of the series, and after clinching, the Red Sox made sure to play that song as loud as they could in the locker room at Yankee Stadium.

So, Red Sox fans will be relieved to know the Rays are keeping the tradition alive.

Blue Jays have their greatest strength sapped in Game 1 loss to Rays — The Latest News

[ad_1] Before Rays right-hander Nick Anderson entered Game 1 of the AL wild card round on Tuesday, the typically prolific Blue Jays lineup managed just two hits and whiffed 10 times through 6 1/3 innings. With runners on first and second in the seventh, Anderson jammed Teoscar Hernandez with a two-strike fastball, forcing a pop […]

Blue Jays have their greatest strength sapped in Game 1 loss to Rays — The Latest News

Earlier than Rays right-hander Nick Anderson entered Recreation 1 of the AL wild card spherical on Tuesday, the usually prolific Blue Jays lineup managed simply two hits and whiffed 10 occasions via 6 1/3 innings.

With runners on first and second within the seventh, Anderson jammed Teoscar Hernandez with a two-strike fastball, forcing a come out, and retired Joe Panik through line out. Anderson labored round a pair of hits the following body, permitting one run, to arrange teammate Peter Fairbanks for his first save of the season.

In limiting harm, Anderson preserved among the finest staff pitching performances towards the potent Blue Jays in 2020. Toronto averaged greater than 5 runs per recreation this 12 months earlier than shedding 3-1 in Recreation 1. Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

Toronto now faces elimination as a result of its offense disappeared, not as a result of the employees it frightened could be inadequate didn’t carry out.

MORE: MLB playoff predictions

The Blue Jays are poised to be offensive juggernauts for a few years, largely due to Cavan Biggio (116 profession OPS+), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (109 profession OPS+) and Bo Bichette (137 profession OPS+) on the high of their order. The younger trio will not hit free company till 2026. Complementary mashers Randal Grichuk (106 profession OPS+), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (123 profession OPS+) and Hernandez (114 profession OPS+) are beneath contract till not less than 2024.

However the group’s first go at October baseball Tuesday went poorly and, barring a fast turnaround on this best-of-3 sequence, its postseason debut will likely be short-lived.

Whereas some Blue Jays followers blamed supervisor Charlie Montoyo for making too many pitching adjustments in Recreation 1, the mixture of Matt Shoemaker and 4 relievers allowed solely 4 hits and stored the competition shut. The highest 4 spots in Toronto’s order, in the meantime, struck out eight occasions and went 1 for 13.

The Rays current a tricky impediment for Blue Jays batters, maybe jittery on a stage they weren’t supposed to achieve so quickly. Snell is without doubt one of the high left-handed aces in MLB, and projected Recreation 2 starter Tyler Glasnow will be equally efficient at getting hitters to chase pitches out of the strike zone. Tampa Bay’s bullpen is loaded with rocket arms.

Plus, because the No. 8 seed within the AL, it was at all times going to be a problem for Toronto to advance.

Worst-case situation, the Blue Jays’ batch of proficient however inexperienced hitters will depart a busy 2020 having internalized the sensation of being within the playoffs. Whatever the Recreation 2 outcome and a possible Recreation 3, then, the membership can take solace in gaining that psychological edge, even when it might be mystifying for its bats to cease producing after being dependable all year long.

The Rays just keep winning — Tampa Bay Pro Sports

Just win baby. That seems to the Rays mantra as they play their way through the 60 game season. It doesn’t seem to matter who goes down with an injury, its the next man up philosophy, and the Rays just keep winning. Josh Fleming became the first Rays pitcher in history to win his first […] first three consecutive starts as he got the decision in the Rays 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

The Rays just keep winning — Tampa Bay Pro Sports

Giants designate Pence for assignment, get Rays’ Robertson — MLB | NBC Sports

The San Francisco Giants cut ties with outfielder Hunter Pence, which ends a second stint with the fan favorite that didn’t go nearly as well as his first.

Giants designate Pence for assignment, get Rays’ Robertson — MLB | NBC Sports

Giants designate Pence for assignment, get Rays’ Robertson

Associated PressAug 23, 2020, 4:52 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants cut ties with outfielder Hunter Pence on Sunday, ending a second stint with the fan favorite that didn’t go nearly as well as his first.

Pence, 37, was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for utility man Daniel Robertson, who was acquired earlier in the day from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash or a player to be named later.

Pence was a fiery emotional leader for the Giants from 2012-2018, helping anchor teams that won the World Series in 2012 and 2014.

After making the All-Star team with Texas last season, he returned to San Francisco in February on a one-year, $3 million contract but hit just .096 with two homers and six RBI in 17 games.

Robertson will report to the Giants’ alternate training site in Sacramento. The team also reinstated reliever Sam Coonrod from the 10-day injured list.

Ryu start wasted for Blue Jays as Rays walk it off in the 10th — Toronto Sun

It didn’t take long for Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Blue Jays teammates to hurdle whatever language barrier existed between them and the South Korean southpaw. Read More

Ryu start wasted for Blue Jays as Rays walk it off in the 10th — Toronto Sun

BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 5 (10): Postgame notes.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS 6, TAMPA BAY RAYS 5
Friday, August 21, 2020  Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Win: Hatch (1-1) Loss: Loup (3-1) Save: Romano (1)
First Pitch: 6:42 p.m. Temps: 72-in, 79-out Attendance: — Time of Game: 3:31

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES
THE WIN—The Blue Jays have won six consecutive games, extending
their season high and their longest streak since July 2-8, 2016 (7)…are a
season-high 2 games over .500, their most since the end of play on May
12, 2018 (21-19)…are 2.5 GB of the Rays and Yankees in the division.
— Improved to 3-4 in extras and 7-3 in 1-run games this season.
— During their 6-game winning streak, the Blue Jays are outscoring
opponents, 38-26, batting .290/.350/.500 and have hit 11 HR…they
have multiple homers in five of their last 6 games and have 27 HR
in their last 10 games (starting with their 7-HR game on Aug 12).
— This was the fourth game in Blue Jays history that both teams had
a least a 5-game winning streak, and the Blue Jays improved to 3-1
in those games (also won on May 16, 2011 and May 1, 1985).
— The Blue Jays won all three series openers against the Rays.
MATT SHOEMAKER—Yielded three 1-out hits and a walk in the 1st inning but escaped with just 1 run allowed and settled in to retire 13 of
his last 14 BF…was the beneficiary of a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. assist to nab
Yandy Díaz attempting to score from 1st base on a Ji-Man Choi double in
the 1st…the exit velocity on his 2 HR allowed were 104.8 mph and 103.3
mph, according to StatCast, while the other 2 hits were registered at 67.3
mph and 69.9 mph…has a 2.56 ERA (38.2-IP, 11-ER) in seven starts against
the Rays…marked his third time this season allowing multiple homers.
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.—His 2nd-inning homer left the bat at an
estimated speed of 115.9 mph, according to StatCast…the three-hardest
hit home runs by the Blue Jays in the StatCast era (since 2015) have all
been in the last 10 days: Rowdy Tellez (117.4) on Thurs vs. PHI, Teoscar
Hernández (115.9) on Aug 12 vs. MIA and Guerrero tonight…marked the
hardest-hit homer and the 6th-hardest batted ball of his career.
— The homer had a launch angle of 16°, the lowest on a homer in his
career… .was the lowest on a homer in the majors (excluding inside-the-park) since ARI Ketel Marte on July 29, 2019 at MIA (15°).
TEOSCAR HERNÁNDEZ—His 9 HR through 24 games are the 2nd-most
by a Blue Jay in club history, behind Carlos Delgado (10) in 2001…is batting .357 (10-for-28) with 3 HR against the Rays this season.
CAVAN BIGGIO—Hit a go-ahead RBI double in the 10th inning, his first career extra-innings hit and RBI and only his second career go-ahead RBI
in the 8th inning or later…has recorded a hit in 10 consecutive games
against the Rays, batting .359 (14-for-39) over that stretch.
JORDAN ROMANO—Recorded his first career save.

HOME RUNS

Tm. Batter # Distance Type Field Count Pitcher Inn. Score
TB Brandon Lowe 9 404 ft. solo right field 1-1 Matt Shoemaker 1st 1-0, TB
TOR Teoscar Hernández 9 427 ft. solo left-center 0-1 Ryan Yarbrough 2nd 1-1
TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4 390 ft. solo left field 1-0 Ryan Yarbrough 2nd 2-1, TOR
TB Yandy Díaz 2 426 ft. solo left-center 2-0 Matt Shoemaker 3rd 4-2, TOR


TOMORROW’S PROBABLE PITCHERS

RH Aaron Slegers (0-0, 11.25) vs. LH Hyun Jin Ryu (2-1, 3.46)
Broadcast: FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM, WGES 680 AM (Sp.)

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES

THE LOSS—The Rays snapped a 5-game winning streak, which was one
shy of matching their season high…they lost for only the second time in
their last 13 games, and fell to 2-2 in extra-inning games and 5-3 in 1-run
games this season…at 17-10, they are tied with the Yankees (16-9) for 1st
place in the AL East (pct. points behind)…with the loss, the Rays snapped
their best 12-game stretch (11-1) since Aug 29–Sep 10, 2019 (11-1) and failed
to match the best 13-game stretch in club history (last July 6-22, 2013).
— The Rays have allowed 5 runs (or more) seven times in 11 games
since the start of the last road trip…they have allowed 35 HR this
season, their most through the first 27 games since 2007 (37).
— The Rays have allowed 13 HR in 7 games against the Blue Jays.
— The Rays have hit multiple homers in six consecutive games…the
club record is seven straight (2x-last July 27–Aug 4, 2019).
— The Rays began a 7-game homestand and dropped to 8-4 at home
this season and 23-6 (.793) at Tropicana Field since Aug 21, 2019.
— The Rays trailed 4-1 but tied it in the 6th before losing in extras…
failed to record their 10th come-from-behind win this season.
— The Rays lost all three series openers against the Blue Jays.
RYAN YARBROUGH—Matched season-highs with 6.1 IP and 6 SO but extended his career-long winless streak to 14 games, going 0-6 with a 5.03
ERA (73.1-IP, 41-ER) over that stretch…struck out all 3 BF in the 1st inning
but allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, including back-to-back homers, in the 2nd
before settling down to retire 11 of his next 13 BF, including a 5-pitch 4th…
allowed a pair of singles to start the 7th then struck out Santiago Espinal,
his last batter faced…allowed consecutive homers for the second time in
his career, following June 16, 2018 at NYY (5th inning, Giancarlo Stanton
and Gary Sánchez)…remains winless in his last 11 apps (9 starts) at Tropicana Field, going 0-4 with a 5.03 ERA (59-IP, 33-ER) over that stretch.
— Pitched into the 7th inning for the second time this season, following July 30 at ATL (6.1 IP)—no other Rays starter has done so once.
— In the 1st inning, struck out the side for only the third time in his
career and the first time since Aug 20, 2018 vs. KC (4th inning).
— Threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of 27 BF (70.4 pct.) and has thrown
first-pitch strikes to 68.2 pct. (90 of 132) of batters faced this season.
— Allowed nine batted balls with an exit velocity of 95+ mph—entered the game with the 5th-lowest avg. exit velocity in the majors.
BRANDON LOWE—Has 6 HR in his last 9 games (8 starts) and 9 HR in
his last 19 games…has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, batting .386
(17-for-44) with 7 HR and 15 RBI over that stretch…his 9 HR through 27
games are tied for 4th in Rays history and the most since Carlos Peña (11)
in 2009…batting .478 (12-for-27) with 3 HR this season against Toronto.
YANDY DÍAZ—Has homered in consecutive games for the second time
in his career, also doing so July 16-18, 2019 at NYY…is batting .390 (16-for41) with 2 HR and 12 RBI in his last 11 games…reached base in all 5 PA, the
second time in his career he reached five times (or more) without recording an out, following Aug 24, 2017 vs. BOS (with CLE).
JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ—His pinch-hit, 2-run double tied the game in the 6th
inning, his first game-tying or go-ahead RBI since a 2-run double on Sep
25, 2019 at ARI (with STL)…is batting .319 (29-for-91) in his career as a
pinch-hitter, the 3rd-best average in the majors since 2016 (min. 50 AB).

RAYS 4, BLUE JAYS 1: Postgame notes.

TAMPA BAY RAYS 4, TORONTO BLUE JAYS 1

Saturday, July 25, 2020  Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Win: Anderson (1-0) Loss: Gaviglio (0-1) Save: Drake (1)

First Pitch: 3:10 p.m.Temps: 72-in, 90-out Attendance: — Time of Game: 2:47

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES

THE WIN—The Rays scored 3 runs in the 8th inning, breaking a 1-1 tie and recording their first win of the season…through the first 2 games this series, the Rays have scored 4 runs in 6.1 innings against the Blue Jays bullpen…last season the Rays won 20 games in their last at-bat, and went 11-8 in games when they were tied through 7 innings. The Rays are batting .125 (2-for-16) with RISP this season and were 0-for-4 with RISP tonight before Brandon Lowe’s go-ahead triple. Over the last two seasons, the Rays are 14-7 against the Blue Jays (9-3 at home, 5-4 on the road)…the Rays are 212-180 (.541) all-time against the Blue Jays, their most win against any opponent.

RYAN YARBROUGH—Made the fourth scoreless start of his career, following Aug 17, 2019 vs. DET (6.1 IP), Aug 11, 2019 at SEA (8.2 IP) and July 20, 2019 vs. CWS…it was the third time he made a scoreless start and took no decision, leaving after 5.1 IP in a scoreless tie…got out of his bases-load-ed jam in a 21-pitch 4th inning; also had a 7-pitch 2nd and 9-pitch 5th. Has a 2.14 ERA (42-IP, 10-ER) in 10 career apps (3 starts) against the Blue Jays, including a 1.95 ERA (27.2-IP, 6-ER) in 6 apps (2 starts) against them at Tropicana Field…remains 4-0 vs. TOR at home. Despite the scoreless outing, remains winless (0-3) in his last 9 apps (all starts) since Aug 17, 2019, the longest streak of his career. Has yielded 2 BB (or fewer) in 18 consecutive starts since June 11, 2018, the 3rd-longest streak in club history (excluding openers). Made his third straight Opening Day roster, all with the Rays, and his first as a regular member of the starting rotation.

BRANDON LOWE—Delivered a go-ahead, 2-run triple in the 8th inning, the fifth triple of his career and first since June 25, 2019 at MIN…marked the third time in his career he recorded a go-ahead hit in the 8th inning or later, following May 2, 2019 at KC (9th-inning homer) and May 17, 2019 at NYY (8th-inning double)…was the first time the Rays hit a go-ahead triple that late in a game since Denard Span on Opening Day 2018 vs. BOS. Entering tonight’s game, he was 0-for-9 lifetime against Sam Gavi-glio…came around to score on a 8th-inning balk by Gaviglio.

NICK ANDERSON—Improved to 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA (22.2-IP, 5-ER) since the trade to the Rays, after going 2-4 with a 3.92 ERA with Miami…did not record a strikeout for the third time in 24 outings with the Rays.

OLIVER DRAKE—Recorded the fourth save of his career, following Sep 7, 2019 vs. TOR, July 15, 2019 at NYY and June 15, 2017 at STL (with MIL)…pitched 2 games for the Blue Jays in 2018 and was traded by them to the Rays in exchange for cash considerations on Jan 4, 2019.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES

THE LOSS—The Blue Jays dropped the second game of their season-opening 3-game series, setting up a rubber match for 1:10 p.m. tomorrow…the Blue Jays allowed 3 runs in the 8th inning and fell to 7-11 since the start of the 2019 season when they were tied through 7 innings…were held to 1 run (or fewer) for the first time since being shut out on Sep 7, 2019 at TB, with their only run coming on a 7th-inning solo homer. Fell to 7-14 (.333) over the last two seasons against the Rays and 13-27 (.325) against them since the beginning of the 2018 season, the 4th-lowest winning pct. vs. TB in the majors over that stretch. ÊFell to 3-9 in their last 12 games at Tropicana Field and are 77-117 (.397) all-time in St. Petersburg, worst in baseball (min. 50 games).

CAVAN BIGGIO—Collected a pair of singles to extend his on-base streak to 31 games dating back to Aug 23, 2019, the longest active streak in base-ball…marks the longest streak by a Toronto hitter since José Bautista reached base safely in 33 consecutive games from Aug 7–Sep 26, 2016.

Over his 31 game on-base streak, is batting .318 (35-for-110) with 7 HR and 20 RBI…has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games, batting .352 (19-for-54) with 4 HR, 13 RBI and 13 runs over that stretch.

MATT SHOEMAKER—Did not factor in the decision in his first start since April 20, 2019 at OAK, when he suffered a left ACL and medial miniscus injury…allowed back-to-back singles with 1 out in the 1st in-ning but not another hit until Ji-Man Choi doubled in the 6th…marked his 10th consecutive start allowing 5 hits (or fewer)…was in line for the loss until Reese McGuire hit a game-tying homer in the 7th inning. Has a 1.82 ERA (26.2-IP, 6-ER) in his career against the Rays…min. 5 starts, this is the 4th-best mark all-time against the Rays behind Chuck Finley (1.12), Yu Darvish (1.54) and James Shields (1.67).ÊHas allowed 5 hits (or fewer) in four of his 5 starts against the Rays, while he has never allowed more than 3 runs against them.ÊHas a 1.90 ERA (23.2-IP, 5-ER) in 4 starts at Tropicana Field.ÊEach of his last 4 starts have come on the road, since April 9, 2019 at BOS, going 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA (20.2-IP, 6-ER) over that stretch.

REESE McGUIRE—Hit a game-tying solo homer off Pete Fairbanks in the 7th inning, his eighth career homer…three of those have been game-tying homers in the 7th inning (or later), following Aug 17, 2019 vs. SEA (off Anthony Bass) and Aug 3, 2019 at BAL (off Richard Bleier).

TEOSCAR HERNANDEZ—Went 0-for-4 to snap a 10-game hit streak.

LINE SCORE

123456789 RHELOB

Toronto (1-1)000000100-1809

Tampa Bay (1-1)00000103x-4504

HOME RUNSTm.Batter#DistanceTypeFieldCountPitcherInn.Score

TORReese McGuire1379 ft.soloright1-1Pete Fairbanks7th1-1

TOMORROW’S PROBABLE PITCHERS & GAME INFOLH Blake Snell (6-8, 4.29 in 2019) vs. TBD

Broadcast: FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 95.3 FM, WMGG 96.1 FMFirst Pitch: 1:10 p.m. Game 4 Opens: 10:10 a.m.