Game 120: Rays vs Baltimore Orioles — Pregame News and Notes
Updated 4:50 p.m. After a 9–2 win over the Orioles on Monday night, the Rays will look to continue their success against Baltimore on Tuesday. Tampa Bay (72–47) has won 12 of 13 meetings against the Orioles, who have dropped 12 straight games overall. The Rays now have a 3.5 game lead over Boston in the AL East.
Tampa Bay hit five homers last night, and now has 51 in the past 25 games, most in the American League over that stretch. The Rays also have scored eight runs or more eight times in the past ten games. Yandy Diaz is back in the lineup after missing three games with an injured left thumb.
Arozarena LF
Cruz DH
Franco SS
Diaz 3B
Margot RF
Lowe 2B
Zunino C
Luplow 1B
Kiermaier CF
While the Rays have Diaz back in the lineup, Kevin Cash says Ryan Yarbrough will come of the COVID-19 IL and pitch tomorrow, either s a starter or in a bulk role. Cash says Yarbrough has been playing catch and has thrown off a mound.
Meanwhile, the Rays have made another set of roster moves. Tampa Bay was carrying only 11 pitchers, so Shawn Armstrong was selected from Durham. Armstrong was acquired from Baltimore at the trading deadline while off the 40-man roster. Since joining the Bulls, Armstrong has allowed three runs in 5.2 innings, while walking one and striking out seven. To make room the on the 26-man roster, Mike Brosseau was optioned to Durham, while Kevin Padlo was designated for assignment to create 40-man roster space.
Drew Rasmussen (1–0 3.81 with the Rays, 1–1 3.98 overall) will make his second start since Yarbrough went on the COVID-19 IL. Rasmussen allowed one run in four innings his last time out against Boston at Fenway Park. Rasmussen has faced Baltimore twice this year, allowing one run in 4.1 innings of work.
Here’s the lineup he’ll face. Ryan Mountcastle has come off the IL, with Ryan McKenna optioned to Norfolk:
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Mullins CF
Urias 2B
Santander RF
Mountcastle 1B
Hays LF
Stewart DH
Severino C
Franco 3B
Mateo SS
John Means (5–4 3.21) will get the ball for Baltimore. Means has made five starts since coming off the injured list, and has allowed four runs or more in three of them. Means gave up six runs in 4.1 innings his last time out against Detroit. Means is facing Tampa Bay for the fourth time this season and so far he’s given up 10 runs in 16.1 innings.
On the injury front, Chris Archer is expected to pitch today for Durham. Archer could get stretched out to four innings or 60 pitches as he gets closer to joining Tampa Bay. Cash says Ryan Thompson and J.P. Feyereisen are to pitch on Wednesday for the Bulls after throwing a scoreless inning apiece in the Florida Complex League.
Here’s the rest of the Rays minor league notes, with all of the full season affiliates off on Monday:
Durham (57–32) hosts Marlins affiliate Jacksonville.
Montgomery (50–39) is home to face the Mississippi Braves.
Bowling Green (63–27) takes on the Rome Braves in Kentucky.
Charleston (63–26) will face Royals affiliate Columbia.
Rays (24–11) downed the Orioles 10–3 and 4–0.
Coverage on the Rays Radio Network begins at 6:30 p.m. and Dave and Andy will have the call with first pitch at 7:10.
