New York Yankees-Tampa Bay Rays Series Preview

The New York Yankees head to the Trop to continue their eight game roadtrip with a three game weekend series against the AL East doormat Tampa Bay Rays.

One of only four American League clubs with no real playoff aspirations remaining coming into the second half, the Tampa Bay Rays come into Thursday night with the second worst record in the league at 39-61, 19 games back in the otherwise tight AL East. They are 12.5 back from the fourth place Yankees.

Coming into the season, the Rays looked like sneaky potential contenders. A combination of injuries and underperformance have derailed those hopes. Their rotation, expected by many to be the strength of the team and the class of the American League, has instead been a disaster.

Starting pitchers Chris Archer (4.42 ERA), Jake Odorizzi (4.10 ERA), Drew Smyly (5.42 ERA), and Matt Moore (4.31) have all failed to live up to their immense potential, and instead been more or less mediocre. 

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As bad as the pitching has been, the offense has been even worse. Their 395 runs scored coming into Thursday ranks 27th in MLB. None of the big bats they brought in this offseason has worked out with the exception of platoon utilityman Steve Pearce. Somewhat amazingly, they may have just been better keeping James Loney.

The Yankees currently lead the season series against the Rays 4-2. They played a three game set at the end of April and one at the end of May, and the Yankees took both series two games to one.

Scheduled Matchups

Friday at 7:10 pm ET- Ivan Nova vs. Jake Odorizzi

Saturday at 6:10 pm ET- Nathan Eovaldi vs. Drew Smyly

Sunday at 1:10 pm ET- Michael Pineda vs. Chris Archer

Next: Injury Update on Top Pitching Prospect James Kaprielian

Rays “Go-To” Starting Lineup (Courtesy of Roster Resource)

1. Logan Forsythe– 2B (117 wRC+) Proving that his 2015 breakout was no fluke, despite missing a month with shoulder injury.
2. Brad Miller– SS (104 wRC+) Bat is solid for middle infielder, but should not be allowed anywhere near the shortstop position (-38.9 UZR/150)
3. Evan Longoria– 3B (135 wRC+) Leads Rays position players with four WAR, more than double the total of second ranked Steve Pearce (1.9 fWAR).
4. Logan Morrison– 1B (85 wRC+) Only has one season above replacement level since 2012.
5. Steven Souza– RF (89 wRC+) Hitting .188/.224/.234 since coming off DL July 2nd.
6. Corey Dickerson– DH (93 wRC+) Still plenty of pop, but .281 OBP unacceptable for a DH.
7. Brandon Guyer– LF (110 wRC+) Defensive numbers have taken a huge dive, offsetting his above-average production at the plate.
8. Kevin Kiermaier– CF (90 wRC+) Returned in mid-July after missing two months with a broken hand.
9. Luke Maile– C (30 wRC+) Continuing the distinguished tradition of awful Rays catchers