ninety-three games down, sixty-nine to go.
The Tampa Bay Rays managed to stave off a series sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers and must now pivot their attention to the Boston Red Sox as they head to BeanTown for a pivotal four game set.
After a prolonged stretch as the best team in baseball, the Rays have been floundering having dropped their past four series in a row. Despite that, the Rays are seven games over .500 with a 50-43 record and currently control the second Wild Card spot with a 1.5 game lead over the 3rd place team. The Toronto Blue Jays finally had their winning streak snapped, allowing the Rays to move to four games back in the division.
The Boston Red Sox meanwhile have a winning streak of their own, having won their past six games and eight of their past 10 to improve to 49-45 on the season and tied with the Seattle Mariners for the 3rd Wild Card spot. This four game series with the Rays could allow the Red Sox to leap over the Rays in the standings or for the Rays bury the Red Sox playoff hopes.
Boston has been led this year by the breakout of Ceddanne Rafaela, who enters play hitting .264/.309/.465 with 12 HR, registering a 109 wRC+ while his above-average defense has provided him with a team leading 3.0 fWAR. Alex Bregman has been the team’s top offensive performer but has been on the Injured List since May 24th, although there is a possibility of him being activated for the series against Tampa Bay. Carlos Narvaez is also a name to watch in the series, along with Wilyer Abreu, Romy Gonzalez, and former #1 prospect Roman Anthony.
Pitching wise, Garrett Crochet has been incredible and the Rays will face him this weekend. The talented southpaw has a 2.39 ERA | 2.50 FIP with a 31.3 K% & 7.0 BB% over 120 1⁄3 IP. Aroldis Chapman is having an excellent season as the Red Sox closer as well.
Frivolities
- The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Red Sox:
- Wade Boggs
- Manny Ramirez
- Carl Crawford
- Johnny Damon
- David Price
- The Rays best player offensively against the Red Sox all-time (min. 25 PA):
Dan Johnson: .360/.448/.840 with 4 HR over 29 PA.
The next four are Hunter Renfroe, Paul Sorrento, Travis d’Arnaud, and Wilson Ramos - The Rays most previous transacation with the Red Sox:
— 3/27/24: Rays sell contract of Naoyuki Uwasawa to the Red Sox - The Rays first transaction with the Red Sox
— 7/21/99: Rays trade Julio Santana to the Red Sox for a PTBNL (Will Silverthorn)
Probable pitchers are projected by FanGraphs
GAME ONE
Thursday, July 10th
7:10 pm EDT
RHP Taj Bradley vs RHP Walker Buehler
GAME TWO
Friday, July 11th
7:10 pm EDT
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs RHP Hunter Dobbins
GAME THREE
Saturday, July 12th
4:10 pm EDT
RHP Shane Baz vs LHP Garrett Crochet
GAME FOUR
Sunday, July 13th
1:35 pm EDT
RHP Ryan Pepiot vs RHP Brayan Bello