Globe Life Field has been a house of horrors for the Rays in recent years, so walking away from this four-game road set with a split should be seen as a blessing. The Rays are still four games up on the Yankees in the race for the AL East, and could clinch a postseason berth by the middle of next week. So why do I leave this series with such a bitter taste in my mouth?
The pitching staff took some hits this weekend, with IL stints for Shane McClanahan, Garrett Cleavinger, and Manuel Rodriguez announced.
Bryan Baker left Friday’s game, although it was said he was dealing with an illness, but did not pitch for the rest of the weekend. To deal with these injuries, the Rays pitching depth will be put to the test for the remainder of the regular season, and potentially into October.
Well, when the Rays took a 4-0 lead when they batted around in the second, it seemed they might be cruising into a series victory. They got contributions from hitters at the bottom of the lineup like Victor Mesa Jr. and Nick Fortes, with Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda also coming through with timely hits to build their lead.
The lead would evaporate in the fourth when the Rangers tied it at five.
On Sunday, we saw a mixed bag from a parade of arms. Ian Seymour got the start and didn’t have his normal strikeout stuff, and didn’t record an out in the fourth before being pulled.
Steven Matz gave up two runs in his lone inning of work.
We did see pitching prospect Ty Johnson’s MLB debut. He was ranked 14th in the Rays system by Fangraphs, and has pitched as a starter and reliever for AAA Durham this season. He went one inning, allowing no runs on a walk and two strikeouts. There’s a clearing for him to lock down a role on the staff this month.
All in all, this result isn’t the most disappointing. You scored six runs on the road, saw a couple of rough outings from relievers you won’t rely on much in high leverage, and got to see Johnson take the mound for the first time. It’s a good time for an off day, where the team will be getting ready for their three-game series in Atlanta against the Braves.
