The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to ignite their offense after a slow start against the Oakland Athletics in their recent series. Despite only scoring one run on five hits in the first two games, the Rays managed to earn a split heading into their Wednesday night matchup against the A’s.
In the first game of the series, the Rays were held to just two hits in a 3-0 loss. However, they bounced back in the second game with a 1-0 victory. Shane Baz delivered an impressive pitching performance, throwing a career-high 7 2/3 innings to secure his first win since July 3, 2022. Jose Siri also made a significant impact by hitting his 15th home run of the season, breaking an 0-for-21 drought.
This win marked the fourth victory in five games for the Rays, who have been on a hot streak lately. Prior to their series against the A’s, they scored 19 runs in a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. The team is now embarking on a 10-game road trip that includes stops in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers and Seattle.
Despite the limited offense in the series against Oakland, Yandy Diaz stood out with a double and single in the second game. However, it was Baz’s stellar pitching performance that stole the spotlight. Manager Kevin Cash praised Baz for his near-perfect outing, as he allowed only three hits and no runs against a tough A’s lineup.
Oakland starter Joey Estes also had a solid performance, matching Baz’s efforts by allowing only three hits over 7 2/3 innings. However, it was Siri’s timely home run in the eighth inning that made the difference in the game. A single mistake by Estes resulted in the only run of the game, ultimately leading to the A’s defeat.
Looking ahead to the next game, right-hander Ryan Pepiot will make his second start for the Rays since returning from a knee infection. Pepiot, who has a 6-5 record with a 3.69 ERA, will face off against rookie right-hander Mitch Spence (7-8, 4.64) of the A’s. Pepiot has had success against the A’s in the past, with a 0-0 record and a 3.18 ERA in one career start against them.
In his most recent outing, Pepiot delivered a solid performance despite receiving a no-decision. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a victory over the Diamondbacks. Pepiot discussed his recent health scare, which landed him in the hospital for 60 hours due to a severe knee infection from a suspected spider bite.
On the other side, Spence has struggled in his recent starts, going 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA in August. However, he had a strong outing against the Rays earlier in the season, allowing just one hit and a walk over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a victory at Tropicana Field.
As the Rays look to ignite their offense and continue their winning streak, they will need to capitalize on opportunities against the A’s pitching staff. With Pepiot back on the mound and the lineup showing signs of life, Tampa Bay is poised to come out on top in the series finale.
Key Matchups to Watch
One key matchup to watch in the upcoming game is how the Rays’ offense fares against Spence. Despite his recent struggles, Spence has shown the ability to shut down opposing hitters, as evidenced by his dominant performance against the Rays earlier in the season. The Tampa Bay lineup will need to make adjustments and find ways to generate runs against the rookie right-hander.
Another important matchup to monitor is Pepiot’s performance against the A’s lineup. With his recent health scare behind him, Pepiot will look to build on his solid outing against the Diamondbacks and shut down the Oakland offense. The Rays will rely on Pepiot to deliver a quality start and keep the A’s hitters at bay.
Keys to Victory for the Rays
In order to secure a series win against the A’s, the Rays will need to focus on a few key areas. First and foremost, the offense must come alive and provide run support for the pitching staff. With players like Diaz, Siri, and others capable of driving in runs, the Rays have the potential to break out offensively.
On the pitching side, Pepiot will need to continue his strong performance and keep the A’s hitters off balance. With his arsenal of pitches and ability to command the strike zone, Pepiot has the tools to shut down opposing lineups. The Rays will also need to rely on their bullpen to close out the game and secure the victory.
Defensively, the Rays must play sound fundamental baseball and limit mistakes in the field. By making routine plays and executing defensively, Tampa Bay can prevent extra opportunities for the A’s and maintain the momentum in the game.
Final Thoughts
As the Rays look to ignite their offense and secure a series win against the A’s, they will need to stay focused and execute in all facets of the game. With Pepiot on the mound and the lineup showing signs of life, Tampa Bay has a good chance to come out on top in the series finale. By capitalizing on key matchups and playing solid baseball, the Rays can continue their winning ways and build momentum heading into the rest of the season.
