TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
HOMER HAPPY IN CINCY — The Rays teed off for four home runs en route to a 10-0 shutout win over the Reds on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park…2B Taylor Walls (4-for-5, 3B, 2HR, 4RBI, 4R) delivered his first career multi-homer game while setting career highs in hits and RBI…Yandy Díaz (2-for-4, HR, 3RBI, R) and Randy Arozarena (2-for-5, HR, RBI, R) also homered for the Rays while Francisco Mejía (4-for-5, 2B, RBI, R) tallied a career-high-tying four hits (also 6/18/22 at BAL).
RHP Taj Bradley (3.0IP, H, ER, 2BB, SO) became the first player in AL history to strike out 8+ batters and earn a win in each of his first two career starts…he was followed by RHP Yonny Chirinos (2.2IP, H, 0R, BB, SO), who extended his scoreless inning streak to 15.0, tied for the fourth-longest active run in MLB.
Tampa Bay’s 15-3 mark is the best 18-game start in the majors since Boston in 2018 (16-2)…the Rays and 2018 Red Sox are the only clubs since 2004 to win 15 of their first 18 games in a season.
The win marked Tampa Bay’s third shutout victory by 10+ runs, matching the 1928 Philadelphia Athletics for most such wins through the first 18 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901).
CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP — Tampa Bay has hit a major league-best 41 home runs, second most through a team’s first 18 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901) behind the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (42HR)…last night, the Rays became the fourth team in MLB history (since 1901) to record four 4+ homer games within their first 18 games of a season, joining the 1956 Cincinnati Reds, 1994 Chicago White Sox and 2004 Chicago Cubs (4G each)…Tampa Bay had one 4+ homer game all of last season (6/21/22 vs. NYY).
Tampa Bay has homered in each of its first 18 games, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history (since 1901) behind only the 2019 Seattle Mariners’ 20-game run…the 18-game run matches the longest single-season home run streak in Rays history, also done 8/19-9/8, 2
- The current record for homers through 19 games is 44 HR, held by the 2000 Cardinals, followed by the 2019 Mariners (41HR).
GOOSE EGGS — The Rays have recorded a major league-leading five shutout wins this season, ahead of Milwaukee (4)…Tampa Bay is the first club with five shutouts within its first 18 games since Los Angeles-NL in 2021 (also 5)…since 1901, only three teams have produced more shutouts within their first 18 games: Detroit in 1945, Cleveland in 1966 and Texas in 1981 (6 each).
OFF THE WALLS — Taylor Walls collected a career-high four hits on Tuesday night vs. Cincinnati, including a pair of homers and one triple…became the third Rays hitter with multiple homers and a triple in the same game, joining Mike Zunino (2HR, 3B) on 9/7/21 at Boston and Rocco Baldelli (2HR, 3B) on 9/14/06 at New York-AL…Walls is the second major leaguer to accomplish the feat since the beginning of 2022, joining Boston’s Adam Duvall (4/1/23 vs. BAL).
Walls homered from both sides of the plate in the win, becoming the fourth player (fifth instance) in Rays history to do so in the same game, joining Ben Zobrist (4/13/14 at CIN), Willy Aybar (8/3/2009 vs. KC; 8/10/08 at SEA) and Geoff Blum (5/4/04 at TEX)…Walls is the sixth player in the expansion era (since 1961) to homer from both sides of the plate and hit a triple in the same game, and the first since CLE José Ramírez on 8/6/20 vs. CIN (Elias).
Min. 40 PA, Walls’ 1.158 OPS is third in MLB while his .730 slugging pct. ranks fourth.
LOWE’S HOME (RUN) IMPROVEMENT — After entering the season with two homers in 181 career AB (90.5 AB/HR), Josh Lowe has belted in 43 AB in 2023 (10.75 AB/HR)…Lowe has also seen improvements in his whiff rate (2023: 23.9%; 2022: 32.6%) and strikeout rate (2023: 17.4%; 2022: 33.3%) thus far compared to his performance last season.
Lowe is batting .414 (12-for-29) with 3 HR against breaking and offspeed pitches this season compared to .203 (16-for-79) with zero homers in 2022.
He has reached base safely in each of his last six games, slashing .400/.444/.840 (10-for-25) with two doubles, 3 HR and 8 RBI in that span… Lowe’s 1.284 OPS during that stretch (since 4/9) ranks second in the majors behind LAD Max Muncy (1.537) (min. 25PA).
DAY IN, DAY OUT — The Rays lead MLB in runs scored (125) while tying Minnesota for the fewest runs allowed (50)…Tampa Bay’s +75 run differential is second-best through the first 18 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901) behind only the 1905 New York Giants (+80)… in 2022, a +75 run differential would have ranked seventh in MLB over the entire season.
Since 1901, the current run differential record through 19 games is +79, done by the 1905 New York Giants, followed by the 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates (+77).
Tampa Bay’s 125 runs scored are its most through 18 games in club history, ahead of the 2010 Rays (107R)…the only other major league club since 2001 to reach that threshold through 18 games was Seattle in 2019 (126R).
The Rays’ 50 runs allowed are second-fewest through 18 games in club history, behind the 2019 team (43R).
ON THE MOUND — Tampa Bay’s 2.72 ERA is the second-best mark in the majors behind Minnesota (2.61)…this includes the best starter ERA (2.45) and sixth-best bullpen ERA (3.06)…Rays pitchers rank among MLB leaders in opponents’ OPS (1st, .559), opponents’ average (1st, .196), HR/9.0IP (1st, 0.45), WHIP (2nd, 1.05), fewest pitches per IP (2nd, 15.36), lowest average exit velocity (3rd, 87.6 mph) and first-pitch strike pct. (4th, 63.2%).
IN THE BOX — Rays hitters rank among MLB leaders in runs scored (1st, 125), OPS (1st, .905), slugging pct. (1st, .547), extra-base hits (1st, 78), total bases (1st, 337), batting average (2nd, .286) and hard-hit pct. (4th, 45.2%)…Tampa Bay’s four games with 10+ runs pace the majors…the Rays have pushed across 7+ runs in 11 of their 18 games.
RAYS AND REDLEGS — The Rays and Reds meet this afternoon for the finale of a three-game season series…with a win today, the Rays would secure their first series win in Cincinnati since winning two of three games from 4/11-13, 2014…would also mark Tampa Bay’s first winning streak over Cincinnati since 6/20-21, 2017 (2G).
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP DREW RASMUSSEN (2-1, 2.60)
RAS EFFECT — Pitching in his sixth big league season, Rasmussen is coming off a career year in his first season as a regular member of the Rays rotation…went 11-7 with a 2.84 ERA (146.0IP, 46ER) over 28 starts, holding opponents to a .222 average (121-for-545)…was originally acquired by the Rays along with RHP J.P. Feyereisen on 5/21/21 in exchange for SS Willy Adames and RHP Trevor Richards.
CUT AND DRY — After adding his cutter to his arsenal during the 2021 offseason, Rasmussen utilized the offering 32.8 pct. of the time in 2022, the ninth-highest rate in MLB (min. 1,500 total pitches)…per Baseball Savant, the pitch produced a 30.0 pct. whiff rate, second-best in the majors on any pitcher’s cutter behind HOU Luis Garcia (42.8%) (min. 700 cutters thrown).
Has thrown his cutter 35.1 pct. of the time through three starts this season, inducing a 39.1 percent whiff rate.
SHAKE IT OFF — Rasmussen took the loss on 4/14 at Toronto after allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts…the four walks set a career high and the eight hits allowed were his most since surrendering a career-high nine hits in a loss to Minnesota on 6/10/22.
Prior to his last outing, Rasmussen had four consecutive quality start dating back to 9/24/22, the longest streak of his career (prev. 2GS, 8/31-9/9, 2022).
ANYTHING DREW CAN DO — Rasmussen saw his 13.0 scoreless inning streak to start the season come to an end after allowing a lead-off homer to George Springer on 4/13 at Toronto …the 13.0 scoreless inning streak was the fourth longest by a Rays starting pitcher to open a season in club history, trailing only Mark Hendrickson (14.0IP, 2006), Jeffrey Springs (13.2IP, 2023) and Matt Moore (13.1IP, 2013)…Rasmussen’s streak was also the 10th longest by any pitcher to begin a season in Rays history (Elias).
Name Dates IP
Mark Hendrickson 4/6-27, 2006 14.0
Jeffrey Springs 4/2-14, 2023 13.2
Matt Moore 4/5-17, 2013 13.1
Drew Rasmussen 4/3-4/14 13.0
Collin McHugh 5/6-9/30, 2021 12.0
SEEING RED — He has two previous appearances vs. Cincinnati, both at Great American Ball Park…in a relief appearance on 9/21/20 as a member of the Brewers, he allowed four runs on three hits, a walk and two home runs with two strikeouts over 0.2 innings…Rasmussen started against the Reds last season and tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
FAMILIAR FOE — In 16 career appearances (2 starts) vs. NL Central opponents, Rasmussen is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA (23I.1P, 16ER)…last season, he made two starts and tossed 7.0 innings of two-run ball, allowing four walks with 10 strikeouts.
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
RED HOTS
• The Reds have activated from the Taxi Squad RHP Levi Stoudt (#58), who this afternoon will start in his Major League debut…following last night’s game, RHP Casey Legumina was optioned to Louisville.
• Tomorrow vs the Pirates at PNC Park, RHP Luke Weaver (right forearm tightness) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list to make his 2023 season and Reds debuts.
• Last night the Reds and RHP Hunter Greene agreed to a $53 million, 6-year contract extension through the 2028 season that included a $21
million option and $2 million buyout for 2029.
TODAY’S GAME
• Is Game 3 (1-1) of a 3-game series vs Dewayne Staats’ Rays and Game 7 (3-3) of a 7-game homestand that included a 2-2 series split with the
defending National League champion Phillies.
• Following this afternoon’s game the Reds will embark on a brief road trip to Pit for a 4-game weekend series vs the Pirates, then return to Great American Ball Park for a 3-game homestand vs the Rangers before heading out to the west coast to face Oak (3g) and SD (3g).
SERIES NOTES
• The Reds and Rays are meeting for the seventh time overall and for the second consecutive season.
• Last night’s 10-0 loss snapped the Reds’ 5-game winning streak vs the Rays dating back to the 2014 season…was TB’s first win here since 4/12/14 (1-0 win).
• The Reds are 14-6 all-time vs the Rays, including 3-0 here last season and 8-3 overall in Cincinnati.
• The Reds won 4 of the previous 6 series vs the Rays, including 3-game series sweeps in June 2003 at Tropicana Field, June 2005 at Great American Ball Park and July 2022 at GABP.
• From 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).
PIRATES UP NEXT…
• This weekend Reds will face the Pirates in a 4-game series at PNC Park.
• The Reds earned a 2-1 series win vs Pit in the series that opened this 2023 championship season.
• Beginning in 2021 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds are 14-8 vs Pit with a 134-78 advantage in runs scored… the Reds have won 22 of the last 41 games overall vs the Pirates, including 19 of the last 28 games vs Pit at GABP.
• The Reds went 14-29 at Pit’s PNC Park the previous 5 seasons, including an 11-game losing streak spanning 2018- 2019 and an 8-game losing streak there to begin the 2019 season.
…FOLLOWED BY THE RANGERS
• The Redlegs are 9-10 all-time vs the Rangers.
• Beginning Monday the Reds and Rangers will meet for the eighth time overall and for the first time since 2019, also at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds last played in Arlington in 2016.
LEADING OFF
• In the first inning, Reds batters rank second in the Major Leagues in batting average (.333, Atl .388) & on-base percentage (.413, NYY .417), sixth in slugging percentage (.530) and 10th in runs scored (12).
• When leading off the Reds’ half of the first inning, Jonathan India is hitting .429 (.529obp, .786slg, 6-14, 2bb, 2 2b, 1hr, 6r).
• India’s 16 runs scored are tied for fourth-most in the Major Leagues.
• India’s 6 runs scored in the first inning are tied for second-most in the Major Leagues (NYY’s Aaron Judge, 7r).
This Afternoon’s Pitcher – #58 Levi Stoudt, RHP
• Yesterday was added to the Taxi Squad…was activated today.
• This afternoon will make a spot start against the Rays in his Major League debut.
• During spring training, for the Reds made 3 apps before he was optioned to Louisville on 3/11.
• Began the season with the Bats and went 0-1, 4.09 in 3 starts (11ip, 8h, 5er, 9bb, 10k, 3hr).
• Will become the second Reds player this season to make his Major League debut (RHP Casey Legumina, 4/15 vs Phi) and the fifth rookie to appear in a game for the Reds this season (IF Spencer Steer, RHP Fernando Cruz, RHP Kevin Herget, Legumina).
• On 7/29/22 was acquired by the Reds, along with IF Edwin Arroyo, IF Noelvi Marte and RHP Andrew Moore, for RHP Luis Castillo.
• In 2022, in 25 starts for Class AA Arkansas & Chattanooga and Class AAA Louisville combined to go 7-8, 4.70.
• From 8/24-9/6, 2022 was on the Bats’ 7-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.
• After he came off the injured list on 9/7/22, posted a 0.77 ERA in his last 4 starts of the season (11.2ip, 1er).
• Was added to the Reds’ 40-man roster at the 11/15 restricted list deadline, along with IF Elly De La Cruz, RHP Ricky Karcher, IF Noelvi Marte, RHP Lyon Richardson and RHP Brandon Williamson.
• Entered the 2023 season rated No. 15 on Baseball America’s Reds Top 40 Prospects list.
• His changeup is rated the best in the Reds’ organization.
• Was drafted and signed by the Mariners in June 2019 but missed his first professional season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that led to “Tommy John” surgery on 7/19.
