TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
LATE-INNING HEROICS — 3B Isaac Paredes (3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, RBI, 2R) churned out a career-high three extra-base hits, including a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning, as the Rays held on for a 3-2 win over the White Sox last night at Guaranteed Rate Field…RF Manuel Margot (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) recorded a game-tying single in the fourth inning, but neither club scored again until Paredes’ home run.
Paredes’ blast marked Tampa Bay’s third go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later, tied with Detroit for most in the majors…the Rays had three such homers all of last season.
RHP Zach Eflin (5.0IP, 2H, 2ER, 2BB, 5SO, 2HR) worked 5.0 innings, but settled for a no-decision after allowing solo homers in each of the first two frames…RHP Ryan Thompson (1.0IP, BB) tossed a scoreless sixth inning in his return from the injured list, while LHP Colin Poche (1.0IP, SO) improved to 2-0 after retiring all three batters he faced in the eighth…RHP Kevin Kelly (0.1IP) recorded the final out for his first career save.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS — Earlier today, the Rays acquired RHP Javy Guerra from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations and designated RHP Braden Bristo for assignment…Guerra made 17 appearances for Tampa Bay last season, pitching to a 2-1 mark with a 3.38 ERA (16.0IP, 6ER).
SUPER SLUGGERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 52 home runs, fifth most through a club’s first 27 games in MLB history (since 1901)…the only four teams with more long balls through 27 games are St. Louis in 2000 (59HR), Seattle in 2019 (56HR) and 1999 (54HR), and Cleveland in 1997 (54HR).
Tampa Bay has hit 14 go-ahead home runs, second most in the majors behind Los Angeles-NL (17HR).
The Rays homered in each of their first 22 games, the longest streak to open a season in MLB history…marked the longest home run streak at any point in a single season since the 2019 Houston Astros (25G, 9/1-29, 2019).
The Rays homered in 23 straight games overall from 10/5/22-4/23/23, the longest streak in franchise history (prev. 21G, 9/20/15-4/12/16).
Tampa Bay has an MLB-best 12 players with multiple homers, ahead of St. Louis (11) and San Francisco (10)…the Rays have an MLB-best five players with at least five home runs, ahead of Atlanta and Los Angeles-AL, who each have four.
MULTI-HIT MAESTRO — Randy Arozarena secured his 10th multi-hit game last night, tied with teammate Yandy Díaz for second most in the AL behind only TOR Matt Chapman (11G) and tied for sixth most in the majors…the Rays are 9-1 when Randy records multiple hits, including three straight victories.
Arozarena has collected 24 RBI, tied for fifth most in MLB…he also ranks among qualified major leaguers in average (7th, .330) and hits (T7th, 33).
He ranks among qualified MLB outfielders in multi-hit games (T2nd, 10), hits (T2nd, 33), batting average (3rd, .330), average exit velocity (3rd, 94.0 mph), OPS (6th, .940), OBP (T6th, .400), total bases (T5th, 54) and fWAR (9th, 1.1).
HIGHS AND LOWES — Josh Lowe produced a career-high three hits on Thursday night in Chicago…extended his road hitting streak to 13 games dating back to 7/24/22, the longest active run in the majors ahead of BOS Adam Duvall (10G)…marks the longest road hitting streak by a Ray since Austin Meadows (14G) from 5/24-6/19, 2021…Lowe is slashing .383/.408/.638 (18-for-47) with three doubles, 3 HR and 9 RBI during the streak.
Lowe has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games overall, batting .350 (14-for-40) with three doubles, 2 HR, 11 RBI and 3 SB during that stretch.
After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Lowe is batting .421 (8-for-19) with a double, a home run and 5 RBI with three strikeouts…after falling behind 0-2 last season, Lowe hit just .093 (4-for-43) with 2 XBH and 22 strikeouts.
IF THE SOX FIT — Yandy Díaz has a nine-game hitting streak against the White Sox dating back to 4/17/22, batting .500 (15-for-30) with three doubles, a homer, 4 RBI, nine runs scored and eight walks compared to only three strikeouts during the streak…in 36 career games against Chicago-AL, Díaz is batting .322 (39-for-121) with seven doubles, 2 HR, 12 RBI and 23 walks against 20 strikeouts…marks his most career hits and walks against any non-divisional opponent.
STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM — Tampa Bay’s 7-8-9 hitters rank among the AL’s best in hits (1st, 75), homers (2nd, 12), SLG (2nd, .442), batting average (3rd, .257), OPS (4th, .758), lowest strikeout rate (4th, 22.3%), hard-hit pct. (4th, 31.3%) and OBP (6th, .316)…in 2022, the bottom three spots in the Rays order slashed .197/.254/.305 (216-for-1,666), recording the fewest hits and sixth-lowest OPS (.607) in the majors.
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK — The Rays lead the majors in runs scored (174) while surrendering the fewest runs (77)…Tampa Bay’s +97 run differential is the second-best mark through the first 27 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates (+111).
Since 2004, only the Rays and 2017 Washington Nationals (175) have plated 174+ runs over their first 27 games of the season…Tampa Bay’s 75 runs allowed are its fewest through 27 games in franchise history, ahead of the 2019 club (83).
ON THE MOUND — Tampa Bay’s 2.80 ERA is the best mark in the majors, ahead of Houston (3.16)…this includes the best starter ERA (tied, 3.00) and the second-best bullpen ERA (2.55) behind New York-AL (2.40)…Rays pitchers pace the majors in opponents’ OPS (.593), opponents’ average (.201), fewest pitches per IP (15.43) and WHIP (1.07).
IN THE BOX — Rays hitters lead MLB in OPS (.862), OBP (.348), SLG (.514), average (.279), extra-base hits (109) and total bases (475)…the Rays offense has produced a 44.2 pct. hard-hit rate, second in MLB behind Atlanta (45.6%)…Tampa Bay hitters have the majors’ fourth-lowest ground ball rate (39.4%) and the sixth-highest fly ball rate (28.6%).
SOUTH SIDE SYMPHONY — The Rays play the third contest in a four-game set with the White Sox this evening…Tampa Bay has won five straight games over the ChiSox, matching the longest winning streak over Chicago-AL in club history (4x, last: 6/12-8/4, 2015).
With wins tonight and tomorrow afternoon, the Rays would clinch their first season series sweep over the White Sox in franchise history…Tampa Bay has already earned its first season series win over Chicago-AL since 2019 (4-2), winning each of the first five meetings between the two clubs in 2023.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP CALVIN FAUCHER (0-1, 5.68)
CALLING ON CALVIN — Faucher takes the ball this evening for his fourth consecutive start after making 26 relief appearances to begin his major league career…will mark his second career start on the road…Faucher has pitched to a 6.75 ERA (6.2IP, 5ER) in three starts compared to a 4.50 ERA (6.0IP, 3ER) in his four relief appearances…Tampa Bay is 1-2 in his starts.
LAST TIME OUT — Faucher took the loss on 4/26 vs. Houston at Tropicana Field, permitting a lone tally on a first-inning error that proved to be the decisive blow in a 1-0 loss (2.0IP, H, ER, 2BB, SO)…worked a 1-2-3 second inning before walking the lead-off batter in the third frame to conclude his start
NEXT MAN UP — Made his first career start on 4/15 at Toronto, yielding one run on two hits and a walk while striking out a pair in a career-high 2.2 innings of work…retired each of the first five batters he faced, recording both of his strikeouts in that span.
SWEPT AWAY — Faucher’s four-pitch mix is highlighted by his sweeper, which he utilizes 40.8 percent of the time…nine of his 10 strikeouts this season have come via the sweeper, a pitch he has registered a 31.4 percent whiff rate on…opponents are batting just .226 (7-for-31) with one extra-base hit (HR) against the sweeper…Faucher has recorded a 23.7 putaway percentage on the pitch (pct. of two-strike pitches resulting in a strikeout), his highest on any offering in his arsenal.
THIS AND THAT — Has held right-handed hitters to a .206/.270/.324 (7-for34) clip compared to .444/.500/.611 (8-for-18) against lefties…owns a 3.86 ERA (4.2IP, 2ER) in two games (one start) on the road compared to a 6.75 ERA (8.0IP, 6ER) in five games (2 starts) at Tropicana Field…opponents are batting .250 (7-for-28) against him following a first-pitch strike compared to .381 (8-for-21) when his initial offering is a ball.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost nine straight games, 11 of their last 12, 14 of 16 and 17 of 21 as they continue a seven-game homestand tonight against Tampa Bay, owners of the best record in baseball.
RHP Lance Lynn is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are tied with the 1950 and 1948 clubs for the worst 27-game start in franchise history.
The Sox have lost the fi rst two games of this series, suffering a 3-2 loss last night after a 14-5 defeat in the opener.
Following this four-game series and a day off on Monday, the White Sox conclude the homestand with three games vs. Minnesota (5/2-4) before taking a seven-game trip to Cincinnati (5/5-7) and Kansas City (5/8-11).
The Sox went 0-6 on their last trip to Tampa Bay (0-3) and Toronto (0-3) from 4/21-26 and 2-4 on their last homestand vs. Baltimore (1-2) and Philadelphia (1-2) from 4/13-19.
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox have lost nine straight games for the first time since 7/9-23/17 and are looking to avoid their first 10-game slide since 7/26-8/4/13.
The Sox are 0-5 against Tampa Bay this season, but three of the losses have come by one run and two in walkoff fashion.
Lance Lynn owns a 2.68 ERA (12 ER/40.1 IP) with 47 strikeouts in six career starts (fi ve quality) against Tampa Bay.
The Sox are hitting .193/.255/.323 (114-592) with 51 runs scored (2.8 R/G) over the last 18 games … they have collected 10-plus hits three times during that span.
Jake Burger leads the White Sox with seven home runs in just 63 plate appearances … among players with at least 60 PA, Burger ranks second in MLB with a 7.71 home run ratio … 11 of his 13 hits have gone for extra bases (7 HR, 4 2B).
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Isaac Paredes led off the ninth inning with a solo home run off Kendall Graveman as Tampa Bay recorded a 3-2 victory to extend the White Sox losing streak to nine games.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Jake Burger narrowly missed hitting his second home run of the game when Randy Arozarena caught his 378-foot fl y ball at the wall.
Lucas Giolito posted a ND despite allowing two runs with no walks and six strikeouts over 6.2 IP … Reynaldo López retired all four batters faced to preserve the 2-2 tie.
Andrew Vaughn went 2-4 with a solo home run (No. 2), and Burger was 2-5 with a solo homer (No. 7) … Andrew Benintendi stole two bases in a game for the fourth time in his career and first since 4/25/18 at Toronto (with Boston).
The Sox went 0-9 with RISP and left 10 runners on base.
Manager Pedro Grifol was ejected for the second straight game by umpire Marvin Hudson, marking the first time a Sox manager has been tossed in back-to-back contests since Rick Renteria on 9/21-22/20 at Cleveland (STATS).
SOX ON ASSIGNMENT
All-Star SS Tim Anderson (sprained left knee) and INF Hanser Alberto (strained left quad) began their injury rehab assignments last night with Class AAA Charlotte in game one of a doubleheader vs. Norfolk.
Anderson served as the DH in a 6-3 win, going 0-4 with a RBI, while Alberto went 3-3 with a double and run scored at second base … both players sat out the nightcap.
HIGHWAY ROBERT˨Y
Luis Robert Jr. leads MLB with seven defensive runs saved this season … Robert Jr. made an over-the-wall catch on 4/24 at Toronto to rob Matt Chapman of a home run, and he also denied San Francisco’s Joc Pederson of a home run on 4/3.
Per Sports Info Solutions, Robert Jr. is the first White Sox player in 20 years of tracking to record multiple home run robberies before the end of April, and the first in MLB to accomplish the feat since Milwaukee’s Lorenzo Cain had three in 2019.
Robert Jr’s. two home-run saving catches already are tied for the second-highest total by a Sox player over the last 20 seasons, trailing Adam Engel in 2018 and Jermaine Dye in 2009 (3).
WHITE SOX VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Tampa Bay leads the season series, 5-0, winning the first two games of this series after sweeping a three-game set at home last weekend, their fi rst of the White Sox at Tropicana Field since 6/12-14/15.
The Sox are batting .208/.290/.399 (36-173) with a 5.61 ERA (27 ER/43.1 IP) and have been outscored, 33-18.
Three of the fi ve Sox losses have come in the last at-bat, including a pair in walkoff fashion.
The Sox went 4-2 against Tampa Bay in 2022, winning two of three games at home from 4/15-17 and at Tampa Bay from 6/3-5.
LOOKING FOR AN EDGE VS. THE EAST
The White Sox are 1-10 against American League East teams this season, going 1-4 at home and 0-6 on the road … they have been outscored, 73-34.
By comparison, the Sox combined to go 34-31 vs. the AL East in 2021-22.
SEARCHING FOR HOME˨FIELD ADVANTAGE
The White Sox are 3-8 at home this season after going 37-44 (.457) in 2022, the 12th-best winning percentage in the American League … by comparison, the Sox were 53-28 (.654) at home in 2021, the best record in the AL. Through 11 home games this season, the White Sox have
been outscored, 80-46, and outhomered, 22-11.
Gavin Sheets (23 of 28) and Burger (14 of 16) have combined to hit 37 of their 44 career home runs at Guaranteed Rate Field.
FROM THE TRAINING ROOM
INF Hanser Alberto (strained left quad), SS Tim Anderson (sprained left knee), LHP Garrett Crochet (Tommy John recovery), RHPs Matt Foster (Tommy John surgery) and Liam Hendriks (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment) and 3B Yoán Moncada (lower back soreness) are on the injured list.
AS TA GOES, SO GO THE WHITE SOX
The White Sox have gone 2-14 since All-Star SS Tim Anderson was placed on the 10-day injured list on 4/11 with a sprained left knee suff ered on 4/10 at Minnesota.
Since the start of the 2020 season, the Sox are 150-112 (.573) when Anderson is in the starting lineup and 66-83 (.443) when he is not.
During that span, the Sox are 124-73 when Anderson records a hit, 72-32 when he records a multi-hit eff ort, 94-46 when he score a run and 27-3 when he homers.
SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
The White Sox are batting .272/.337/.441 vs. left-handed pitching since the start of the 2019 season … during that span, the Sox lead MLB in average, rank third in on-base percentage, fourth in OPS (.779) and fifth in slugging.
Tim Anderson owns a .353/.383/.564 (141-399) slash line vs. LHP since 2019, while Hanser Alberto is hitting .343/.362/.483 (170-495) … during that span, Anderson and Alberto rank 1-2 in MLB in average vs. LHP.
Luis Robert Jr. is a career .348/.402/.609 (72-207) hitter vs. lefties … Jake Burger owns a .634 slugging percentage vs. LHP.
NO RISP, NO REWARD
The White Sox are hitting .148 (9-61) with runners in scoring position over the last nine games.
Andrew Vaughn is batting .429/.520/.810 (9-21) with 15 RBI with RISP this season, and Andrew Benintendi is hitting .400/.500/.467 (6-15).
STARTER – #33 LANCE LYNN RHP
LYNN AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his sixth start of the season, third at home and first vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.
The White Sox are 0-5 in his starts this season, marks the first time his team has gone winless in five straight of his starts since 9/17-8/23/19 with Texas.
Has allowed eight runs in the first inning in his five starts in 2023 … gave up 13 runs in the first in 21 starts in 2022.
Ranks among MLB active pitchers in HR/9.0 IP (6th, 0.93), SO/9.0 IP (8th, 9.08), opponents average (9th, .242), opponents SLG (9th, .382), wins (9th, 123), starts (T9th, 290), IP (10th, 1,731.2), opponents OPS (11th, .694), ERA (12th, 3.58), WHIP (12th, 1.27), opponents OBP (12th, .312) and strikeouts (12th, 1,747).
Signed a two-year contract extension with a club option with the White Sox on 7/17/21 … the Sox hold an $18-million option for 2024 with a $1- million buyout.
Is a two-time All-Star (2012 and 2021) … has finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2019, sixth in 2020 and third in 2021 … was a member of the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.
LAST START
Suffered his third loss of the season on 4/24 at Toronto, allowing four runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts over 5.0 IP … allowed all fours in the fourth inning after retiring the first two batters of the inning … surrendered an RBI double to Whit Merrifield and a three-run home run to Cavan Biggio.
Left the game in the sixth with the White Sox trailing, 4-2 … threw 101 pitches (59 strikes).
Owned a 72.7 first-strike percentage and 12.9 swinging-strike percentage (14 swing and misses) vs. 22 batters … threw 41 four-seam fastballs (91.9 mph avg; 94.1 mph max), 35 cutters (87.4 avg; 90.0 max), 11 sinkers (91.2 avg; 93.0 max), eight curveballs (80.8 avg; 82.4 max) and six changeups (84.5 avg; 87.0 max).
GRAB SOME BENCH
Recorded his 23rd career double-digit strikeout performance and fourth with the Sox on 4/11 at Minnesota.
Ranks 11th in the majors with 667 strikeouts since 2019 … teammate Lucas Giolito (737) ranks seventh.
Has struck out at least five batters in 82 of his 100 starts since 2019, tied with Cleveland’s Shane Bieber for the 10th-highest total in the majors.
MONSTER OF THE MIDWAY
Is 11-8 with a 3.65 ERA (64 ER/158.0 IP), .224 (135- 603) opponents average, one complete game, one shutout and 181 strikeouts in 28 home starts since 2021 … made one start in Dyersville, Iowa at the “Field of Dreams” Game on 8/12/21 vs. New York-AL.
Has gone 11-8 with a 3.53 ERA (60 ER/153.0 IP) in 27 starts at Guaranteed Rate Field since 2021.
Ranks among American League home leaders (min. 150.0 IP) since 2021 in opponents OBP (7th, .276), opponents average (9th) and ERA (16th).
ORTHODOX HITTERS
Owns a career .230/.285/.353 (800-3,485) opponents slash line against right-handed hitters.
His .230 opponents average vs. right-handers is the 10th-lowest mark among active pitchers in the majors.
AMERICA’S ACE
Pitched for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic … went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (3 ER/9.0 IP), .188 (6-32) opp. average and eight strikeouts in two starts.
Started on 3/13 against Canada in pool play, earning the win after allowing one run over 5.0 IP.
Was the starting pitcher for USA’s quarterfinal contest vs. Venezuela … received a no decision after allowing two runs in 4.0 IP … USA would go on to win, 9-7.
VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS || A.L. EAST
Is scheduled to make his seventh career start (eighth appearance) against Tampa Bay, fifth at home and second at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Has gone 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA (4 ER/21.0 IP) and .178 (13-73) opponents average and 25 strikeouts in his last three starts vs. the Rays.
Is 1-2 with a 5.16 ERA (13 ER/22.2 IP) and .209 (18-86) opponents average in his last four starts vs. the AL East
