TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
SALVAGED THE SPLIT — The Rays remained undefeated over their last nine home series (7-0-2) with a 3-1 victory over visiting Kansas City on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, clinching a 2-2 split in the four-game set…CF Jose Siri (1-for-2, HR, RBI, 2R, BB) broke a scoreless tie with a third-inning solo homer, his 14th of the campaign, but the Royals plated the tying run in the following frame…Tampa Bay loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, leading to a pair of runs via a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by DH Harold Ramírez (0-for-2, RBI, BB)…the 3-1 lead was protected by RHP Jason Adam (1.0IP, SO) and RHP Pete Fairbanks (1.0IP, BB, SO), who tossed scoreless eighth and ninth frames, respectively.
RHP Tyler Glasnow (5.0IP, 4H, ER, BB, 12SO) returned to form with a season-high 12 strikeouts…he collected a season-high 26 whiffs in the outing, tying the second-most whiffs by any pitcher through the first five innings of a game in the Pitch Tracking Era (since 2008), trailing only Shane McClanahan earlier this season (28 on 4/22/23 vs. CWS)…collectively, Rays pitching logged a season-high-tying 17 strikeouts in the win (also 6/15 at OAK).
1B Yandy Díaz (4-for-4, R) churned out a career-high-tying four hits in the win (5x, last: 7/22/21 at CLE)…it marked his second career game going 4-for-4 or better (also: 4-for-4 on 8/24/17 vs. BOS)…he has not struck out in his last 21 plate appearances, tied with OAK Tony Kemp for the longest active streak in the AL.
81 DOWN, 81 TO GO—The Rays 54-27 record marks their best start through the first 81 games of a season in club history, surpassing the 2008 club (49-32)…they have also scored their most runs (451), ahead of the 2009 Rays (443), while allowing their third-fewest runs (301), trailing only the 2019 (291) and 2015 (293) squads…Tampa Bay’s +150 run differential is its best through 81 games in club history (prev. +99 in 2010)…the Rays are one of 20 teams since 1901 to post a +150 or better run differential through their first 81 games — 16 of the previous 19 clubs went on to win an AL/NL pennant, and 11 won World Series titles.
The Rays are the first team in MLB history (since 1901) to hit 120+ homers and steal 90+ bases through their first 81 games…they currently lead the AL in both categories and are looking to become the fifth team in AL history to do so at the All-Star break (since 1933), including the first since the 2015 Houston Astros (Elias).
Following their 30-9 (.769) start, the Rays are 24-18 (.571) over their last 42 games since 5/12…they have dropped five of eight and seven of their last 13 games.
The combined winning pct. of Tampa Bay’s first half opponents is .475, the third-lowest mark in MLB…the Rays remaining opponents have a combined winning pct. of .524, tied with Colorado for the highest in the majors.
TOP DOGS — This week’s series in Arizona marks the sixth time the Rays have faced a club that is leading or tied for first in its division at the beginning of the series (5/2-4 vs. PIT; 5/19-21 vs. MIL; 5/26-28 vs. LAD; 6/6-8 vs. MIN; 6/9-11 vs. TEX)…they have won each of the previous five series, going a combined 12-3 (.800).
The Rays are 29-16 (.644) against teams that currently have a record of .500 or better, the best mark in the majors, ahead of Atlanta (24-16, .600).
Since 5/2, the Rays are 8-1-2 in series play against teams that entered with a .500 or better record, compared to 0-3-2 against clubs that were below the .500 mark at the beginning of the series…Tampa Bay is unbeaten over its last eight series against teams that came in at .500 or better (6-0-2)…however, its last series victory against a team that entered with a losing record was 4/27-30 at Chicago-AL.
INTERLEAGUE INTEL — Tampa Bay is 15-9 (.625) in Interleague play, the fifth-best winning pct. in the majors and third best in the AL behind New York-AL (12-5, .706) and Toronto (14-6, .700)…the Rays have compiled an MLB-leading +45 (127-82) run differential in Interleague games, outpacing Miami’s +36 (114-78)…since winning nine of their first 10 games vs. NL opponents to open the season, the Rays are 6-8 in their last 14 Interleague matchups since 5/17, including 2-6 on the road in that span with five one-run losses.
As a team, Tampa Bay ranks among MLB leaders in Interleague play in stolen bases (1st, 42), SLG (2nd, .460), runs per game (2nd, 5.29), OPS (2nd, .794), homers (3rd, 39), OBP (4th, .335) and AVG (5th, .263).
JOYS OF JUNE — Luke Raley is batting .346 (18-for-52) with five doubles, two triples, two homers and 7 RBI in 15 June games…he ranks among the AL’s June leaders min. 40PA) in AVG (7th), OPS (8th, 1.005) and SLG (8th, .635).
Harold Ramírez is slashing .321/.356/.453 (17-for-53) with four doubles, one homer and 11 RBI in 16 games this month.
Isaac Paredes ranks among AL leaders in walks (T3rd, 16) and OBP (4th, .415) during the month of June.
DESERT DUEL — The Rays and Diamondbacks meet for their seventh all-time series this week, including the fifth at Chase Field…Tampa Bay is 6-5 in this ballpark, with its most recent visit coming from 6/6-8, 2016 (2-1)…the Rays have won each of their last two series against the D-backs since 2016, going 4-2 in that span.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP TAJ BRADLEY (5-3, 3.68)
TALKIN’ TAJ — Tampa Bay’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 11 prospect in baseball (Baseball America) will make his 11th career start tonight, including his sixth on the road…ranks among AL rookies (min. 40.0IP) in strikeout rate (1st, 34.5%), strikeouts (2nd, 71), wins (T2nd, 5) and ERA (5th, 3.86).
DEBUT DERBY — Bradley was the second of five Rays to make their major league debuts in 2023, along with RHP Kevin Kelly (4/1 vs. DET), RHP Braden Bristo (4/13 vs. BOS), LHP Joe La Sorsa (5/29 at CHC) and LHP José Lopez (6/10 vs. TEX)…he was the first pitcher to debut with the Rays as a starter since RHP Tommy Romero, who served as an opener on 4/12/2022 vs. Oakland.
Bradley won in his debut on 4/12 vs. BOS after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.
LAST TIME OUT — Bradley improved to 5-3 on 6/21 vs. Baltimore after throwing 6.0 innings of one-run ball, scattering three hits and no walks with eight strikeouts.
He had walked 10 batters over his prior three starts before issuing no free passes against Baltimore.
UNFAMILIAR FOE — Bradley will be making his first career start against the Diamondbacks and his first start against an NL West opponent…in three Interleague outings, he is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA (16.0IP, 2ER), striking out 21 batters against four walks while holding opponents to a .161 AVG (9-for-56).
STRIKEOUT SAVANT — Bradley’s 71 strikeouts are the most through a pitcher’s first 10 starts with the Rays in franchise history, ahead of Charlie Morton (67SO in 2019) and Drew Smyly (65SO in 2014-2015).
Since his debut on 4/12, Bradley’s 34.5 pct. strikeout rate is second highest among major league starters (min. 10GS), trailing only ATL Spencer Strider (38.8%).
His 71 strikeouts are the most by a Rays rookie through 10 starts in franchise history, ahead of Jake Faria (58SO in 2017).
On 6/15 at Oakland, Bradley recorded each of his first nine outs via strikeout…his 11 SO on the day were tied for the second most by a Rays rookie in franchise history and the most since Jake Odorizzi (11SO) on 5/9/14.
ROAD WARRIOR — In five road starts, Bradley is 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA (25.1IP, 6ER) and 28 strikeouts against 10 walks while holding opponents to a .204 (19-for-93) opponent average…in five starts at Tropicana Field, he is 3-2 with a 5.70 ERA (23.2IP, 15ER).
ABOVE THE CURVE — Bradley utilizes his curveball 16.0 pct. of the time and is holding opponents to a .133 (4-for-30) average on the offering…he has allowed just one extra-base hit on the pitch, a homer to TOR George Springer on 5/23.
Min. 30 AB, he has third-lowest AVG on his curveball in the AL behind CLE James Karinchak (.108) and MIN Jhoan Duran (.121).
THIS AND THAT — The right-hander has held opponents to a .129 clip (15- for-116) with six walks in two-strike counts…opposing 6-9 hitters are 10- for-69 (.145) against him compared to .288 (34-for-118) vs. the first five spots in the order…when leading off an inning, opposing batters are hitting .375 (18-for-51) with three doubles, two triples and four home runs.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
TOP OF THE WEST: The D-backs are in first place in the NL West (+2.5) and have spent 48 days in/tied for first place in the division.
SOLID SINCE MAY 28: The D-backs’ 18-9 record (.667) since May 28 is tied for the third best in the Majors (also: Reds), behind the Braves (20-6, .769) and Marlins (18-8, .692).
TOP 5 RECORD: The D-backs’ 47-32 (.595) season record is fifth in the Majors, behind the Rays (54-27, .662), Braves (51-27, .654), Orioles (48-29, .623) and Rangers
(47-31, .603).
ROSTER MOVES: The D-backs made the following roster moves:
♦ Recalled RHP Kevin Ginkel from Triple-A Reno.
♦ Recalled RHP Justin Martinez (#63) from Reno.
♦ Placed RHP Merrill Kelly on 15-day injured list (right calf inflammation) [retro. June 25]. ♦Optioned LHP Joe Mantiply to Reno following Sunday’s game.
THE 1998 EXPANSION SERIES: The 1998 expansion teams and respective division leaders face off for the first time since 2019 and first time @ Chase Field since 2016.
♦ The series vs. Rays marks the ninth overall (also: 2004, ’06, ’07, ’10, ’13, ’16, ’19)…2013 was the lone season with 2 series (2-gamers in each city).
♦ The D-backs host the Rays for the fifth time overall (also: June 18-20, 2004 – 0-3; June 18-20, 2007 – 2-1; Aug. 6-7, 2013 – 2-0; June 6-8, 2016 -1-2).
NO SHUTOUT STREAK SETS RECORD, NINTH-BEST SINCE ’98: The D-backs set a club-record 79 straight games without a shutout to start the season (previous: 78 games from April 1-June 27, 2013; shutout 3-0 in game 79 on June 28 @ Braves).
♦ It is the Majors’ ninth-longest streak since 1998: Reds (163 G, April 3-Oct. 1, 2000), Rangers (160 G, April 1-Oct. 5, 2001), Yankees (138 G, March 28-Sept. 1, 2019), Orioles (133 G, April 2-Aug. 31, 2007), Rangers (96, March 31-July 13, 2008), Tigers (April 5-July 16, 2012), Yankees (89 G, April 2-July 16 [GM1], 2017) and Nationals’ 86-gamer (April 3-July 7, 2017).
♦ Arizona is the only team to not be shut out in 2023.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs’ 53 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 33-20 record) is tied for the Majors’ longest active streak (also: Angels)…it is the third longest in a season in club history, behind 57 games (July 28-Sept. 28, 2003) and 69 games (July 18-Oct. 7, 2001).
WALK’S ON A CAREER BEST: Christian Walker has hit safely in a career-high 10 straight games at a .436 clip (17- for-39)/1.232 OPS with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 11 RBI and 4 walks (1 strikeout)…it is the Majors’ fourth-longest active hit streak, behind Jordan Walker/STL (15), Alex Verdugo/BOS (12) and Bo Bichette/TOR (11).
KETEL EXTENDS TO 19: Ketel Marte has reached base safely in 19 straight games, the Majors’ longest active on-base streak (.343; 24-for-70, 3 2B, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 16 BB).
♦ Since April 26, he has reached base safely in 49 of his 50 games…did not reach base on June 2 vs. Braves.
JUNE BOOM: Ketel Marte (5th, 1.087 OPS) and Christian Walker (8th, 1.061 OPS) makes the D-backs the only team with 2 players in the Top 10 in OPS in June.
♦ In Runs Created in June, Christian Walker is fourth with 24.7 RC, Corbin Carroll is eighth with 21.7 RC and Ketel Marte is 9th with 21.2 RC…the top 3 ahead of Walker are Shohei Ohtani/LAA (1st, 35.6), Fernando Tatis Jr./SD (2nd, 30.3) and Corey Seager/ TEX (3rd, 28.2).
Runs Created estimates a player’s offensive contribution in terms of total runs, combining a player’s ability to get on base with ability to hit for extra bases divided by total opportunities.
RUNNING IN JUNE: The D-backs’ 26 stolen bases in June are third in the Majors, behind the Reds (44) and Astros (30), ahead of the Rays’ 22 stolen bases in June.
STRIKING EARLY: The D-backs .960 OPS in Innings 1-2 since June 16 leads the Majors while their 18 runs scored are tied for the most (also: Braves).
RUN PRODUCTION: In their last 7 games with runners in scoring position, the D-backs are hitting .338 (22-for65)/.929 OPS with 32 runs (17 1B, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 BB)… with runners on base, they are hitting .333 (38-for114)/.881 OPS with 37 runs (29 1B, 5 2B, 4 HR, 13 BB).
D-FENSE! D-FENSE! The D-backs’ .990 fielding pct. is tied for the best in the Majors (also: Padres) while their 29 errors are second fewest behind the Padres (27).
♦ D-backs’ catchers lead the Majors with 33 stolen bases allowed (fewest) and tied for the best caught stealing pct. (34.0) with the Twins.
ANSWER-BACKS: The D-backs’ 22 comeback wins are tied for fi fth in the Majors (also: Marlins, Braves, White Sox), behind the Orioles (28), Reds (27), Angels (26)
and Red Sox (23).
