TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
YESTERDAY’S RECAP — The Rays dropped their second consecutive game in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, 5-2…2B Taylor Walls went deep in the fourth inning, his first homer of the season, before LF Randy Arozarena recorded his 17th RBI on a groundout in the seventh…the Rays brought the go-ahead run to the plate with the bases loaded in the ninth inning but were unable to score.
RHP Calvin Faucher (2.2IP, 2H, ER, BB, 2SO) made his first career start as an opener, followed by RHP Trevor Kelley (2.0IP, 2H, 2ER, BB) and LHP Josh Fleming (3.1IP, 3H, 2ER, 4BB, SO).
Walls’ homer marked his first long ball since 9/30/22 at Houston…12 different players have now homered for the Rays this season, most in the majors, ahead of San Francisco (11 players).
GOING, GOING, GONE — Tampa Bay has hit 35 home runs, third most through a team’s first 15 games of a season in MLB history behind the 2019 Seattle Mariners and 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (36HR each)…the Rays would need four homers today to match the record for most homers through 16 games (39HR), set by the 2000 Cardinals…Tampa Bay has already registered three 4+ homer games (4/4 at WSH, 4/7 vs. OAK and 4/11 vs. BOS) after recording only one such contest in 2022 (6/21/22 vs. NYY)
Tampa Bay has homered in each of its first 15 games, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history behind only the 2019 Mariners’ 20-game run… marks the Rays’ longest streak at any point in a single season since an 18-game streak from 8/19-9/8, 2017.
BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL—The Rays lead MLB in both runs scored (106) and fewest runs allowed (41)…since 2018, only the Rays and the 2022 Dodgers (2x, last 7/28-8/18, 2022) have scored 106+ runs while permitting 41-or-fewer runs over a 15-game span at any point in a season.
Tampa Bay’s +65 run differential is the second-best mark through 15 games in MLB’s Modern Era (since 1900), trailing only the 1905 New York Giants (+69)…the Giants currently hold the record through 16 games (+73).
Tampa Bay’s 106 runs scored are its most through 15 games in club history, ahead of the 2010 Rays (83R)…the last major league club to score more runs through 15 games was Seattle in 2019 (117R).
The Rays’ 41 runs allowed are second-fewest through 15 games in club history, behind the 2019 team (36R).
BUSINESS AS USUAL — Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has produced the second-best ERA in the majors at 2.64, trailing only Minnesota (2.62)…this includes the second-best starter ERA (2.68) behind Minnesota (2.55) and third-best bullpen ERA (2.59) behind Milwaukee (2.17) and New York-AL (2.36)…Rays pitchers rank among MLB leaders in opponents’ OPS (1st, .561), FIP (1st, 3.25), first-pitch strike pct. (1st, 65.3%), opponents’ average (2nd, .199), WHIP (2nd, 1.05), fewest pitches per IP (2nd, 15.9) and SO/BB ratio (7th, 2.98).
Tampa Bay has allowed just seven home runs across 133.0 innings, good for an MLB-best 0.47 HR/9.0IP…marks the fewest homers allowed through 15 games in franchise history, ahead of the 2014 and 2019 Rays (10HR each).
Rays pitchers have allowed the third-lowest average exit velocity (87.3 mph) and the second-lowest hard-hit pct. (33.0%) in MLB (pct. of batted balls hit at 95+ mph).
REWRITING HISTORY — Prior to Friday night’s loss, the Rays became the fourth team in MLB history to begin a season 13-0, joining the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers (13-0), 1982 Atlanta Braves (13-0) and 1884 St. Louis Maroons (20-0)…marked the longest win streak in club history, surpassing a 12-game run from 6/9-22, 2004.
The Rays won each of their first nine games by 4+ runs, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history behind the 1884 Maroons (13 straight)… ties the fourth-longest overall streak of 4+ run wins in MLB history and marks the longest since the 1939 New York Yankees (10G, 8/20-28, 1939).
Tampa Bay pitching strung together a 32.0 scoreless inning streak from 4/8-11, the longest streak in club history and longest single-season streak in MLB since St. Louis from 8/5-9, 2015 (38.0IP)…the streak included a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts (4/8-10) — Tampa Bay became the first club to record three straight shutouts within a single season since Cleveland in 2017 (8/25-27, 2017).
The Rays turned in back-to-back 11-0 wins over Oakland, 4/8-9, becoming the fourth team in MLB history to record consecutive shutout wins, both by 11+ runs, joining Baltimore in 2019 (6/28-29, 2019), Detroit in 1936 (9/22/36) and the 1885 New York Giants (3G, 5/25/28, 1885).
Through their first 11 games of the season, the Rays had hit 29 homers and allowed only 20 runs…per Elias, that marked the highest difference between home runs hit and runs allowed at any point in a season in MLB history.
NORTH OF THE BORDER — The Rays and Blue Jays meet for the third of 13 games this season this afternoon at Rogers Cetnre…Tampa Bay went 10-9 against Toronto in 2022, outscoring the Blue Jays, 82-73 (+9), but has dropped each of the first two matchups this season…the clubs split their 10 meetings at Rogers Centre last year despite the Rays posting a +7 (47-40) run differential in those games.
The Rays have dropped four straight to the Blue Jays (9/24/22-pres.), their first four-game losing streak to Toronto since 7/19-10/2, 2015 (5G).
WANDER STRUCK — Following his double on Saturday afternoon, Wander Franco paces the majors with 12 extra-base hits…marks the second most extra-base hits through a player’s first 15 games of a season in Rays history, trailing only Evan Longoria (13XBH) in 2009…with an extra-base hit today, Franco would tie Longoria’s franchise mark through 16 games (13).
Wander has collected six multi-hit games this season, most on the club and tied for sixth most in the AL…has also recorded a trio of 3+ hit games, tied for second most in the AL behind TOR Matt Chapman (4G).
SPREADING THE WEALTH — The Rays have an MLB-leading 11 players with multiple homers: Brandon Lowe (5HR), Yandy Díaz (4HR), Wander Franco (4HR), Randy Arozarena (3HR), Isaac Paredes (3HR), Luke Raley (3HR), Harold Ramírez (3HR), Christian Bethancourt (2HR), Josh Lowe (2HR), Manuel Margot (2HR) and Jose Siri (2HR)…the next closest team is San Francisco (9 players).
TODAY’S STARTER: LHP SHANE McCLANAHAN (3-0, 1.59)
SUGAR SHANE — The left-hander takes the ball this afternoon for his fourth start of the campaign, including his second outing on the road…is searching for his fourth victory in as many starts, which would mark his most consecutive wins since 5/17-6/9, 2022 (5G)…was originally selected by the Rays in the first round (31st overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
LAST START — McClanahan earned the win on 4/11 vs. Boston after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing a run on two hits and four walks with a season-high nine strikeouts.
His four walks in the outing tied a career high (3x, last: 4/5 at WSH)…marked the first time in his career that McClanahan has recorded 4+ walks in consecutive starts…the nine strikeouts were his most in six career starts vs. Boston (prev. 8 on 9/2/21).
SINGING THE BLUES — McClanahan has gone 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA (31.1IP, 10ER) in six career starts against the Blue Jays.
Took the loss in his last matchup with Toronto on 9/25/22 at Tropicana Field…threw 5.0 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, two walks and a career-high three home runs with two strikeouts.
Earned the win in his last start at Rogers Centre on 9/15/22…tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, scattering three hits and a walk with five strikeouts.
VS. AL EAST — McClanahan has thrived against divisional opponents in his career, pitching to an 12-6 mark with a 2.71 ERA (136.1IP, 41ER) in 25 starts against the AL East…his 2.06 ERA (65.2IP, 15ER) against the division in 2022 was second-best in the majors (min. 50.0IP vs. AL East), trailing only TOR Alek Manoah (1.90).
Has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his last 15 starts against division rivals dating back to 9/8/21, turning in a 7-2 record to go with a 1.94 ERA (78.2IP, 17ER) in those games.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN — In 23 career road starts, has gone 7-6 with a 2.72 ER (125.2IP, 38ER)…went 3-3 with a 2.08 ERA (60.2IP, 14ER) in 10 road starts last season.
Has made four career starts at Rogers Centre, going 2-1 with a 2.01 ERA (22.2IP, 5ER)…in two starts last year, McClanahan went 2-0 in Toronto, allowing one run across 12.0 innings with 15 strikeouts against two walks.
FULL SPEED AHEAD — McClanahan’s four-seam fastball has clocked in at an average velocity of 97.4 mph this season, second-fastest among AL starting pitchers’ fastballs behind TEX Jacob deGrom (98.8 mph) and fifth-fastest among MLB starters (min. 50 FB thrown)…since breaking into the majors in 2021, his 96.6 mph average velocity on his fastball is eighth-fastest in MLB, including third among southpaws (min. 1,500 FB thrown) behind only José Alvarado (97.8 mph) and Gregory Soto (98.3 mph).
CHANGING IT UP — McClanahan threw his changeup on 25.4 pct. of his pitches last season compared to 8.0 percent in 2021…opponents hit just .145 (24-for-166) and produced only four extra-base hits (3 2B, 1 HR) against the offering…he posted a 44.6 whiff pct. on his changeup and 61 of his 194 strikeouts (31.4 pct.) came on the pitch.
Through his first three starts in 2023, McClanahan has thrown his changeup 22.5 pct. of the time, registering a 33.3 pct. whiff rate on the pitch.
OPENING DAY SHANE — McClanahan was named the Rays’ Opening Day starter by manager Kevin Cash on 3/24…McClanahan is the first Rays pitcher to make consecutive Opening Day starts since Chris Archer made four straight from 2015-2018 and is the sixth to do so in club history (also: David Price, 2013-2014; James Shields, 2008-2010; Scott Kazmir, 2006-2007; Wilson Álvarez, 1998-1999).
HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR — In 2022, McClanahan became the second pitcher in club history to start an All-Star Game, following David Price in 2010…McClanahan became the ninth Rays starting pitcher to make an All-Star Team, joining Charlie Morton (2019), Blake Snell (2018), Chris Archer (2015, 2017), David Price (2010-12, 2014), Matt Moore (2013), James Shields (2011), Scott Kazmir (2006, 2008) and Rolando Arrojo (1998)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays scored runs in four different frames to take down the Rays, 5-2, yesterday afternoon…Won a game while being outhit (8-7) for the 1st time this season. Toronto has now won nine of its last 11 contests…Has claimed its 4th straight series…Can earn its 1st series sweep with a win this afternoon (recorded seven sweeps last season).
WHAT DO YUSEI: Yusei Kikuchi allowed a lone run over 6.0 innings of work yesterday, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out nine batters – his most in 35 games as a Blue Jay…Completed 6.0 frames for the first time since June 30, 2022 vs. TB…Induced 13 swing-and-misses on 94 pitches (67 strikes).
JUST BO WITH IT: Bo Bichette opened the scoring yesterday with an RBI groundout in the 3rd inning…Became the 2nd-fastest player in franchise history to reach 250 career RBI, doing so in 408 games, behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who reached the mark in 403 games. The 25-year old has hits in 12 of the 15 games so far, going 25-for-68 (.368) with four doubles, four homers, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored…The 25 hits are the most in the Majors while his 41 total bases are tied for the most in MLB…Among AL batters, currently ranks 3rd in AVG and 10th in SLG (.603).
KIRKY CLICKING: Alejandro Kirk reached base safely in each of his four plate appearances yesterday, finishing 2-for-2 with an RBI, a pair of singles, a walk, and a hit by pitch…Has upped his on-base percentage to .395 while going 9-for-34 (.265) with a homer, nine RBI, and a 7BB/6K ratio…Last season, struck out just 58 times over 541 PA while drawing 63 walks as his 9.33 PA/K was 4th best among qualified MLB hitters.
STICK WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield drove in a run yesterday with a 4thinning double…Has four RBI in his last four contests… Has reached base safely in all 11 of his games played this season, batting .250 (10-for-40) with two doubles, six RBI, and three walks.
GETTING ON WITH IT: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled and walked as part of a 1-for-3 afternoon…Has reached base safely in all but one game this season, now 23-for-59 with a double, two homers, seven RBI, and an 8BB/5K ratio for a .390 AVG (2nd in the AL), a .471 OBP (3rd) and a .980 OPS (16th)…The 23 hits are 3rd most among AL batters, trailing only teammates Bo Bichette (25) and Matt Chapman (24)…Has recorded 31 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this year, the most in MLB.
ROMANO-MATIC: Jordan Romano used a pair of punchouts and a groundout to escape a bases-loaded jam and close out yesterday’s game…Now has six saves to lead the Majors (2nd: Emmanuel Clase – 5)…Led the AL last year with 10 saves in the opening month of the season.
HOME SWEET DOME: The Blue Jays are playing their 1st homestand of the 2023 campaign (4-1 so far)…Their .580 win% (47-34) at home last season ranked 4th in the AL…Will head back out on the road for a six-game road trip beginning to visit the Astros (7-8) and the Yankees (9-6) for three games each. Toronto batters finished 2nd in the AL in 2022 in home AVG (.261), 4th in home OBP (.326), 4th in home SLG (.434), and 4th in home OPS (.760)…The pitching staff posted a 4.04 ERA during home contests (10th in the AL) with a .248 opponents’ AVG (11th) and a 1.23
WHIP (8th).
DANNY DIALING IN: Danny Jansen singled in the 3rd and 4th innings before being intentionally walked in the 6th, finishing the afternoon 2-for-3 with an RBI…Was his 1st multi-hit game of the season.
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays are 1st in the Majors with a team batting average of .282 (2nd: TB – .279)…Have also notched an MLB-high 150 hits (2nd: ATL – 146)… Currently rank 3rd in the AL in OBP (.350) and OPS (.770) while sitting 5th in SLG (.420)…Have had an AL-high 208 batters reach base safely (2nd in MLB)…Are now on a streak of 30 games with 8+ runners on base, the longest of all MLB clubs (courtesy Stats Perform).
THE D-JAYS: According to Sports Info Solutions, Toronto fielders have recorded a total of 10 Defensive Runs Saved to lead all AL teams (3rd in MLB)…The group is led by an MLB-high five runs saved in center field, three of which have come from Kevin Kiermaier.
SEEING FAMILIAR FACES: Toronto is playing its first divisional games of the 2023 season…Marks the furthest the club has gone into a campaign without an AL East opponent since 2009, when they met the Orioles for Game 25 on May 1. The Jays have now won 22 of their last 32 games
vs. AL East foes…Went 43-33 (.566%) in divisional play in 2022, the 2nd-best winning percentage within the division (NYY – .618) and the club’s best since registering a .581 win% in 2006 (43-31).
VS. THE RAYS: All-Time: 202-238
2023: 2-0 Home: 115-105
Home: 2-0 Rogers Centre: 112-98
The Blue Jays went 9-10 vs. the Rays last season, splitting the 10 games here at Rogers Centre…Last won a season series in 2017 (10-9)…Have a chance to sweep the Rays for the first time since Sept. 25-27, 2015. Whit Merrifield went 12-for-32 (.375) with five doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI in his 10 games vs. Tampa Bay last season (1.206 OPS)…In 40 career meetings, is hitting .322 (49-for-152) with 13 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, and 26 RBI (.968 OPS). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has reached base safely in each of his last 17 games against the Rays, going 19-for71 (.268) with five doubles, two homers, 11 RBI, and three walks…Is tied for the longest active streak vs. TB (Tim Anderson – 17G)…Has hit .257 (64-for-249) with 16 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 35 RBI across 63 games against them (.790 OPS). Kevin Kiermaier is facing his former club for the 1st time…Was drafted by the Rays in 2010 and played 10 seasons there, winning three Gold Glove Awards and one Platinum Glove Award…Batted .248 with 273 extra-base hits and 316 RBI over 914 games.
STARTING PITCHER – Alek Manoah, RHP #6
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 4th start of the season and his 2nd at home…Took a no-decision in the team’s Home Opener on 4/11 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks over 4.1 innings with 3 strikeouts…Became the 5th pitcher in team history to pitch the club’s Season Opener and then their Home Opener, joining Jim Clancy (1981), Jimmy Key (1989), Marcus Stroman (2016), and Hyun Jin Ryu (2020).
Has pitched into the 6th inning in 17 of his last 18 home games, posting a 9-4 record over that stretch with a 2.33 ERA (30 ER/116.0 IP) and a 0.87 WHIP while holding hitters to a .176 average.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Earned his 1st win of the year on 4/5 at KC, tossing 7.0 frames of one-hit, shutout ball with four walks and five strikeouts.
Was the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays on 3/30 at STL…Took a no-decision that day, giving up 5 runs on a career-high 9 hits and 2 walks over 3.1 innings with 3 strikeouts… At 25 years and 80 days old, became the 4th-youngest Opening Day starter in team history (Drew Hutchison – 24.227 in 2015; Todd Stottlemyre – 24.324 in 1990; Marcus Stroman 24.338 in 2016).
2022 HIGHLIGHTS: His career 1.01 WHIP was the 2nd lowest all-time by an AL pitcher in his first two big league seasons, trailing only Walter Johnson’s 0.98 mark in 1907-1908 (min. 40 starts)…courtesy Stats Perform.
Finished 3rd in AL Cy Young voting, behind only Houston’s Justin Verlander and Chicago’s Dylan Cease.
Named an All-Star for the 1st time in his career…Pitched a scoreless 2nd inning in the Midsummer Classic, notching 3 punchouts and a hit batter on 18 pitches (13 strikes)…Joined Dave Stieb as the only pitchers in franchise history to strike out at least 3 batters in a single All-Star Game (Stieb – 4K in 1983).
Ranked 3rd among qualified AL pitchers in both ERA (2.24) and wins (16)…Also ranked 4th in the AL in innings pitched (196.2), 4th in WHIP (0.99), and 5th in opponent batting average (.202)…Became the 6th AL pitcher since 1920 to turn in a sub-1.00 WHIP under age 25…His 0.99 WHIP was the best in team history (2nd: Roger Clemens – 1.03 in 1997) while his 2.24 ERA ranked 2nd (1st: Clemens – 2.05 in 1997).
His 25 quality starts tied with Yu Darvish for 2nd most in the Majors, trailing only Framber Valdez’s 26.
Held right-handed hitters to a .159 AVG, 2nd best in the AL (3rd in MLB).
Won his 8th game of the year on 6/13 vs. BAL, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while giving up a hit and a walk and 7 strikeouts…Became the 7th
player in the modern era (since 1901) to win at least 17 of his first 20 career decisions as a starter (17-3), and the first since Vida Blue went 17-3 from 1969-1971.
Picked up his 11th win on 7/23 at BOS, throwing 6.0 frames of one-run ball with 7 hits, no walks, and 7 strikeouts…Earned his 20th win in his 39th career game, becoming the 2nd-fastest in Blue Jays history to reach the mark (1st: Juan Guzman – 38 games).
Earned his 15th win on 9/24 at TB…Tossed 7.0 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits and 2 walks with 8 strikeouts…His 303 strikeouts were the most in franchise history by a player in his first 50 career games (2nd: Juan Guzmán – 279).
Made his 1st career postseason start in Game 1 of the ALWC vs. SEA on 10/7…Was the 7th Blue Jay pitcher under the age of 25 to make a postseason start, and the 1st since Aaron Sanchez in Game 4 of the 2016 ALCS vs. CLE (10/18/16)…Gave up 4ER on 4H and a walk over 5.2 IP.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: In 2021, led MLB rookies (min. 10 starts) in WHIP (1.05), AVG (.192), and opponents’ OPS (.604), while 2nd in ERA, 3rd in K rate (27.7%) and 4th in SO/9 (10.24)…Became the 4th pitcher aged 23 or younger to average at least 10 strikeouts per nine innings in his debut season, joining Mark Prior (2002), Kerry Wood (1998) and Dwight Gooden (1984). Named AL Rookie of the Month for Sept./Oct. 2021, going 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 37.1 innings (six starts)…Was the the first Blue Jay to win the award since Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in July of 2018, and the first Toronto pitcher since Scott Richmond in April of 2009. Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (11th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.
VS. THE RAYS: Facing the Rays for the 8th time in his career…Met TB 3 times last year, surrendering just 3 runs over 19.2 innings (1.37 ERA) with 4 walks and 17 strikeouts…His career 1.42 ERA against the Rays is the best among active pitchers with at least 4 starts vs. TB…Has faced 175 Tampa batters in his career, giving up just 2 home runs while striking out 53 and holding hitters to a .168 AVG (0.90 WHIP).
