TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
BLAST OFF IN THE BRONX — The Rays launched four homers in the first four innings to power a 5-1 series-opening win over the Yankees on Monday night…2B Brandon Lowe (1-for-4, HR, 2RBI, R) clubbed a two-run shot in the opening frame, his second in as many games and fourth in his last six contests…New York cut the deficit in half with a Jake Bauers solo homer in the second, but SS Wander Franco (1-for-4, HR, RBI, R) responded with a solo shot of his own in the third…3B Isaac Paredes (2-for-3, 2B, HR, RBI, R) and DH Josh Lowe (1-for-4, HR, RBI, R) went back-to-back with two outs in the fourth inning for a 5-1 lead, marking the eighth time this season the Rays have hit back-to-back homers (last: 6/21 vs. BAL – Arozarena/Paredes).
RHP Tyler Glasnow (7.0IP, 3H, ER, 2BB, 8SO) tossed 7.0+ innings for the third consecutive start, matching the longest such streak of his career (also 5/26-6/8, 2021)…he has gone 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA (43.1IP, 10ER) over his last seven starts since 6/25, tied with new teammate Aaron Civale for second lowest in the AL over that span (min. 35.0IP) behind HOU J.P. France (1.88).
It marked the seventh time this season the Rays have hit 4+ homers, including the first instance since 4/30 at Chicago-AL (4HR)…it ties Minnesota for the fifth most
4+ homer games in the majors.
WELCOME TO TAMPA BAY — Yesterday, the Rays acquired RHP Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for MLB’s No. 37 prospect (MLB.com), IF Kyle Manzardo, in a 1-for-1 swap…Civale, 28, has gone 5-2 with a 2.34 ERA (77.0IP, 20ER) in 13 starts this season, including 3-0 with an AL-best (min. 25.0IP) 1.45 ERA (37.1IP, 6ER) in six outings during the month of July…among pitchers with at least 75.0 IP this season, he ranks among AL leaders in ERA (1st), opp. SLG (1st, .311), opp. OPS (1st, .580), opp. AVG (6th, .207) , opp. OBP (7th, .269) and WHIP (7th, 1.04).
A fifth-year veteran, Civale has spent the entirety of his career with the Guardians, going 29-23 with a 3.77 ERA across 76 starts since his debut in 2019… he is scheduled to make his first start with the Rays on Saturday at Detroit.
BACK ON TRACK — The Rays have won back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game winning streak from 7/9-15…they have won three of their last four games overall, scoring 4+ runs in four straight games for the first time since 7/9-16…they have recorded nine homers over that stretch, their most in any four-game span since 4/30- 5/4 (10HR)…they have not been shut out in their last 35 games, the second-longest active streak in the AL behind Houston (41G).
Isaac Paredes has posted a 1.122 OPS over his last nine games, batting .267 (8-for30) with two doubles, four homers and 6 RBI in that span…his .733 SLG in that stretch (since 7/21) ranks fourth in the AL (min. 30PA).
Following a 3-for-33 (.091) skid from 7/16-26, Wander Franco has a four-game hitting streak, batting .400 (6-for-15) with one triple, two homers, 2 RBI, three walks and zero strikeouts in that span.
Josh Lowe has recorded a hit in four of his last five games, batting .278 (5-for-18) with two doubles, one homer and 5 RBI.
Yandy Diaz has turned in back-to-back multi-hit games, going 4-for-7 (.571) overall in that span…on the season, his team-leading 33 multi-hit games are eighth most in the AL; five AL hitters currently have 34 multi-hit games.
DAWGS GOTTA EAT — Over his last six games, Brandon Lowe is 10-for-23 (.435) with four homers and 9 RBI…he is slashing .286/.365/.607 (16-for-56) with three doubles, five homers and 11 RBI since returning from the All-Star break, tying teammate Isaac Paredes for the fifth most homers in the AL during that span…he has homered in back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game streak from 4/8-11.
Since the All-Star break, Lowe is batting .317 (13-for-41) against offspeed/breaking pitches compared to 2-for-9 (.222) against fastballs…in the first half of the season, he hit .162 (16-for-99) against offspeed/breaking pitches and .264 (23-for-87) vs. fastballs.
Among AL hitters with at least 200 pitches seen since the All-Star break, only SEA Mike Ford (32.5%) has faced a lower rate of fastballs than Lowe (32.7%).
He has cut his strikeout rate from 31.3 pct. in 55 games prior to the All-Star break to 14.3 pct. in 16 games since the break, the lowest mark among Rays hitters (min. 20PA) in that timeframe, ahead of Harold Ramírez (14.7%).
Lowe’s 98 career homers are eighth most in Rays history, one shy of tying Hall of Famer Fred McGriff (99HR) for seventh…the next closest hitter on the list is sixth-place Carl Crawford (104HR).
FIRST FRAME FEATS — The Rays are outscoring opponents, 68-31 (+39), in the first inning, the second-best first-inning run differential in the majors behind Atlanta (+71)… it signals MLB’s fewest runs allowed in the opening frame and the fourth-most runs scored…each of Tampa Bay’s last three wins were keyed by multi-run opening frames (7/28 – 3R; 7/30 – 4R; 7/31 – 2R).
In the first inning, Rays pitching has posted an MLB-best 2.56 ERA (109.0IP, 39ER) while holding opponents to a .196/.280/.313 clip; all three marks lead the Majors… Tampa Bay’s offense leads the AL in first-inning OPS (.836) and OBP (.351) while tying Toronto for the top batting average (.281).
The Rays are 27-10 (.730) when scoring in the first inning compared to 38-34 (.528) in all other contests…this includes a 15-4 (.789) mark when plating multiple runs.
JUMBLED UP JULY — The Rays went 8-16 (.333) in July after entering the month with MLB’s best record at 57-28 (.671)…it tied Arizona and Pittsburgh (both 8-16) for the second-worst record in the majors during July, ahead of only Chicago-AL (7-16, .304)… despite winning three of their final four games, the Rays finished with the second-lowest winning July percentage in MLB history for a team that entered the month with the best record in the majors, trailing only the 1893 Brooklyn Bridgegrooms (7-20, .259), according to Elias. Ê The Rays opened July with a season-high seven-game losing streak before going 8-9 over their next 17 games…it marked their longest skid since 6/15-22, 2021 (also 7G).
The 8-16 record was the club’s worst in a calendar month since becoming the Rays in 2008; the previous mark of 9-16 (.360) was done on two occasions (July 2015 & 2016)…overall, it marked the third-worst July winning percentage in club history, out-pacing only the 2002 and 2007 squads (both 7-20/.259). The Rays ranked at the bottom of the AL’s July rankings in batting average (.216), OBP (.288) while out-pacing only Chicago-AL (.668) with a .673 OPS…Tampa Bay went 7-5 when scoring 4+ runs in July compared to 1-11 with three or fewer runs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — The Rays and Yankees meet for the ninth contest in a 13- game season series tonight in the Bronx…Tampa Bay holds a 5-3 edge in the season series, outscoring New York, 49-39 (+10)…six of the eight matchups have been decided by one run…New York won five straight season series from 2015-19, but the Rays have taken two of the last three since 2020, going 32-24 (.571) in that span…the Rays are 6-9 in their last 15 games at Yankee Stadium dating back to 10/3/21.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP ZACH EFLIN (11-6, 3.64)
TONIGHT’S START — The right-hander makes his 21st start of the season, including his ninth on the road…has not earned a win away from Tropicana Field since 5/14 at Yankee Stadium…in five road starts since that win, he is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA (26.2IP, 16ER).
LAST TIME OUT — Took the loss on 7/26 vs. Miami after allowing a season-high-tying five runs (also 7/16 at KC) across 4.0 innings… he departed the game following the fourth inning due to left knee discomfort.
Prior to the defeat, Eflin was 10-1 with a 2.10 ERA (68.2IP, 16ER) and a .193 (48-for-249) opponent average in his first 11 starts at Tropicana Field to open the season.
Fell to 5-8 with a 5.24 ERA (92.2IP, 54ER) in 17 career appearances (16 starts) against the Marlins.
BRONX BATTLE — Earned his lone road victory this season on 5/14 at Yankee Stadium…he worked 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out nine batters.
In three career starts against New York-AL, Eflin is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA (17.0IP, 4ER) and 20 strikeouts against four walks.
Eflin has made four starts against AL East opponents this season, going 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA (26.0IP, 9ER).
LET’S RESET — In three starts following the All-Star break, Eflin is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA (14.0IP, 10ER)…he has allowed a season-high five runs in two of the three starts after allowing 4+ runs in only three of his previous 17 starts heading into the break.
Eflin has made 46 career appearances (35 starts) post-All-Star break and is 10-19 with a 5.68 ERA (193.1IP, 122ER) and one save…in 90 career appearances before the break, all starts, he is 33-30 with a 3.92 ERA (523.1IP, 228ER).
He is 6-6 with a 5.57 ERA (95.1IP, 59ER) in 20 career appearances (17 starts) in August compared to 6-6 with a 3.82 ERA (96.2IP, 41ER) across 23 appearances (16 starts) in September.
ROAD WOES — In eight road starts this season, Eflin is 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA (43.2IP, 26ER) and a .275 (47-for-171) opponent average…in 12 home starts, he is 10-2 with a 2.60 ERA (72.2IP, 21ER) and a .207 (55-for-266) opponent average.
He is 16-32 with a 5.37 ERA (372.1IP, 222ER) and one save in 75 career appearances (69 starts) on the road compared to 31-19 with a 3.44 ERA (403.2IP, 154ER) in 72 appearances (66 starts) at home.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME — Eflin became one of four pitchers in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to earn a win in 10 of his first 11 home starts with a club, joining NYY Orlando Hernández (10-1, 1998-99), CHC Rick Sutcliffe (10-0, 1984-85) and SF Billy Pierce (11-0, 1962).
Eflin’s 2.60 ERA at Tropicana Field is the third lowest through any pitcher’s first 12 home starts with the Rays in club history, trailing Jeremy Hellickson (2.35 from 2010-2011) and Charlie Morton (2.50 in 2019).
Min. 60.0 IP, Eflin ranks among MLB leaders at home in wins (1st, 10), WHIP (1st, 0.87), walk rate (2nd, 2.9%), SO/BB ratio (2nd, 9.38), opponent OPS (3rd, .559) and ERA (6th).
QUALITY CONTROL — Eflin’s 6.82 SO/BB ratio ranks third in the majors (min. 100.0IP), trailing only SEA George Kirby (8.50) and MIA Braxton Garrett (6.88).
He has walked two or fewer batters in each of his last 23 starts since 6/14/22, tied with KC Zack Greinke and CLE Noah Syndergaard for the active streak in MLB…Eflin has issued two or fewer walks in 56 of his last 57 starts dating back to 8/29/2020.
Since the beginning of 2021, his 4.0 pct. walk rate is the lowest in the majors (min. 1,100BF), outpacing Greinke (4.6%).
TO THE LEFT, TO THE LEFT — He is holding left-handed batters to a .194 (42-for-217) average, compared to a .273 (60-for-220) mark against righthanded batters…min. 200 batters faced, his .194 opponent average against left-handed hitters is the second-lowest mark in the AL behind LAA Shohei Ohtani (.188) and sixth lowest in the majors behind MIL Corbin Burnes (.170), NYM Kodai Senga (.181), ARI Merill Kelly (.190) and CHC Marcus Stroman (.191).
NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their seven-game homestand tonight with the second game of a three-game set vs. Tampa Bay (0-1 thus far)…will also play a four-game series vs. Houston from Thurs.-Sun.…went 1-2 on their three-game road trip at Baltimore.
Have lost back-to-back games after winning five of their previous seven games.
Are in a stretch of playing six straight games against the AL East (7/28-8/2)…are 1-3 thus far.
Are also in a stretch of playing 12-of-15 games at home (7/21-8/6)…overall, are 5-4 during that stretch and 4-2 at home during that span.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees fell to the Rays, 5-1, on Monday at Yankee Stadium…RHP Jhony Brito (4.0IP, 6H, 5ER, 0BB, 4K, 4HR) made his 13th appearance (12th start) of the season and took the loss…RHP Domingo Germán (5.0IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 4K) made his first relief appearance of the season, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings…LF Jake Bauers (1-for-3, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI) homered in his second straight game as he drove in the Yankees’ only run with a solo HR in the second inning…SS Anthony Volpe (1-for-3) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (1-for-4) were the only other Yankees batters to record a hit…DH Aaron Judge (0-for-1, 3BB) recorded a season-high-tying 3BB.
PEN PALS: Yankees relievers have not allowed a run in their last 13.2 innings and have allowed just 1R/ER in their last 18.1 innings over their last five games (5H, 4BB, 22K, 1HR, 1HP).
Have posted a Major League-best 3.10 ERA (394.2IP, 136ER) this season…are the only Major League bullpen to own an ERA under 3.60…also own a Major League-best .217 opponents’ BA, rank second in HR/9.0IP (0.84) and rank fourth in WHIP (1.21). RHP Ian Hamilton has not allowed an earned run in 20 of his last 23 appearances (since 4/13), going 1-0 with one save, a 1.29 ERA (28.0IP, 4ER) and 32K in that span.
RHP Clay Holmes has not allowed a run in 28 of his last 31 appearances (since 5/6), going 4-0 with 10 saves and a 0.88 ERA (30.2IP, 3ER) in that span…his 0.88 ERA since 5/6 is the second-lowest ERA among all Major League pitchers in that span (min. 30.0IP), trailing only Baltimore’s Félix Bautista (0.49).
LHP Wandy Peralta has not allowed a run in 18 of his last 20 appearances (since 6/4), going 1-0 with one save and a 1.17 ERA (15.1IP, 2ER) over that stretch.
LEMACHINE: INF DJ LeMahieu had his season-high five-game streak of reaching base multiple times snapped on Monday (7/23-29)…was his longest such streak since a six-game streak from 7/27-8/2/22…was tied for the fourth-longest such streak by a Yankee this season, trailing Gleyber Torres’ seven-game streak from 7/8-18 and a six-game streak from 4/2-8, and Aaron Judge’s six-game stretch from 5/17-24…reached base in 12-of-22 plate appearances over that span (4H, 8BB, .545 OBP).
Is batting .288 (17-for-59) with 6R, 4 doubles, 1HR, 1RBI and 10BB in his last 17 games (since 7/6), hitting safely in 13 of those games.
Has reached base in 17 of his last 19 games (since 7/4) and 24 of his last 28 games (since 6/23).
In eight games vs. the Rays this year, has hit .300 (9-for30) with 4R, 1 double, 1RBI and 4BB.
HAWAIIAN PUNCH: INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa is batting .308 (28-for-91) with 16R, 4 doubles, 2HR, 14RBI, 14BB, 1HP, 3SF and 4SB in his last 36 games (since 6/4).
Over his last four games (since 7/25), has reached base in 8-of-15 plate appearances (4H, 3BB, 1HP, .533 OBP).
In his last 24 games (since 6/22), has hit .317/.425/.460 (20-for-63) with 11R, 3 doubles, 2HR, 13RBI, 13BB, 1HP, 3SF and 1SB in that span.
DARTH BADER: OF Harrison Bader is hitting .346 (9-for26) with 5R, 1 double, 2RBI, 1SF and 2SB in his last eight games (since 7/22).
Has reached base in nine of 11 career games vs. the Rays.
JAKE RAKES: INF/OF Jake Bauers drove in the Yankees’ only run on Monday with a solo HR in the second inning… has homered in back-to-back games for the third time in his career (also 3G from 7/29-8/1/18 and 2G from 7/13- 14/18 with Tampa Bay).
Eight of his last 11 hits (since 6/21), 11 of his last 15 hits (since 6/16) and 20 of his last 28 hits (since 5/23) have gone for extra bases (13 doubles, 7HR).
Over his last 33 games (since 5/29), has posted a .571 slugging percentage…ranks ninth in the AL in SLG in that span (min. 100 PA).
Has hit safely in nine of his last 11 games (since 6/25), batting .270/.341/.622 (10-for-37) with 6R, 4 doubles, 3HR, 6RBI, 4BB and a .963 OPS over that span.
ALL RISE: OF Aaron Judge recorded a season-high-tying 3BB on Monday vs. Tampa Bay (fourth time: 5/15 at Toronto, 5/24 vs. Baltimore and 7/28 at Baltimore)…has reached base safely in 45 of his 52 games this season, batting .297/.420/.681 (54-for-182) with 44R, 10 doubles, 20HR, 42RBI, 41BB, 3SB and a 1.102 OPS.
Has reached base multiple times in 27 of his 52 games this season…has reached base multiple times in each of his last four games (since 6/3), seven of his last nine games (since 5/28), 13 of his last 18 games (since 5/17) and 17 of his last 28 games (since 4/26).
Has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games (since 5/12)…is batting .342/.500/.924 (27-for-79) with 23R, 4 doubles, 14HR, 26RBI, 25BB and 1SB in that span.
Since returning from the injured list on Friday, has reached base in 9-of-13 plate appearances (3H, 6BB).
Has 11BB in his last eight games (since 5/29), 23BB in his last 20 games (since 5/15) and 28BB in his last 28 games (since 4/26).
Has hit at least 20HR in six of his first eight Major League seasons, becoming just the third Yankee in franchise history to do so, joining Joe DiMaggio (eight) and Mickey Mantle (seven).
Has 6HR and 9RBI over his last nine games (since 5/28), 9HR and 16RBI over his last 17 games (since 5/18), 12HR and 21RBI over his last 20 games (since 5/15) and 14HR and 26RBI over his last 22 games (since 5/13).
In his last 15 games vs. the Rays (since 6/22/22), has hit .321/.409/.679 (18-for-56) with 12R, 2 doubles, 6HR, 13RBI, 9BB and 1SF.
Is batting .341/.442/.841 (15-for-44) with 17R, 1 double, 7HR, 9RBI and 8BB in the first inning this year…his .341 BA in the first inning is the fourth-highest in the AL and eighth-highest in the Majors (min. 50PA).
His 10 game-winning RBI are tied for the fifth-most in the AL (tied for seventh in the Majors) and his 20HR are tied for the seventh-most in the AL.
GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres has hit safely in 16 of his last 19 games (since 7/6), hitting .295 (23-for-78) with 10R, 1 double, 1 triple, 3HR, 8RBI, 3BB, 3SF and 1SB in that span…has also hit safely in 21 of his last 26 games (since 6/29) and 23 of his last 29 games (since 6/25).
Has reached base in 25 of his last 30 games (since 6/24) and 38 of his last 44 games (since 6/8-G1).
Is batting .333/.367/.500 (28-for-84) with 11R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3HR, 9RBI and 5BB in the first inning this season…his 28H in the first inning are tied for third in the AL and his .333 BA is sixth in the AL (min. 50PA).
FAN-TASTIC: The Yankees have averaged 41,448 fans per home gate this season, the highest home average attendance in the American League and the third-highest in the Majors, trailing only Los Angeles-NL (48,152) and St. Louis (42,227).
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: INF Anthony Volpe has reached base in 11 of his last 13 starts (since 7/15).
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP CARLOS RODÓN (1-3, 5.75 ERA)
LHP Carlos Rodón will make his fifth start of the season tonight vs. Tampa Bay…the 30-year-old will pitch on extended five days’ rest due to Thursday’s team off day…last pitched on Wednesday vs. the Mets, earning his first win as a Yankee after allowing just 1ER over 5.2IP (4H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR, 1HP)…made his Yankees debut on 7/7 vs. Chicago-NL at Yankee Stadium, recording the loss despite allowing 2ER in 5.1IP (4H, 2BB, 2K, 1HR, 1WP)…was returned from rehab and reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to the game…missed 88 team games…began the season on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 3/27) with a left forearm strain and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on 6/1…finished sixth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2022 after going 14-8 with one complete game and a 2.88 ERA (178.0IP, 131H, 59R/57ER, 52BB, 237K, 12HR) over 31 starts with the San Francisco Giants…the two-time All-Star (2021 with Chicago-AL and 2022 with San Francisco) has finished in the top-six of Cy Young voting twice (fifth in 2021 and sixth in 2022)…over the previous two seasons (2021-22), went 27-13 with two complete games and a 2.67 ERA (310.2IP, 222H, 98R/92ER, 88BB, 422K, 25HR) in 55 starts…over that span, led the Majors in K/9.0IP (12.23) and opponents’ SLG (.307), ranked second in opponents’ BA (.196) and opponents’ OPS (.567), third in WAR among pitchers (11.1, FanGraphs), fourth in ERA (2.67), opponents’ OBP (.259) and double-digit strikeout games (16), fifth in HR/9.0IP (0.72), tied for sixth in wins and seventh in strikeouts…was originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign and went on to play three seasons at North Carolina State University (2012-14)…was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (third overall) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft…signed a six-year Major League contract with the Yankees extending through the 2028 season on 12/21/22.
LAST TIME OUT: Made his fourth start of the season on Wednesday vs. the Mets, earning his first win as a Yankee after allowing just 1ER over 5.2IP (4H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR, 1HP)… marked his first start this season in which he did not allow a HR.
VS. TAMPA BAY: In four career starts vs. the Rays (all with the White Sox), is 0-1 with a 4.19 ERA (19.1IP, 19H, 10R/9ER, 15BB, 20K, 1HR)…will mark his first start vs. an AL East opponent with the Yankees and his first start vs. Tampa Bay since 4/8/19 at Guaranteed Rate Field (L, 4.2IP, 8H, 4ER, 5BB, 9K, 0HR).
HOME SWEET HOME: Will make his third home start this season…earned his first win as a Yankee in his second home start on Wednesday vs. the Mets, allowing just 1ER
over 5.2IP (4H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR, 1HP)…made his Yankees debut on 7/7 vs. Chicago-NL at Yankee Stadium, recording the loss despite allowing 2ER in 5.1IP (4H, 2BB, 2K, 1HR, 1WP).
In 75 career games (73 starts) at home, has gone 30-21 with a 3.49 ERA (412.1IP, 356H, 171R/160ER, 156BB, 467K, 44HR).
Over his previous two seasons at home (2021-22), went 14-5 with a 2.07 ERA (147.2IP, 99H, 35R/34ER, 41BB, 206K, 9HR) in 26 starts…opposing batters hit .187 (99-for-530)…allowed 2R-or-fewer in 22 of those starts, 1R-or-fewer in 18 of those starts and seven of those starts were scoreless.
Made four career starts at Yankee Stadium as the opposing starting pitcher, going 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA (25.0IP, 12H, 6ER, 11BB, 24K, 1HR)…all four starts were quality starts.
Went 8-2 with a 1.93 ERA (84.0IP, 61H, 19R/18ER, 26BB, 121K, 5HR) in 15 starts at home in 2022 with San Francisco…opponents batted .199/.263/.301 (61-for-306)…
10 of his 15 starts at Oracle Park in 2022 were quality outings.
His 1.93 home ERA last season was the second-lowest by a qualified Giants starter in a single season since Oracle Park opened in 2000, trailing only Tim Lincecum’s 1.88 home ERA in 2009…was also the fourth-lowest ERA at home in the Majors.
