TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
BREAKING OUT THE BATS — Tampa Bay opened its three-game set in San Francisco last night with a 10-2 victory…RHP Tyler Glasnow improved to 6-3 after tossing 6.0
innings of one-run ball, scattering three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts… LHP Jacob Lopez earned a 3.0-inning save in his MLB debut, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts…3B Curtis Mead (3-for-5, 2R) set a career high with three hits…C Christian Bethancourt (3-for-5, HR, 2RBI, 2R) also matched a career high with three hits (13x, last: 6/30 at SEA) while homering for the first time since 5/20 vs. Milwaukee.
The Rays 18 hits set a season high and were their most since recording 18 hits on 6/8/22 vs. St. Louis…all nine Tampa Bay batters recorded at least one hit, marking the second time the club has accomplished the feat this season (also 6/23 vs. KC).
Tyler Glasnow has struck out 7+ batters in nine consecutive starts dating back to 6/20, the longest active run in the majors…it is the second-longest such streak in club history behind an 11-game run by Shane McClanahan (5/11-7/8, 2022)… he now has 467 career strikeouts, tied with Matt Garza and Ryan Yarbrough for ninth most in franchise history.
LHP Jacob Lopez became the second Ray this season to record a save in his MLB debut, joining RHP Braden Bristo (3.0IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 4SO) on 4/13 vs. BOS…since saves became an official stat in 1969, Tampa joins the 2019 Arizona Diamondbacks as the only clubs to have two players record 3+ inning saves in their MLB debuts in a single season.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS — Prior to tonight’s game, the Rays placed OF Manuel Margot on the 10-day injured list and recalled INF Jonathan Aranda from Triple-A Durham…in 24 games since being optioned to Durham on 7/17, he slashed .330/.435/.681 (31-for-94) with six doubles, 9 HR and 25 RBI.
TAMPA BAY TALK — The Rays are 10-6 in their last 16 games following an MLB-worst 5-15 (.250) stretch from 7/1-26…they are 3.0 games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East after spending 113 consecutive days atop the division from 3/30-7/21.
Following last night’s victory, the Rays have won seven consecutive series openers, their longest streak since winning 11 straight from 4/21-5/26…their 27-12 (.692)
record in series-opening games is tied with the Braves (27-12) for second best in MLB behind the Dodgers (27-11/.711).
The Rays, who led the majors with 109 games played from March through July, have six off days in August (four remaining), more than any other major league club…Milwaukee is next closest with five scheduled off days.
DYNAMITE DÍAZ — Yandy Díaz has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games dating back to 7/30, slashing .383/.439/.583 (23-for-60) with six doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored.
He ranks among AL leaders in batting average (1st, .323), OBP (2nd, .402), OPS (2nd, .913), slugging percentage (6th, .511), runs (7th, 71) and hits (T7th, 127).
He has recorded an RBI in a season-high four consecutive games…it is tied for the second-longest such streak of his career (6G, 2x, last: 6/12-27, 2019).
In his last nine Interleague games since 7/6, he is batting .459 (17-for-37) with three doubles, one HR and 8 RBI…his .336 (43-for-128) Interleague batting average ranks third in the majors (min. 115AB) behind MIA Luis Arraez (.359) and LAD Freddie Freeman (.350).
His 15 games with 3+ hits lead the AL and are tied with Freeman for third most in the majors, trailing ATL Ronald Acuña Jr. and Arraez (17 each).
RANDY GETS ROLLING — Randy Arozarena has hit safely in each of his last eight games dating back to 8/6, batting .323 (10-for-31) with two doubles, 4 RBI and three steals while drawing four walks against four strikeouts.
The eight-game run is his third-longest hitting streak of the season behind a 10- game stretch from 3/30-4/10 and a nine-game streak from 4/28-5/8…it is tied for the third-longest active run in the AL behind KC Maikel Garcia (16G) and DET Kerry Carpenter (10G).
In 13 games leading into his current hitting streak from 7/20-8/5, he hit .085 (4- for-47) with one HR, 3 RBI and six walks against 17 strikeouts.
LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT — Josh Lowe has hit safely in each of his last six games since 8/6, batting .348 (8-for-23) with one double, one triple, 2 RBI and two stolen bases… the six-game hitting streak is tied for the second-longest run of his career (3x, last: 6/22-30) behind an 11-game run from 7/24/22-4/4/23.
Lowe has been successful on 24 of his 26 stolen base attempts (92.3%)…min. 25 stolen base attempts, his 92.3 stolen base pct. is tied with AZ Corbin Carroll for the
second-best mark in the majors behind MIL Christian Yelich (25-for-27, 92.6%).
He is batting .306 (30-for-98) with six doubles, one triple, 5 HR, 19 RBI and 11 steals in 29 Interleague games this season.
Min. 30 AB, his .436 (17-for-39) batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs ranks third in MLB behind MIA Luis Arraez (.500) and TEX Jonah Heim (.487)…in limited action last season, he hit .188 (3-for-16) in such situations.
HITTIN’ HAROLD — Harold Ramírez is batting .415 (17-for-41) over his last 14 games…he hit .182 (6-for-33) with one double in his previous 13 games from 7/1-7/25.
His three hits last night matched a career high (27x, last 8/4 at DET)…his triple last night also snapped a career-long 21-game streak without an extra-base hit.
Ramírez is 8-for-13 (.615) as a pinch-hitter this year, the highest mark in the majors (min. 10AB), ahead BAL Ryan McKenna (.500).
INTERLEAGUE INTEL — the Rays are 21-18 (.538) in Interleague play this season…Tampa Bay began the season 15-7 (.682) against NL opponents but has gone 6-11 (.353) since.
BATS GET GOING — Tampa Bay has recorded 12+ hits in six of its last 14 games dating back to 7/30 while scoring 5+ runs in eight of the 14 contests.
In 12 games this month, the Rays are batting .319 (30-for-94) with runners in scoring position, the highest mark in the AL and fourth in MLB behind Atlanta (.363), Los Angeles-NL (.341) and Milwaukee (.320)…the Rays hit .197 with runners in scoring position in July (24G), the third-lowest mark in the majors, ahead of San Francisco (.180) and New York-AL (.193).
BRILLIANCE ON THE BASEPATHS — The Rays 130 stolen bases are second-most in the majors behind Cincinnati (134SB)…Tampa Bay is the only club in the majors to have three players with 20+ steals, ahead of AZ, CIN, NYM, PHI, SD and SEA with two players each.
BAY AREA BATTLE — Tampa Bay and San Francisco continue a three-game series tonight at Oracle Park…the clubs last met in 2019, with the Rays taking two of three from the Giants from 4/5-7 in San Francisco.
It marks Tampa Bay’s third trip to San Francisco in club history, following three-game sets from 6/18-20, 2002 and 4/5-7, 2019
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP ZACK LITTELL (2-3, 4.10)
TONIGHT’S START — The sixth-year veteran makes his seventh start/20th appearance of the season against his former club tonight at Oracle Park, including his fifth start/12th outing on the road…this marks his fifth “true” start of the season after serving in an opener/relief capacity to begin the year…has gone 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA (22.1IP, 6ER) in five appearances (4GS) since the All-Star break, striking out 17 while issuing just one walk.
LAST TIME OUT — Littell tossed his second consecutive quality start but shouldered the loss in the Rays 5-2 defeat to the Cardinals on 8/10 at Tropicana Field (6.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 5SO, HR)…was tagged for a two-run homer in the fourth inning by Andrew Knizner before Alec Burleson added an RBI-single in the sixth…received zero runs of support after enjoying 12.27 runs of support per 9.0 IP in his first five starts…his five strikeouts marked a career high, while the three runs allowed signaled a season high.
BACK IN THE BAY — Littell will be making his first career appearance opposite the Giants after spending each of the last two seasons as a member of the club (2021-22)…went 5-2 with a 4.68 ERA (50.0IP, 26ER) over 50 outings (1GS) at Oracle Park during his stint with San Francisco… his career 50 appearances in this ballpark are his most at any venue, ahead of Minnesota’s Target Field (26).
He has pitched to an 0-2 record and a 5.31 ERA (20.1IP, 12ER) in 11 Interleague games this season, including a 4.50 ERA (10.0IP, 5ER) across three starts; the Rays are 1-2 in those games…this includes a 2.08 ERA (4.1IP, 1ER) over three games (1GS) vs. NL West opponents.
ODDS AND ENDS — Littell’s 2.42 ERA (22.1IP, 6ER) since the All-Star break ranks ninth in the AL (min. 20.0IP)…he has traditionally been at his best in the second half of the season — in his career, he is 2-5 with a 5.27 ERA (94.0IP, 55ER) in 82 appearances (5GS) before the All-Star break compared to 13-3 with a 2.76 ERA (111.0IP, 34ER) in 76 outings (5GS) following the break.
He is 2-2 with a 2.96 ERA (24.1IP, 8ER) in six starts this season and 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA (17.1IP, 11ER) in 13 relief appearances…this includes a 2.66 ERA (20.1IP, 5ER) in his four “true” starts (i.e. excluding starts as an opener).
The middle of the opposing order (4-7 hitters) are batting .351 (27- for-77) against him compared to .234 (22-for-94) vs. all other spots in the lineup.
NO FREE PASSES — Over his last 11 appearances spanning 33.0 innings, Littell has walked just one batter (Riley Greene, 8/4 at DET)…his 0.27 BB/9.0 IP during that span (since 6/21) is the second-lowest mark the majors (min. 30.0IP), trailing only SF Ross Stripling (0.23 BB/9.0IP)…over that timeframe, Littell has thrown 69.9 pct. of his pitches for strikes, the third-highest percentage in the majors (min. 400 pitches thrown) behind teammate Zach Eflin (71.6%) and KC Ryan Yarbrough (70.4%), and has had only three 3-0 counts over 135 batters faced.
THE ARSENAL — Littell primarily relies on a fastball/slider combination, throwing one of those two offerings 71.8 pct. of the time…added a sweeper to his repertoire this past offseason and has recorded a 30.8 pct. whiff rate on the offering…debuted his sinker on 8/4 and has a 12.2 pct. usage rate on the pitch over his last two starts…previously utilized a sinker as part of his five-pitch mix during his rookie season in 2018 with Minnesota.
In his most recent outing on 8/10 vs. St. Louis, he held Cardinals batters to a 1-for-10 (.100) clip on his four-seam fastball…in eight games from 6/29-8/4, opponents hit .378 (14-for-37) against his four-seamer.
On the season, opponents are batting .310 (35-for-113) against his four-seam fastball/slider and .208 (11-for-53) vs. his splitter/sweeper.
SEASON RUNDOWN — Littell signed a minor league contract with Texas on 2/3 and was a non-roster invitee to Rangers Spring Training…made eight Cactus League appearances before opening the season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA (12.0IP, 3ER) in eight relief outings… was dealt to Boston in exchange for cash considerations on 5/5…after pitching in two games for the Red Sox, he was designated for assignment on 5/10 before being claimed by the Rays off waivers on 5/12.
Littell made four appearances between 5/16-22 before the Rays placed him on the 15-day injured list on 5/24 with right shoulder fatigue…completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham from 6/6-11 and was activated on 6/14…has recorded a 3.31 ERA (35.1IP, 13ER) since returning from the IL compared to an 8.10 ERA (3.1IP, 3ER) in four games as a Ray prior to his IL stint.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Giants and Rays play game two of this three game series tonight…yesterday, the Giants allowed a season-high 18 hits in their 10-3 loss…SF has lost three-of-four games on this current six game homestand against Texas (1-2) and Tampa Bay (0-1)…dating to August 5, the Giants have dropped seven of their last nine games and are averaging just 3.3 runs per game over that stretch (2.7 runs/game in the losses).
HIGH FASHION: Since it’s Tuesday, the Giants will don their City Connect uniforms tonight…since their introduction in 2021, the Giants are 24-8 with a +47 run differential in games where they are worn…this year, the Giants are 7-2 in the “Creamsicle” jerseys, having won three-of-their-last four in them.
OH, HELLO: The Giants and Rays are meeting at Oracle Park for the first time since 2019…SF is 8-8 against the Rays all-time, including a 3-4 record here at Oracle Park…according to Stats, LLC, the Giants 16 games played against the Rays all-time are the fewest in MLB…the Cubs and Brewers have played the next fewest games vs. Tampa Bay at 19 games apiece.
AGAINST THE BEST…: SF has the fourth-best record in MLB versus teams that are currently .500 or better at 29-25 (.537)… this is the second of the six straight series’ the Giants are facing an opponent above .500…SF’s remaining opponents have a combined win percentage of .522 (fifth-hardest in MLB).
ZONING GUIDELINES: Entering play today, the Giants have had 472 out-of-zone pitches called strikes when the club is on defense, which is 42 more than the next closest team at 430:
AL BARRAGE: Today continues the Giants’ fourth-straight Interleague series and the sixth in their last seven series… including SF’s make-up game against Detroit on July 24, seven of the Giants last eight opponents have been American League foes…SF is 2-7 in its last eight Interleague games and 17-24 vs. the American League overall…conversely, the Giants are 46-32 (.590) versus the NL this season…after this series against the Giants have one more Interleague series against Cleveland from Sept. 11-13 at Oracle Park.
HE’S HEATING UP?:OF Michael Conforto’s is hitting .500 (7-for14) with two homers and four walks over his last five games… he’s reached base in nine of his last 12 plate appearances, covering his last three games…Conforto’s 15 home runs are tied with teammates IF J.D. Davis and IF Wilmer Flores for the team lead and his 54 RBI are the second-most on the club.
FEATURING THE BULLPEN: RHP Jakob Junis will open for the Giants tonight in what will be his second start this season… his last start came on July 31 against Arizona when he threw 3.0-scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts…over his last four outings, he’s allowed just one run in 7.2 innings of work (1.17 ERA)…RHP Sean Manaea could be featured as a bulk inning reliever tonight as his last outing was on August 9 at Los Angeles-AL (4.0ip)…over his last five appearances, Manaea has posted a 0.77 ERA (1er, 11.2ip) and a 0.51 WHIP with 14 strikeouts to just two walks.
RISP MANAGEMENT: The Giants are just 3-for-their-last-37 (.081) with runners in scoring position dating to August 9…since July 1, SF’s .191 average (51×267) with RISP is the lowest in MLB after having MLB’s third-highest average (.288) from the start of the season through the end of June…despite the recent struggles, the Giants still hold onto the 11th-best average with RISP this season (.261).
ON THE BASES: The Giants have stolen 46 bases this season, the second-fewest in the Majors ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (43)…according to SIS, the Giants are the 18th best team going 1st to 3rd, with a success rate of 32% (65 of 203).
PAT THE BAT: C Patrick Bailey is having a great month after struggling at the plate in July…he has increased his OBP from .205 in July to a .405 in August (+.200)…Bailey’s .405 on-base percentage is the third highest among rookies in August (min. 3.1 PA per team game in August) (Stats, LLC).
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: The Giants have played much better at home this year where they have posted a 34-27 (.557) record, compared to a 29-29 (.500) record on the road…SF’s recent struggles have mostly been away from Oracle Park where they are 1-10 over their last 11 road games, dating back to July 19 with a -28 run differential…in comparison they have won 10 of their last 15 home games, dating back to July 8 with a -1 run differential…SF’s .557 winning percentage at home is the 10th best in the Majors.
WADE’S WORLD, PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT: OF Wade Meckler made his Major League debut last night starting in CF…the 23-year-old tore through the Giants minor league system, slashing .379/.463/.522 with five home runs, 15 doubles, 46 RBI, 39 walks and just 43 strikeouts in 69 games between High-A Eugene (20 games), Double-A Richmond (39 games) and Triple-A (10 games)…his .379 average and .463 OBP were the best among qualified full-season minor leaguers…the Anaheim-native was drafted in the 8th round of the 2022 Draft out of Oregon State.
0-100, REAL QUICK: Meckler became the first member of the Giants 2022 draft class to reach the Major Leagues and just the fourth player from last year’s draft called up by any team… the other three have all been called up by the Angels (RHP Ben Joyce, RHP Víctor Mederos and IF Zach Neto).
