Daily News 19

Tag: Tampa Bay Rays

  • Braves Load Up on Right-Handed Batters Against Nick Martinez, Rays

    Braves Load Up on Right-Handed Batters Against Nick Martinez, Rays

    Braves Lineup Shakeup vs. Rays: Platoon Logic Questioned

    The Atlanta Braves appear to be chasing platoon advantages that the underlying numbers don’t clearly support. In a move that echoes recent roster decisions, manager Brian Snitker has loaded the lineup with right-handed bats against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Martín Pérez, benching left-handed hitters Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies, and Mike Yastrzemski in favor of Lane Thomas, Brewer Hicklen, and Ha-Seong Kim.

    Nick Martinez Platoon Splits Analyzed

    Facing Braves right-hander Nick Martinez, the Tampa Bay lineup features added right-handed options Ryan Vilade and Nick Madrigal, though left-handed hitters Chandler Simpson and Cedric Mullins remain in the nine.

    A wide view of Martinez’s 2026 season statistics reveals a muddy platoon picture. Left-handed batters have posted a .283 wOBA against him, while right-handers sit at .310. Expected ERA (xERA) backs that split: 3.78 vs. lefties, 4.89 vs. righties.

    However, fielding-independent metrics tell a different story. Martinez has a 3.96 FIP and 4.50 xFIP against left-handed hitters, nearly identical to his 3.94 FIP and 4.45 xFIP against right-handers. “He seems more platoon-neutral than anything else.”

    Considering that Lane Thomas himself performs worse against right-handed pitching, the strategic rationale is questionable. As the author noted, “I’m not a huge fan of this, but whatever.”

    Career Trends Support Neutral Profile

    Expanding the lens to Martinez’s full career reinforces the platoon-neutral conclusion. His career wOBA-against is within .001 between left- and right-handed batters. His career xERA is marginally lower against lefties (4.19 to 4.39), while FIP (4.53 vs. 4.45) and xFIP (4.66 vs. 4.49) show only a marginal split in the expected direction.

    “So, I wouldn’t do this, but the Braves are.”

    Rays Counter with Right-Handed Bats

    On the other side, the Rays are presenting Pérez with a few extra right-handed looks. The lineup construction mirrors Atlanta’s approach, though Tampa Bay retains left-handed regulars Simpson and Mullins.

    Batter-vs-Pitcher History: Familiarity on Both Sides

    Historical matchups add another layer, though the sample sizes remain small. Every Braves batter except Hicklen and Drake Baldwin has faced Martinez at least twice. Matt Olson leads the group with 19 plate appearances and a dominant .508 wOBA / .384 xwOBA. Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mauricio Dubón have also produced strong results in limited chances. Collectively, Atlanta’s active roster owns a .351 wOBA / .336 xwOBA in 53 PAs against Martinez.

    The Rays’ familiarity with Pérez is comparable. Six of their nine hitters have faced the veteran lefty. Yandy Díaz owns 32 career PAs with a .468 wOBA / .358 xwOBA. Mullins has struggled, posting roughly a .210-.220 wOBA/xwOBA in 14 PAs. As a group, Tampa Bay’s lineup carries a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA across 64 PAs against Pérez.

    “Collectively, it’s 64 PAs with a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA, so basically there’s a similar level of familiarity and performance in that sample by both of these teams against the scheduled starter.”

  • Aaron Judge Returns, Reviving Yankees’ 2026 World Series Hopes

    Aaron Judge Returns, Reviving Yankees’ 2026 World Series Hopes

    For a franchise that measures success in championships, 17 years is an eternity. The New York Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009, a drought that would be insignificant for most organizations but feels massive for a club that owns 27 championships. Every season since has ended with the same question lingering over the Bronx: Is this finally the year?

    As the 2026 regular season enters its final stretch, the answer remains uncertain. But for the first time in months, the Yankees have regained the one player who could make that dream a reality.

    Aaron Judge Returns to Yankees Lineup

    The Yankees captain was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Monday and is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies. It marks the end of a frustrating absence that began when a right rib stress fracture sidelined him on May 31.

    For Judge, the return is arriving later than he ever wanted.

    “I wanted to be back June 1, but that didn’t happen,” Aaron recently said.

    Impact of Judge’s Absence on Yankees Season

    His absence fundamentally changed the Yankees’ season. When Judge last appeared in a game, New York owned a 36-23 record and looked like one of the American League’s strongest contenders. Without him, the club went 45-39, remaining competitive but losing much of the offensive firepower that makes it a legitimate championship threat.

    Manager Aaron Boone didn’t hide the impact of losing the three-time American League MVP.

    “We’ve had long stretches where the offense has struggled. I think a big part of that is not having your guy,” Boone said.

    The numbers support that assessment. While the Yankees managed to stay in the playoff picture, they looked far less dangerous without the most feared hitter in baseball anchoring the middle of the lineup.

    That reality makes Judge’s return about far more than a September boost. It may determine whether the Yankees are merely a playoff team or a true World Series contender.

    AL East Race and Wild Card Implications

    As things stand, the Yankees are firmly in the American League playoff race. Entering Judge’s return, New York trails the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays by four games while holding a narrow lead over the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card standings. That means the Yankees are still fighting on two fronts: chasing an AL East title while also trying to secure the best possible Wild Card position.

    If New York fails to catch Tampa Bay, a postseason showdown with Boston remains one possible outcome. The two rivals are currently separated by only a few games in the standings, making a Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card series a realistic scenario as October approaches.

    However, playoff seeding remains far from settled with several weeks left in the regular season.

    Judge’s MVP-Caliber Production and Defensive Return

    That’s where Judge becomes indispensable. Before the injury, he was once again performing at an MVP level. His combination of power, patience and leadership makes him the engine of New York’s offense.

    Opposing pitchers alter their entire game plan because of his presence. Teammates receive better pitches to hit. The lineup becomes deeper and more dangerous from top to bottom.

    The Yankees also expect Judge to return as their everyday right fielder rather than serving exclusively as a designated hitter. Throughout August, he steadily increased his workload, progressing from batting-practice sessions to live pitching, running bases and outfield drills. Boone has suggested the club may initially limit his innings to help rebuild stamina, but the expectation is that Judge will quickly resume a major role.

  • Mets’ Juan Soto Makes Career Announcement After Returning From Injury

    Mets’ Juan Soto Makes Career Announcement After Returning From Injury

    Juan Soto returned from the injured list Saturday and made his way back onto the field Monday night, even though he was not in the New York Mets’ starting lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays.

    After receiving a planned rest day from interim manager Andy Green, Soto entered as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning with two runners in scoring position. He struck out to end the Mets’ final scoring opportunity, then remained in the game to play left field.

    The Mets held on for a 3-2 win at Tropicana Field, improving to 62-76 and remaining fifth in the National League East. Tampa Bay fell to 82-55 but stayed atop the American League East.

    Juan Soto Unveils First Under Armour Signature Cleat

    Before the game, Soto announced a major development away from baseball. Shortly after returning from his calf injury, he used Instagram to unveil his first player-exclusive cleat in partnership with longtime sponsor Under Armour.

    The shoe is called the UA Yard Icon “La Fiera.” Soto has worn Under Armour cleats throughout his career, and the brand has sponsored him since 2018, when he played for the Washington Nationals.

    Soto will appear at Brooklyn’s City Line Park on Thursday, Sept. 3, to celebrate the launch. The first 75 fans in the meet-and-greet line will receive a photo with Soto, while customers who purchase La Fiera merchandise will receive an event-exclusive poster.

    The Mets do not play Thursday, giving Soto a full day to meet with fans before the series resumes. His Instagram announcement was posted Monday and had received nearly 9,000 likes within approximately 16 hours.

    Soto is batting .282 with 22 home runs and 54 RBIs this season. He missed 31 games with a Grade 2 strain in his left calf before returning Saturday.

    Mets Make Several Roster Moves

    New York’s roster changed by the end of Monday’s game. The Baltimore Orioles claimed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the Mets, ending his time in New York and saving the club approximately $5 million.

    Robert had batted .267 with six home runs over his previous 20 games. The Mets recalled outfielder Nick Morabito from Triple-A Syracuse to take his roster spot. Morabito is ranked as the organization’s No. 13 prospect.

    Right-hander Justin Hagenman also joined the active roster as MLB rosters expanded to 28 players league-wide Tuesday. Hagenman is scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Rays.

    Mark Vientos returned from the injured list Monday after missing time with a fractured right hand. The injury had sidelined him since July 9, and he homered in his first game back.

    Source: sports.yahoo.com

  • Mets Series Preview: New York Mets Travel to Florida for Matchup With Tampa Bay Rays

    Mets Series Preview: New York Mets Travel to Florida for Matchup With Tampa Bay Rays

    The New York Mets (61-76) continue their difficult stretch against first-place opponents when they travel to Tampa for a three-game series against the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays (82-54).

    The teams last met in June 2025, when Tampa Bay swept the Mets at Citi Field. The Rays also swept the 2024 series in May 2024 at Tropicana Field, before the Mets used the power of Grimace and OMG to fuel their unforgettable comeback and postseason run.

    Mets struggle against Astros despite Juan Soto’s return

    For the third consecutive series, the Mets faced a first-place team. After losing two of three to the AL Central-leading White Sox in Chicago and two of three to the NL Central-leading Brewers, New York could not overcome the AL West-leading Astros despite Houston’s middling record.

    The Mets bookended the series with losses, falling 3-1 on Friday night and 6-3 on Sunday afternoon. They won 6-2 on Saturday behind Nolan McLean’s outstanding performance and a terrific offensive showing from Jared Young, who drove in three runs and collected three of the team’s hits.

    Overall, the Mets struggled with runners in scoring position. They went 0-for-11 in their two losses and 4-for-12 in their victory, finishing the series 4-for-23 in those situations against Houston. New York left 16 runners on base across the three games.

    The Mets did receive an offensive boost from the unexpected return of Juan Soto, who did not require a rehabilitation assignment after missing 31 games with a Grade 2 strain in his left calf. Soto delivered the go-ahead hit in Saturday’s victory after fouling a ball off his injured calf. On Sunday, he followed Francisco Lindor’s leadoff home run with a first-inning homer of his own. Soto finished the series 2-for-7 with a walk and two RBIs.

    Although the Mets’ position in the standings makes the result largely academic, watching the team with Soto in the lineup is preferable to the alternative.

    Francisco Lindor climbs Mets’ home run list

    For those tracking Mets history and the franchise’s home run rankings, Lindor’s Sunday home run was the 155th of his career with New York. That moved him past Dave Kingman for sixth place on the team’s all-time list. Lindor had tied Kingman with his home run in Tuesday’s win over the Brewers.

    Howard Johnson is next on the list, with 192 home runs as a Met. Assuming Lindor remains in New York, as appears extremely likely, it is difficult to envision him passing Johnson next season unless he finishes this year especially strongly and enjoys a healthy, power-filled 2027 campaign. That projection also assumes a full season unaffected by a potential lockout.

    More likely, if Lindor plays out his contract in New York, he will move into the top five sometime during the 2028 season. With five years remaining on his contract, Lindor could also eventually pass Johnson and Mike Piazza’s 220 home runs, although health and other circumstances will play a role.

    Rays enter series on four-game winning streak

    Tampa Bay enters the series after sweeping the Padres at Tropicana Field, extending its winning streak to four games. The victory increased the Rays’ lead over the Yankees to 4.5 games as Tampa Bay tries to hold off New York, which has recently begun to make a push in the standings.

    The Rays are tied with the Braves and Dodgers for the second-most wins in baseball, trailing only the Brewers. Tampa Bay and Milwaukee are the only two teams with winning percentages above .600 this season, thanks in part to the Rays’ 54 losses compared with 55 each for Atlanta and Los Angeles.

    Tampa Bay is led primarily by its offense, which ranks first in the American League with a .733 OPS and a 105 wRC+. The Rays do not hit many home runs—their 142 rank 10th among AL teams—and their 616 runs are sixth in the league. They do, however, avoid strikeouts, posting an 18.6% strikeout rate that leads the AL.

    The Rays’ starting rotation has a 3.57 ERA, third in the American League, and a 3.78 FIP, fourth among AL teams. Their bullpen is the roster’s main weakness, with a 4.06 ERA entering Monday that ranks eighth in the league.

    Junior Caminero leads Tampa Bay’s offense

    The Mets just faced Yordan Alvarez, who is expected to run away with the AL MVP award. Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero should not be far behind in the voting and is close to Alvarez in two of the three Triple Crown categories.

    Caminero enters the series with 37 home runs and 87 RBIs, ranking second and third in the AL, respectively. He is batting .282/.369/.539 with a 149 wRC+ and 4.3 fWAR in 136 games and has been, by far, the Rays’ best hitter this season.

    His teammate Chandler Simpson is also chasing Alvarez for the AL batting title. Simpson ranks second with a .309 average in 128 games and is hitting .309/.338/.363. He has not hit a home run, but his speed has made him an impact player. His 37 stolen bases lead the American League.

    Yandy Díaz is third in the AL with a .303 batting average and is hitting .303/.371/.465 with 20 home runs and a 134 wRC+ in 131 games. Former Mets player Cedric Mullins is also with Tampa Bay this season and is batting .206/.297/.355 with 14 home runs, 18 stolen bases and an 80 wRC+ in 119 games.

    Mets-Rays pitching matchups

    Monday, August 31: Robert Stock vs. Ian Seymour, 6:40 p.m. EDT on SNY

    Stock (2026): 20.2 IP, 21 K, 13 BB, 2 HR, 7.40 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 182 ERA-

    Stock was hit hard in his last start, but even with Johan Tong nearing a seven-inning no-hitter in the minors, he retained his rotation spot for another turn. The Brewers scored early and often, tagging the right-hander for seven earned runs on a season-high 10 hits over four innings. Stock struck out two, walked two and allowed one home run in the loss. His days in the rotation appear numbered unless he can rebound quickly in Monday night’s start.

    Seymour (2026): 107.0 IP, 128 K, 32 BB, 19 HR, 4.21 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 100 ERA-

    Seymour will make his 12th start of the season alongside 30 relief appearances. The left-hander last entered in the eighth inning and finished Tampa Bay’s game against the Tigers, taking the loss after allowing four runs—three earned—on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He did not walk a batter, struck out five and surrendered one home run, taking his fifth loss of the season.

    Tuesday, September 1: Sean Manaea vs. Freddy Peralta, 6:40 p.m. EDT on SNY

    Manaea (2026): 122.2 IP, 120 K, 40 BB, 20 HR, 4.55 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 112 ERA-

    Manaea had been excellent in his previous two starts until struggling the third time through the opposing lineup. He was hit hard in his latest outing against the Brewers, allowing six earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk over 5 2/3 innings.

    He did well to reach the sixth inning given the early damage, helping preserve the bullpen. Still, it was his first failure to complete six innings since July 18, ending a streak of six consecutive starts. Manaea has been a recent bright spot after a difficult start to the year and will look to finish the season strongly while building momentum before the final year of his contract in 2027.

    Peralta (2026): 141.0 IP, 133 K, 54 BB, 22 HR, 5.11 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 125 ERA-

    Peralta has actually struggled more since leaving the Mets, adding to the frustration of his 2026 season. The former Met has made five starts since being traded to Tampa Bay, posting a 5.60 ERA and a 4.88 FIP over 27 1/3 innings.

    He is coming off his best start with the Rays, throwing six shutout innings against the Tigers to earn his sixth win of the season and his first with Tampa Bay. Peralta scattered two hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk. In his previous start, he worked seven innings against the Orioles but allowed five earned runs on seven hits and took the loss.

    Wednesday, September 2: Christian Scott vs. Shane McClanahan, 6:40 p.m. EDT on SNY

    Scott (2026): 94.2 IP, 113 K, 44 BB, 10 HR, 3.80 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 93 ERA-

    Scott delivered a solid performance through five innings against the Astros before running into trouble in the sixth and taking the loss. He allowed one hit, walked two and did not give up a run through the first five innings. After recording the first out in the sixth, he issued three consecutive walks, ending his night.

    Nate Lavender relieved Scott and allowed all three inherited runners to score, damaging the right-hander’s final line. Scott finished with five walks and has now issued nine free passes over nine innings in his last two starts. He endured a difficult August, finishing the month with a 6.04 ERA and a 4.54 FIP over 25 1/3 innings.

    McClanahan (2026): 113.0 IP, 103 K, 38 BB, 9 HR, 3.19 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 76 ERA-

    McClanahan has taken a long road back after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and missing all of 2024. He then missed the entire 2025 season because of significant nerve irritation that prevented him from pitching.

    The left-hander enters the series with a 3.19 ERA and a 3.41 FIP, both well within his career norms. His ERA ranks ninth among AL starting pitchers with at least 110 innings. McClanahan earned a win in his last start against the Padres after allowing four runs—three earned—on three hits over 5 2/3 innings.

    Source: www.amazinavenue.com

  • Freddy Peralta Faces Mets for First Time Since Trade to Rays

    Freddy Peralta Faces Mets for First Time Since Trade to Rays

    Freddy Peralta is treating his return to New York as a regular start, even as the matchup carries added significance. The Tampa Bay Rays acquired the veteran right-hander from the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, but his disappointing run with the Mets contributed to the Trade Deadline sell-off that sent him to Tampa Bay.

    Peralta will start the middle game of the series against his former team, giving him an opportunity to showcase the progress he has made during his first month with the Rays. He has worked closely with pitching coach Kyle Snyder and bullpen coach Jorge Moncada to address the issues that affected his performance in New York.

    “Obviously, I feel different mentally and physically. I feel really comfortable right now, because I was working on a lot of stuff when I was in New York but I couldn’t make the adjustment until I got here,” Peralta said Monday afternoon in the Rays’ dugout. “The more important thing is now I am in the spot that I want to be.”

    Peralta did not find that comfort during his time with the Mets. He went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts, a sharp contrast to the All-Star and National League Cy Young Award candidate he had become with the Brewers. His hits and walks increased while his strikeouts declined, and “Fastball Freddy” lost some of the extension that had made his signature fastball so effective.

    The right-hander previously acknowledged that he “let them down” after joining the Rays. Although he said Monday that it was difficult to leave the “really good friends” he made in New York, he fully expected to be traded by the time the Trade Deadline arrived.

    Peralta rejected the idea that pitching in New York’s high-pressure environment affected him. He said the pressure is “just part of the game” and was not responsible for his performance. He again made no excuses for his inconsistency but acknowledged that his lack of production weighed on him.

    “Because it was the first time that I was struggling like that. But I never give up,” Peralta said. “I was always trying to find a way to feel better, to pitch better, and I knew what I can do and I was feeling good physically, too, and healthy. But I couldn’t make the adjustment.”

    The Rays continued to see value in Peralta’s track record and pitch mix, acquiring him on Aug. 2 in exchange for three well-regarded prospects: right-hander Gary Gill Hill, infielder Émilien Pitre and outfielder Aidan Smith.

    “The good thing is that, now, I’m different,” Peralta said. “I feel different, and I’m ready to keep going until the World Series, hopefully.”

    Tampa Bay has been encouraged by Peralta’s progress and hopes he can maintain that momentum against the Mets.

    “I expect that Freddy’s going to go out and do what he’s been doing for us, and that’s compete at the highest level possible,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I’m sure he’s excited to see some buddies over there and pitch against them, but he’s done it before, coming from Milwaukee to New York.”

    Peralta said he will not know exactly how he feels until he takes the mound Tuesday night, but he does not plan to change his preparation.

    “It’s a challenge. Every game, I think, for me, I take it the same way,” Peralta said. “Just come in to compete and try to get the win.”

  • Junior Caminero Hits Walk-Off Homer in Win Over Athletics

    Junior Caminero Hits Walk-Off Homer in Win Over Athletics

    Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero delivered his second walk-off home run in five days Friday night, lifting the club to a dramatic victory over the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field. The win pushes Tampa Bay’s record to 91-59 and guarantees the Rays will hold at least a three-and-a-half-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees, who were in action later that evening against the Minnesota Twins.

    Pitchers’ Duel Sets the Stage

    The matchup unfolded as a classic pitcher’s duel for much of the evening. Rays right-hander Griffin Jax was outstanding in his continued return from an elbow injury that sidelined him in August. Jax struck out seven batters while allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings. The former reliever was lifted after only 67 pitches as the organization manages his workload carefully.

    A’s Rally in the Sixth

    Oakland broke through in the sixth inning against rookie reliever Ty Johnson. With one out, the Athletics strung together consecutive singles, and a run-scoring wild pitch knotted the game at one apiece.

    Rays Strike First on Unearned Run

    Tampa Bay had taken an early lead in the second inning, though the run was unearned against Oakland starter Jack Perkins. The sequence began with a double by Chandler Simpson — the longest hit of his Major League career, measured at 356 feet. A productive out by Richie Palacios moved Simpson to third, and a passed ball by catcher Jonah Heim allowed the run to score.

    That lone run stood as the only offense the Rays could muster against Perkins, who was sharp across 6 2/3 innings, punching out eight batters.

    Caminero’s Heroics Continue

    Before Friday, Caminero had never recorded a walk-off plate appearance in the majors. Now, the young slugger has authored two game-ending home runs in less than a week, cementing his status as a rising clutch performer for a Tampa Bay squad positioning itself for a deep postseason run.