The Rays Tank: Who Will We See On Monday?

With David Price going to the 15-day DL and missing his next three starts, the Rays called up Alex Torres from Durham. As expected, Torres pitched in relief last night, coming into the game in the ninth inning. You know, the ninth inning in which Fernando Rodney blew the save and gave up the go-ahead run in the Rays 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.

So let’s observe what options we have for Price’s spot in the rotation:

(All stats courtesy of Durham Bulls)

1) Jake Odorizzi- First and foremost, they’re on the same pitching schedule. Odorizzi is 4-0 in eight starts with a 3.83 ERA. In each of his starts this season, he has gone at least five innings. He has given up seven homeruns on the season, six of them coming from two-three homer games, including his last appearance on Wednesday. Odorizzi has been struggling against right handed-batters, allowing all seven homeruns against righties, with a 6.35 ERA. Against lefties, Odorizzi’s ERA drops dramatically to a 1.23. Since throwing seven innings in the combined no-hitter on May 5^th, Odorizzi has allowed nine earned runs on thirteen hits in 10.2 innings.

2) Chris Archer- In his most recent appearance yesterday, Archer went five innings allowing four earned runs off of six hits and four walks. He is 4-2 on the season with a 4.38 ERA over 39 innings. Archer already knows what it’s like to be a part of the Rays rotation, as he appeared in six games last year posting a 1-3 record with a 4.6 ERA.

3)Alex Colome- Colome is 2-5 on the season, but has posted the lowest ERA of the Bulls’ rotation so far this season. He has allowed only 14 earned runs over 44.1 innings pitched, a 2.84 ERA. Righties are hitting only .188 off of Colome, while lefties are hitting .229. In his last start on May 13, Colome went seven innings, allowing only one earned run while striking out 11 and walking four.

According to Bill Chastain of MLB.com, Odorizzi seems like the likely choice considering the scheduling and the pitch limit that Archer has been held to recently. However, Maddon is considering all three options and you can bet he'll take his sweet time deciding.

The Rays head to Baltimore today for a three game series. Jeremy Hellickson will take the mound tonight against Jason Hammel.

Links:

- Rays' Director of Communications, Dave Haller, tweeted out a bunch of pictures of the Rays in their camo gear for last nights road trip.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rays leave for Baltimore decked out in Camo: @<a href="https://twitter.com/mattymoe55">mattymoe55</a>, @<a href="https://twitter.com/jhell58">jhell58</a>, @<a href="https://twitter.com/acobb53">acobb53</a> and Cesar Ramos. <a href="http://t.co/UQGZD9aO17" title="http://twitter.com/HallerDave/status/335237162901573632/photo/1">twitter.com/HallerDave/sta…</a></p>&mdash; Dave Haller (@HallerDave) <a href="https://twitter.com/HallerDave/status/335237162901573632">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

-Despite an internet campaign for Jim Leyland to name Mariano Rivera as the starter for the 2013 All-Star Game, Mo has spoken up and said he’d rather close the game.

-Like father, like son. Reid Ryan is set to be named as the next President of the Houston Astros. That makes for a more interesting AL West Division.

-ABC recently announced its fall schedule and there’s going to be a comedy about baseball! Kind of looks like a glimpse into my future, hopefully minus the divorce. Back in the Game will air Wednesdays at 8:30 this fall! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cf3ttSBq09g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-For everyone who thought the Zimbear was creepy, take a look at what Wisconsin’s Eau Clair Express has for a “giveaway” on July 28^th.

-Here’s some great GIF’s of Blue Jays’ infielder, Munenori Kawasaki, warming up before yesterday’s game.

-There was a disappearing act at Citi-Field yesterday as Daniel Murphy hit a baseball into the outfield wall.