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Game Notes: Erasmo Ramirez vs. Roenis Elias

Ramirez takes on Elias, Yan's HR, and rest in peace Zim

By Adam Sanford
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After sweeping the Rays last week, the Seattle Mariners decided to keep sticking it to the Tampa Bay Rays by getting themselves swept by the New York Yankees, allowing the Yanks to retain their division lead. However, the Rays were not daunted, as they took two of three from Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and the Los Angeles Angels. I, for one, will be very glad to not see those two sluggers again for a few months . . . (the Rays host Angels for three games next week).

Now the Rays will have the chance to get some payback against the Mariners, and heading to the mound at Safeco Field to kickoff the series will be Erasmo Ramirez. Last Saturday, Ramirez had one of the best starts of his career as he went seven shutout innings against the Orioles, striking out seven, walking one, and only allowing three hits. Heading into play, he is 3-2 with a 5.53 ERA and a 4.20 FIP over the course of 13 games (6 starts) and 42.1 innings pitched.

His opponent on the mound will be Roenis Elias, who pitched a solid game last Monday against the Rays, going six innings and allowing only one run (a Logan Forsythe solo HR) on six hits and three walks, while striking out six. Heading into play tonight, he is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA and 4.50 FIP over the course of seven games and 44 innings pitched.

Today's Lineups

TAMPA BAY RAYS SEATTLE MARINERS
Brandon Guyer - LF Austin Jackson - CF
Joey Butler - DH Robinson Cano - 2B
Evan Longoria - 3B Nelson Cruz - RF
Logan Forsythe - 2B Kyle Seager - 3B
Steven Souza - RF Mark Trumbo - DH
Jake Elmore - 1B Seth Smith - LF
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS Logan Morrison - 1B
Mikie Mahtook - CF Mike Zunino - C
Rene Rivera - C Brad Miller - SS
Erasmo Ramirez - RHP Roenis Elias - LHP

Roenis Elias scouting report:

His arsenal:

PITCH VELOCITY FREQUENCY LOCATION
Fastball Low 90's 49% Up in the zone to righties / Down in the zone to lefties
Sinker Low 90's 6% Runs it down and away or has it sink low and in to righties/ Sporadically in the zone to lefties
Change Mid 80's 20% Usually drops down and out of the zone, or runs it along the outside edge of the plate to righties / Has thrown only three times to lefties
Curve High 70's 26% Drops it low and in to righties / Sweeps it across the zone to lefties, usually landing out of the zone

When Elias has generated contact, it has been a line drive 20.9%, a fly ball 38%, and a ground ball 41.1% of the time. He's also walking 8.7% of opposing hitters, while striking out 18.5%. He hasn't really shown a big split between lefites and righties, as lefties have slashed .263/.317/.368 in 41 trips to the plate, while righties have slashed .256/.331/.449 in 143 trips to the plate.

However, his splits against lefties may be skewed by a high BABIP of .370. Elias has shown he can strike out lefties easier than righites, as evidenced by his 26.8 K% against lefties compared to his 16.1% versus righties.

Other Rays Notes:

- I'm starting to think Daniel Robertson just spontaneously combusted during yesterday's game. The has been no updates as to why he was removed mid at bat, which is strange considering his prospect status. I've seen some say it was a hand/wrist issue, but can't find anything to back that up. Anyway, at least it's Snell day!

- Not Rays related, but the Houston Astros are removing Tal's Hill from their playing field next year

- June 4th in Rays History, of which they are 7-9 all-time

  • 1996 -  The team participates in their first ever draft, selecting Paul Wilder with their 1st pick and 30th overall.
  • 2000 - Esteban Yan becomes the first (and only) pitcher in team history to hit a home run. He also becomes just the 14th player in MLB history to hit a homer on the first pitch he sees during his first career at bat.
  • 2002 - Drafted Melvin Upton Jr  with the 2nd overall pick in the annual draft.
  • 2003 - Released Damion Easley, who had slashed .187/.202/.262 with a homer in 36 games.
  • 2004 - After tying the game in the top of the 9th, the Rays take the lead in the 11th thanks to a basehit from Fred McGriff. They'd go on to win 8-7 over the Orioles.
  • 2008 - The stage is set for the Rays to announce they're no longer the punching bag of the AL East, as Coco Crisp barrels into Akinori Iwamura while attempting to steal second base.
  • 2014 - In one of the most memorable moments in the team's broadcast history, Todd Kalas announces that Don Zimmer has passed away at the age of 83.

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