Chris Archer and Mike Montgomery were both acquired by the Rays in similar fashions.
The Rays sent away an ace pitcher (in Matt Garza and James Shields) who had grown too expensive and was nearing free-agency, and acquired prospects for him. Montgomery used to be one of the games elite prospects, but stumbled once he reached the Triple-A level. The Rays acquired him back in 2012, and have stuck him in Durham the past two seasons with limited success. Following spring training this year, there was a need for an experienced starting pitcher, and that was filled by sending Monty to the Mariners for Erasmo Ramirez, who has recently turned into a solid starter.
Following yesterday's one run loss, and frustratingly another victory from the Yankees, the Rays are now a game and half behind New York in the division. But, this road trip should be considered a success because rarely do the Rays travel out west and have the chance of securing back-to-back series victories. Chris Archer will head to the mound today for Tampa Bay with hopes of giving the Rays the series, and his opponent will be Mike Montgomery, who made his major league debut on Tuesday.
Heading into play today, Chris Archer is 6-4 with a 2.01 ERA and a 2.29 FIP, to go along with a 32.7 K% and 6.7 BB% over the course of 12 starts and 76 innings pitched. Archer somehow came close to topping his duel with Felix Hernandez his last time out, as he struck out 15 Angels (tied the team record) over eight innings of one run ball, the lone run coming from HR by Albert Pujols.
Montgomery made his major league debut on Tuesday, going six innings and only allowing a run of fours hits, two walks, while striking out four. He left the game in line for a victory, but Fernando Rodney laid an egg and the Yankees came back to win the game. During his time in Triple-A this season, Montgomery was 4-3 with a 3.74 ERA and a 3.24 FIP over the course of nine starts and 53 innings pitched.
Evan Longoria and Asdrubal Cabrera are both out of the lineup for today's game. Longoria has had a sore wrist that's apparently been bothering him for some time. Meanwhile, Cabrera hyper-extended his elbow during last night's game. With Odorizzi's apparent injury, tomorrow's off day could not come at a better time for the team.
Mike Montgomery Scouting Report:
PITCH | VELOCITY | FREQUENCY | vs LHB | vs RHB |
Fastball | Low 90's | 29% | All around the zone | All around the zone |
Sinker | Low 90's | 18% | Hasn't used it | Either low & in, or low & away |
Cutter | High 80's | 7% | Used only once | Either backdoors it, or has it run low & in |
Change | Low 80's | 28% | Either low & away, or low & in | Down, out of the zone or low & away |
Curve | Mid 70's | 19% | Low & away | Sporadically around the zone |
During Montgomery's time with Triple-A Tacoma, he maintained a 21.8 K% and 6.9 BB%. When opponents were able to make contact, 11.1% were line drives, 55.6% were ground balls, and 33.3% were fly balls. So far this year, lefties are actually hitting better against him than righties (in a limited same size). He a faced 45 lefties, who have slashed .289/.400/.342, meanwhile righties have slashed .222/.269/.356 in 195 trips.
Other Rays Notes:
- After being DFA'd, Ernesto Frieri has been outrighted to Durham
#Rays outright Ernesto Frieri to AAA Durham after he cleared waivers.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 7, 2015
- Kyle Farnsworth has apparently become bored with the challenge of semipro football, so now he's going to Mexico to play baseball down there
- Matt Moore will make his second rehab start on Tuesday
#Rays LHP Matt Moore will make his second rehab start for the #StoneCrabs Tuesday at Dunedin. Scheduled to throw 60-65 pitches.
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) June 7, 2015
- June 7th in team history, of which they are 6-8 all time
- 1974 - Chris Richard is born, he'd play in 13 games for Tampa Bay in 2009 collecting two hits in 19 at-bats.
- 1998 - The team walks off against the Montreal Expos after Mike Kelly walks and would score thanks to an error from Shane Andrews.
- 2004 - The team selects Jeff Niemann, Reid Brignac, Wade Davis, and Jake McGee in the annual draft.
- 2007 - The team selects David Price, Matt Moore, and Stephen Vogt in the annual draft
- 2009 -
- 2014 - Kirby Yates is promoted from Triple-A Durham. He'd make his MLB debut that day, going 1.1 IP with two strikeouts,