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Yesterday's loss resulted in the Rays losing yet another series as their drought continues. Let's just hope they can finish the season better than the 2002 Orioles who finished the season on a 12 game skid that dropped their record from 67-83 to 67-95.
The Rays aren't playing meaningless baseball though, as every presents opportunities for certain players to show their worth for next year. Tonight's starter for example, Matt Moore, looks to improve his stock and earn a spot in the 2016 rotation. Nick Franklin is another whose had a disappointing year, a decent finish could line him up for starting duties next season.
Although as a whole the team is all but eliminated, every player as something to play for, whether it be a nice contract this off-season or to impress the Rays brass and hopefully land a job next season.
TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS:
| PITCHER | W | L | ERA | FIP | AVG | HR | K% | BB% | GS/G | IP |
| Matt Moore | 1 | 1 | 8.42 | 6.39 | .344 | 8 | 13.0% | 9.0% | 8/8 | 36.1 |
| Chris Tillman | 9 | 11 | 5.21 | 4.48 | .264 | 18 | 16.% | 8.3% | 27/27 | 148.2 |
Moore struggled with the long ball his last time out, doubling his season total by surrendering four homers to the Boston Red Sox. Moore did manage to register five innings pitched, while racking up three strike outs and walking one. He allowed eight runs (six earned) on nine hits and picked up a loss for his efforts. It was a disappointing9 outing considering the promise that was showed in the start before against New York.
Chris TIllman Scouting Report:
It seems like the Rays have faced Chris TIllman more than any other pitcher this year and their results have been mixed. Tillman has taken on Tampa Bay already five times this year and has come away with one win, three losses and a no-decision. That last time the Rays faced him, they roughed him up to the tune of seven runs and chased him from the game in the fifth inning.
Tillman was excellent in July but has been on a downward spiral since then. He's given up at least four runs in each of his past four starts, and the furthest he's pitched was six innings.
His arsenal:
| PITCH | VELOCITY | FREQUENCY | vs LHB | vs RHB |
| Fastball | Low 90's |
56% vs LHB *** 51% vs RHB |
Aims for the outside corner, high or low in the zone | Anywhere in the zone |
| Sinker | Low 90's |
12% vs LHB *** 13% vs RHB |
Aims for the outside corner, low in the zone | Bears it in, under the hands |
| Cutter | High 80's |
03% vs LHB *** 11% vs RHB |
Sporadic | Down and away from the zone |
| Slider | Low 80's |
00% vs LHB *** 01% vs RHB |
Non-existent | Sporadic |
| Change | Low 80's |
14% vs LHB *** 12% vs RHB |
Down and away from the zone |
Below the zone |
| Curve | Mid 70's |
15% vs LHB *** 14% vs RHB |
Either away from the zone or below it | Down and away from the zone |
His splits:
| TBF | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | K% | BB% | |
| vs LHB | 325 | .257 | .333 | .340 | 2 | 16.9% | 9.5% |
| vs RHB | 311 | .272 | .331 | .529 | 16 | 15.4% | 7.1% |
| HOME | 365 | .235 | .307 | .362 | 7 | 17.0% | 8.2% |
| AWAY | 271 | .304 | .367 | .529 | 11 | 15.1% | 8.4% |
September 17th in Rays History:
- They are 7-8 all-time on this date
- 1998 - Hideki Irabu and Mike Stanton combined to throw a two-hit shutout against Tampa Bay as the Yankees cruised to a 4-0 victory. Irabu delivered eight innings of work, allowing the two hits, while he walked two and struck out five.
- 2003 - Victor Zambrano and Lance Carter combined to throw a five-hit shutout against the Red Sox, as the Devil Rays cruised to a 7-0 victory. Zambrano went seven innings, only allowing three hits while walking five and striking out three. Marlon Anderson went 3-4, falling a homer short of the cycle, meanwhile Rocco Baldelli clubbed his 11th home run of the season.
- 2008 - Evan Longoria did not homer three times, however three other Rays each homered once totaling three home runs, so you were close Nomo
- 2009 - Wade Davis made his three career start and delivered a masterful performance against the Orioles, shutting them out on only four hits, racking up 10 strikeouts and walked two during the complete game.