TUESDAY GAME NOTES

Your Rays welcome the Marlins to Tropicana Field for what is sure to be a low-attended affair. There are but six games left in the season, and it's hard to imagine either team being inspired by the "rivalry" across the state in this Citrus Series.

The first of three welcomes Moore to do again what he did in his previous outing: look like a major league pitcher.

Moore's shown glimpses of his former self, and now has two more chances to prove Tommy John is something beatable. I do not doubt he will get there, but it would be nice to prove himself now, and give himself that ultra-important confidence he might be lacking. He goes tonight, then on Sunday afternoon against the post-season bound Blue Jays.

The Rays are two victories away from matching last year's 77 win record. Their current 81 losses also have them last place in the division. The Red Sox and Orioles only have 80. Finishing below those teams would certainly offer a higher draft choice, while surpassing them would offer the Rays some pride, as Topkin lobbied for in his morning column with quotes from Longoria and Kiermaier.

While it's nice to not be stuck with a last-place moniker, I'm not convinced pride is more important that choosing before division rivals in the draft, and with a record close to the bottom ten, their pick would be protected next season - you know - in case they sign a top free agent, which has penalties.

A last place finish would give the Rays their tenth season at the bottom of the division over the team's now-18 year history. - DR

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS:

Matt Moore delivered his best start of the year two weeks ago, however, his last start may have been better as he was able to rebound from a shaky start. He gave up two runs in the first, but settled down and was able to pitch two outs into the seventh. He only walked two and both of those came in the first, meanwhile he struck out seven and earned his second win of the season.

Adam Conley Scouting Report:

Conley has been one of the Marlins' top prospects since 2012, and he finally broke into the majors in early June. He's mainly been a starter throughout his time in the minors, but Miami used him out of the pen until early August. His first couple of starts were rough, but his last five have been superb with an ERA under three. He hasn't pitched too deep into games, but his last time out he was able to register six innings, only allowing one run on three hits, while he walked one and struck out eight earning a no-decision.

His arsenal:

His splits:

September 29th in Rays History:

• Four former Rays players were born on this date as Ali Solis (1987), Shelly Duncan (1979), Heath Bell (1977), & Dave Sivelstri (1967) were born on this date.
• They are 6-6 all-time on this date
• 2005 - CC Sabthia dominated the Rays, meanwhile Casey Fossum laid an egg and was out of the game by the third inning. The Indians would win the game, 6-0, with Sabathia providing eight scoreless innings.

Alex Gonzalez's Diving Stop [] Sabathia's Outing

• 2010 - Kevin Millwood delivers one of his best starts of the season as he, along with Jim Johnson and Koji Uehara combined to shutout the Rays 2-0, allowing only three hits in the process. Millwood for his part, went seven innings, dueling with Jeff Niemann who also went seven innings, earning a loss.

• 2013 - Tied with the Rangers for the second AL Wild Card spot, the Rays in the last game of the season faced a must win situation and they seemed well on their way to it taking an early 6-0 lead.They then came very close to blowing it as the Blue Jays themselves rallied for six runs. The Rays came out on top though and forced a game 163 tie-breaker with the Rangers.