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This afternoon, Matt Andriese and the Rays will look to conclude a four-game set with a win against the Angels before heading to Minnesota for a weekend series.
The Angels won the first two games of the series with the Rays taking game #3 yesterday. In the opener, pitching and a dose of small ball led the Angels to a 3-2 win. In game #2, the Rays struggles continued at the plate as the Angels’ pitching staff combined to shut out Tampa on three hits. In game #3, Steven Souza Jr. - who was certainly due with just one home run since April 24 - homered twice and Colby Rasmus went deep to to headline a 5-2 victory.
Steven Souza Jr. hits a solo home run to left field for his 2nd home run of the game, giving the Rays a 5-2 lead in the 7th inning!! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/FucZd6ApIr
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) May 25, 2017
Today’s game will not be televised on Fox Sports Sun, but will be broadcasted on WDAE 620 AM. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET. For those with the benefit on MLB.tv, the Angels will have a televised broadcast of the game.
Starting Pitchers
Matt Andriese
The right-hander is coming off of a shaky outing against New York on Saturday, allowing five runs in five innings while striking out five. However, the Rays mashed, so Andriese was able to earn the win against the Yankees.
Andriese (4-1) struggled vs. New York, but he has gotten off to a stellar start in 2017, registering a 3.75 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 50 1/3 innings through nine starts.
Andriese has has posted reverse splits so far in 2017. He’s faired extremely well vs. LHB’s this season (.176/.255/.271), and poorly vs. RHB’s (.294/.361/.560).
Daniel Wright
The right-hander takes the spot of regular starter Alex Meyer, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with back spasms.
Wright posted a 5.54 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 13 innings while being used as a long reliever for the Angles earlier this season. He did have one stellar spot start against the Blue Jays on April 23, allowing no runs on three hits over five shutout innings.
Nonetheless, the right-hander has compiled a substandard 9.35 ERA over four minor-league starts at Triple-A Salt Lake this season and his spot on the big-league roster may only be a temporary one.
Wright has struggled vs. both RHB’s and LHB’s so far in 2017, posting a .308/.357/.462 slash-line from the right side of the plate and .273/.407/.273 slash-line from the left side of the plate.
Arsenal
In 2017, Wright has relied primarily on his fourseam fastball (91mph) and changeup (84mph), while also mixing in a slider (82mph), curveball (75mph) and sinker (91mph).