A’s look to make it two straight in the sunshine state
After last nights three-hit commanding shutout to get back in the win column, the A’s and Tampa Bay Rays are set to square off today in just over an hour for game two of their three game stand.
Good afternoon A’s fans and happy hump day. Thank you for joining in for this unconventional 3:50 PM West Coast start time.
The A’s could use a similar pitching effort to what they got last night from starter Joey Estes tonight. In three starts this year, Estes has simply been great, terrible, then great again. The last start ended in him going seven innings albeit against the Colorado Rockies, but still, the good Estes tonight could go a long ways in taking this series in just two.
Below is the lineup the A’s will utilize tonight against Rays starter Ryan Pepiot. No one on the A’s active roster has ever faced the righty former third round draft pick before.
Game ✌️ in Florida!!! pic.twitter.com/c92d5WrHrk
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) May 29, 2024
The Rays have always bred pitching, and many think Pepiot could be their next masterpiece at some point. The 26-year-old isn’t a product of the Rays system as he was one of the main pieces returning in the Tyler Glasnow trade, but 2024 looks to be Pepiot’s first extended opportunity and he’s handled it as well as he’s could’ve so far.
Pepiot had a five-start stretch in April where he went 5+ innings each game allowing just seven runs combined seeming to get better and better by the outing. An Injured List stint starting May 8 thanks to a lower leg contusion sidelined him for a minute and tonight will be Pepiot’s second start since returning.
On the offensive front, one thing the Rays won’t do is hit for much power. They rank second to last in baseball in home runs with just 43 as a team while also rating third-worst in SLG. Statistically their best hitter has been Isaac Paredes, and their other usual suspects like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz aren’t particularly close with brutal starts so far. Poor offensive production can also classify the Rays 3-7 last ten-game stretch where they’ve averaged 2.7 runs/game. Ouch.
Here is the Rays lineup tonight as announced by two-time manager of the year Kevin Cash.
It’s been since April 26-28 when the A’s last recorded a road series victory, and I for one would hate to see them go the entire month without taking at least one. That ends tonight.
See you all very soon!