Matt Andriese (1-0, 1.29 ERA) and Kendall Graveman (1-4, 5.74 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (15-18) and the Oakland Athletics (15-21) at Tropicana Field. The Athletics won the last game 6-3, and Oakland leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 14 and can be seen on CSCA and SUN.
Andriese pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out three and walking three in a 3-1 win over the Angels. Steven Souza Jr. (.261, 14 Rs, 8 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. Graveman went 2.2 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out two and walking three in an 11-3 defeat to the Orioles in his last outing. Marcus Semien (.217, 15 Rs, 9 HRs, 17 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, one RBI, and one stolen base.
The odds for Tampa Bay and Oakland are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Rays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Tampa Bay’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 9.7 per game. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Athletics have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Athletics allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Athletics have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in five hits, the Rays need to step it up. The Athletics have a record of 4-1 when opponents get five hits or less.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 2-17. The Rays have a 2-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 15th in home runs, Oakland has hit 37 this season. Tampa Bay ranks fifth with 46 home runs.
Ranking 30th, Tampa Bay is at the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.33 per game. Oakland ranks in the top half at 13th with 8.56.
Tampa Bay and Oakland both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Tampa Bay sits at 21st with an OPS of .698, and Oakland ranks 25th with an OPS of .687.
The Athletics are 6-18 when they allow at least one home run. The Rays perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 5-17 record.
