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Royals, Rays in Opposite Directions Entering Series Finale
The Kansas City Royals are aiming for a three-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays, who are desperately trying to break their losing streak.
Royals’ Winning Streak
The Kansas City Royals are on fire, riding an eight-game winning streak. They’ve swept both Oakland and Detroit at home and won the first two games against the Tampa Bay Rays. With their offense scoring at least seven runs in the last six games, the Royals are looking to keep the momentum going and complete the series sweep on Sunday.
Michael Wacha’s Performance:
- Michael Wacha (4-4, 4.45 ERA) is set to start for the Royals, looking for his fourth consecutive win. Wacha has been lights out recently, posting a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts, all quality outings.
- In his latest performance, Wacha pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits against the Detroit Tigers.
- Despite his current hot streak, Wacha has historically struggled against the Rays, with a 2-3 record and a 6.03 ERA in 31 1/3 innings over six career starts.
Wacha’s Perspective:
- Emphasizing the importance of longevity in starts, Wacha said, “The best teams I’ve played on, the starting pitchers go out there and go deep, and can give the guys a chance to win a ballgame. It limits the usage of the bullpen.”
Rays’ Struggles
The Tampa Bay Rays are in a slump, on a six-game losing streak, and they’re desperate to avoid a home sweep. Their latest defeat, a 7-4 loss in 11 innings on Saturday, summed up their recent woes. Despite tying the game multiple times, the Rays couldn’t finish strong in extra innings.
Kevin Cash’s Take:
- Rays manager Kevin Cash highlighted the team’s late-game struggles: “Harold (Ramirez) came up and got that hit. That kinda reminded me, that’s us. Come up with that big late hit. So encouraged by that, but from that at-bat on, it was a challenge to put runs on the board.”
Tampa Bay’s Offensive Woes:
- The Rays have been held to two or fewer runs four times during their losing streak.
- Pinch hitter Harold Ramirez and Jonny DeLuca provided crucial hits on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Pitching Matchup for the Finale
Rays’ Starter – Taj Bradley:
- Right-hander Taj Bradley (1-2, 4.00 ERA) will start for the Rays. Bradley has had tough luck with run support, getting shut out in both of his losses.
- In his last start, Bradley gave up five runs on six hits, including two two-run homers, in a 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Despite this, he struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.
- Bradley, who is making just his third start of the season after returning from a right pectoral injury, has never faced the Royals.
Bradley’s Perspective:
- Bradley remained optimistic despite the loss: “I felt good with everything. Just two swings really changed the outcome of the game and kind of made it a hard pill to swallow afterward, but there’s still some highlights that I can be happy about.”
Teammate Richie Palacios on Bradley:
- Palacios praised Bradley’s performance: “Taj’s stuff is electric. When he goes out there, he competes. He knows what he wants to do. It’s tough that we didn’t come out on the top side of the ball.”
Conclusion
The Royals, riding an eight-game winning streak, are looking to complete a sweep of the Rays, who are struggling to find their groove. With Michael Wacha aiming for his fourth consecutive win and Taj Bradley hoping for better run support, Sunday’s game is crucial for both teams. The Royals hope to keep their offensive momentum, while the Rays aim to snap their losing streak and salvage a win at home.
