The Tampa Bay Rays will aim for a season-ending series win on the road Saturday afternoon when they play the second of three games against the Boston Red Sox.
After Taj Bradley began the series with six shutout innings in a 2-1 Friday win, Tampa Bay (79-81) will turn to another stellar young pitcher in right-hander Shane Baz (3-3, 3.07 ERA).
Though playoff baseball is not in the Rays’ immediate future, Baz and Bradley figure to be major parts of an exciting rotation entering 2025.
Continuing the team’s recent run of eight wins in 14 games is most important, though.
“Hopefully everybody stays healthy and we can have a lot of options, but it’s definitely exciting,” Baz said. “Just what we’ve done over the last few weeks has been really impressive to me, too.”
The 25-year-old has a 2.25 ERA across his last seven outings — including a two-run, seven-inning effort (a win) in his first career start against Boston on Sept. 17. Triston Casas’ two-run homer marked the only scoring and one of just two hits against Baz in that game.
Baz’s last start was in a no-decision against Toronto on Sunday, when he worked six innings of one-run ball in the Rays’ 4-3 victory.
The Rays managed Friday’s win despite being out-hit 6-5, scoring their only two runs in the seventh inning. A .238 hitter entering the series, Josh Lowe had an RBI double and scored the other run as part of his ninth multi-hit game since Aug. 26.
“He’s as talented as any guy that we have on the field. So that’s what gives us so much excitement,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’re not looking to flush the year, but when it’s over we will, and say, let’s build off of everything that you did so great the year prior.”
The Red Sox (80-80) have lost twice since a four-game winning streak and are 10-10 over their last 20 contests. They must win the final two to finish the season above the .500 mark.
Boston right-hander Kutter Crawford (9-15, 4.17 ERA) will look to finish his season with back-to-back wins after dealing his longest career outing to complete last Sunday’s doubleheader sweep of Minnesota. He struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings en route to a 9-3 victory and his first win since Aug. 13.
“Setting goals early in the year, trying to stay healthy, trying to stay durable. Not only that but trying to go six innings every time,” Crawford said. “Obviously, the record isn’t what I want it to be, but it’s a good feeling, especially late in the season, to pitch (into) the eighth.”
Crawford is 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in seven career appearances (four starts) against Tampa Bay.
In the series opener, Nick Pivetta was the 11th Boston starter in 15 games to allow two runs or less. However, a quiet offensive night — the team’s 31st game with zero runs or one run scored — made it a loss.
Vaughn Grissom had three of the six Boston hits.
The Red Sox will be without closer Kenley Jansen this weekend. Like third baseman Rafael Devers, he has dealt with shoulder issues this month and was placed on the injured list.
“I talked to him (Jansen) this week, and as soon as it was over a few days ago and he wasn’t going to pitch, (he went home). There’s other stuff that we talked about. There’s other stuff going on,” said Boston manager Alex Cora, who did not elaborate.
