Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs Philadelphia Phillies

The Tampa Bay Rays snapped out of a 4 recreation dropping streak and took two out of three in opposition to the New York Yankees over the weekend. Getting into play on Tuesday, the Rays at the moment are 16-18, sitting in third place within the AL East and are 2.5 video games again of the Yankees for the division lead.

The Philadelphia Phillies come into city with a document of 19-15, having gained their previous three sequence and are 3 video games again of the Mets for the lead within the NL East.

Philadelphia enters play on Tuesday ranked eleventh in place participant fWAR (4.5), eleventh in wRC+ (106), 2nd in pitching fWAR (5.6), and fifteenth in ERA (3.96). On a staff that’s stacked with multi-time all-stars, Bryson Stott has garnered essentially the most fWAR so far within the 2025 marketing campaign. Stott enters play on Tuesday hitting .276/.346/.397 and is among the many greatest base runners within the recreation. Kyle Schwarber is correct there with Stott in fWAR, having already knocked 11 HR and is hitting .242/.397/.558 over 151 PA. The staff is full of above-average hitters and has a superb beginning rotation; nevertheless, they’re among the many worst defensive groups in all of baseball.

Jesus Luzardo has been the very best pitcher within the Nationwide League early on and Zack Wheeler has been wonderful. The primary drawback for Philadelphia, apart from their protection, has been the bullpen.

Former Ray, Jose Alvarado, has taken over the staff’s nearer function and is their most reliable reliever. It’s been a battle to bridge the hole from the rotation to Alvarado, nevertheless Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks have been strong.

Frivolities

The highest gamers by profession WAR to have performed for the Rays and Yankees:

Julio Franco
Jose Bautista
Pat Burrell
Asdrubal Cabrera
Grady Sizemore

The Rays greatest participant offensively in opposition to the Phillies all-time (min. 25 PA):Carl Crawford: .500/.536/.923 with 2 HR over 28 PA
The Rays most earlier transacation with the Phillies:12/11/2024: Rays acquired RHP Mike Vasil from Philadelphia after they chose him from the Mets within the Rule 5 draft
The Rays first transaction with the Phillies11/18/1997: traded OF Bobby Abreu to Philadelphia for SS Kevin Stocker