Tampa Bay returns from the All-Star break with plenty of momentum as it heads to Kansas City for a meeting with the Royals on Friday night. The Rays won six of their final seven games in the first half of the season, including a 7-5 win over Baltimore on Sunday. Kansas City is on a three-game losing streak after dropping three in a row at Toronto last weekend.
Tampa Bay struggled to find its form for most of the opening half of the season, but it ultimately got into a rhythm prior to the All-Star break. The Rays were able to sweep a four-game series against Boston at the beginning of last week before taking two out of three against Baltimore over the weekend. Their lone loss during that series came in a 6-4 final in 11 innings on Saturday. They are going to need to stay red-hot for the entire second half of the season if they want to catch New York, which is currently 12.5 games up for first place in the American League East. The Rays are holding onto the top AL Wild Card spot, though, so they are in good shape as far as the playoff picture is concerned.
The Rays have signed OF Roman Quinn to a major league contract. To make room on the active roster, OF Harold Ramirez (right thumb fracture) was placed on the 15-day I L, retroactive to July 18. To make room on the 40-man roster, RH Cristofer Ogando was designated for assignment.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 21, 2022
Their offense has finally started to get things going, but they are still No. 17 in team batting average (.240). Left fielder Randy Arozarena leads the way with 86 hits, including 12 home runs. He has also driven in a team-high 43 runs. Tampa Bay is currently without four of its top seven batters due to injuries. The Rays are facing a Kansas City pitching staff that is No. 27 with an ERA of 4.80. Right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen is going to be on the mound for Tampa Bay on Friday night. He threw six innings against Boston last Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk. Rasmussen has made six starts since his last win, but he has allowed three or fewer runs in four of those outings.