The Tampa Bay Rays (52-41, 43-49 RL, 44-43-5 O/U) and the Kansas City Royals (36-57, 41-52 RL, 48-45-1 O/U) conclude a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The Rays send Jeffery Springs to the mound after a stint on the IL. The Royals have yet to name a starter. The Rays posted a 7-3 win in Friday's opener.
The Rays will have Jeffery Springs return from the IL in this one. Springs did not fare well in his latest effort on July 5th, conceding three runs in four innings against the Red Sox, and was able to escape with a no-decision. The young left-hander has squandered at least three runs in three consecutive outings and has posted a stellar 2.53 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP accompanied by a 3-2 record in 64 innings of work on the season. Springs conceded four runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings in his lone career meeting against the Royals.
Tampa Bay continues to win games. They have only lost one series all month and continue to benefit from outstanding pitching. The offense is dealing with key injuries including long absences from Wander Franco and Manuel Margot who remain out of action.
Isaac Parades has cooled down after his incredible streak of home runs, bashing only two big flies with a .607 OPS this month. Overall the 23-year-old is having a remarkable season, hitting 13 bombs with 28 RBIs and a .796 OPS. Parades went 0 for 3 in Friday’s win.
The Rays are scoring an average of 4.25 runs per game, ranking them 19th overall. The pitching staff has recorded a 3.37 team ERA, good for fourth in the big leagues.