Soon, the Tampa Bay Rays can kick up their feet at home. But first, they must finish their work on the road.
The Rays will play a rare two-game interleague series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday and Wednesday at Turner Field. The short set represents the end of a five-game road trip that began last Friday in Minneapolis.
After the stay in Atlanta, Tampa Bay will return home for seven consecutive games against the Oakland Athletics (four contests) and the Seattle Mariners (three) at Tropicana Field. Despite going 1-2 against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, the Rays remain in second in the American League East with a 21-18 record.
On Tuesday, right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will look to build on a strong no-run, one-hit, five-inning effort in a victory over the New York Yankees last Thursday at Tropicana Field. On Wednesday, right-hander Jake Odorizzi will try to recover from a loss against the Twins on Friday, when he allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings.
Take in the sights and sounds ahead, because they don't happen often. The Rays and Braves are unfamiliar with each other. They've played 24 times, with Atlanta winning 17 of those meetings.
Here's a closer look at the upcoming Rays-Braves series ...
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
James Loney (Rays): He hit .409 (9 for 22) with four RBI in six games from May 12-17. He had two multi-hit games in the span, including a 4 for 5 day with three RBI in a win over the Twins on May 17. He has hit .273 with two home runs and 10 RBI this season.
Todd Cunningham (Braves): He hit .667 (8 for 12) with one RBI in three games from May 15-17 in making his season debut with the Braves. He went 3 for 4 twice in the span in victories over the Miami Marlins from May 15-16.
WHO'S NOT
Brandon Guyer (Rays): He hit .167 (2 for 12) with three strikeouts in six games from May 12-17. He was held hitless in four contests in the span. He has hit .268 with two home runs and 12 RBI this season.
Andrelton Simmons (Braves): He hit .150 (3 for 20) with three strikeouts in five games from May 12-17. He was held hitless in two contests in the span. He has hit .264 with three home runs and 16 RBI this season.
STORYLINES
97: Speed, in miles per hour, reached by reliever Jake McGee in his season debut Sunday in a victory over the Twins. He threw 14 pitches and struck out two in one inning. He returned from arthroscopic surgery performed on his left elbow in December.
2012: The last time the Rays played the Braves. That series was held May 18-20 at Tropicana Field, and Atlanta won two of the three games.
1: Deficit, in games, for the Rays in the AL East. The Yankees lead the division with a 22-17 record.
QUOTE BOARD
"His numbers coming in, we know he's a better pitcher than that." -- Manager Kevin Cash to reporters, when speaking about Twins right-hander Phil Hughes in Minnesota's 3-2 win Friday at Target Field. Highes allowed two runs and five hits with three strikeouts in seven innings.
"Comebacker, I thought I had more time." -- Reliever Kevin Jepsen to reporters, when describing his trouble fielding a ground ball to the mound from Trevor Plouffe in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Twins' 6-4 win Saturday at Target Field. Jepsen allowed two hits and two runs in 2/3 of an inning.
"We're not really expecting to be above .500, but we are." -- Right-hander Chris Archer to reporters, after he allowed one run, four hits and struck out four in six innings in the Rays' 11-3 victory over the Twins on Sunday at Target Field. Tampa Bay is one of two teams with a winning record in the AL East.
LOOKING AHEAD
May 21-24 -- Athletics at Rays
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
