Game 68: Rays at Red Sox lineups and notes
The Rays are coming off a 5-1 homestand which they capped with
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Brayan Bello will be on the mound for tonight's opener. After struggling in May, the righthander went six innings in his most recent start against the Angels on June 3, striking out four and allowing three runs on six hits in
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The Rays will counter with Shane Baz.
Here is a preview.
Lineups
RAYS (35-30):
TBA
Pitching:
RHP Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96 ERA)
RED SOX (32-35):
TBA
Pitching:
RHP Brayan Bello (2-1, 3.91 ERA)
Time:
7:10 p.m.
TV, radio:
NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Rays vs. Bello:
Jonathan Aranda 5-12, José Caballero 4-7, Junior Caminero 0-3, Yandy Díaz 5-12, Danny Jansen 3-10, Brandon Lowe 2-6, Josh Lowe 7-17, Christopher Morel 2-3, Matt Thaiss 1-3, Taylor Walls 1-11
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Red Sox vs. Baz:
Wilyer Abreu 2-6, Kristian Campbell 1-2, Rafael Devers 0-6, Jarren Duran 1-8, Romy González 0-2, David Hamilton 0-2, Carlos Narváez 0-2, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-2, Trevor Story 1-6, Abraham Toro 0-2, Connor Wong 0-3
Stat of the day:
The Red Sox are 16-20 against clubs with a record of .500 or better, and 15-15 against teams below .500.
Notes:
Bello is 2-4 with a 5.73 ERA in seven career appearances against Tampa Bay, including two last season in which he struck out 13 over 11⅔ innings. … Baz is 3-0 against the Red Sox with a 2.37 ERA, posting 24 strikeouts in 19 innings. He struck out 11 and allowed just one run on two hits in six innings of
Pride Night festivities:
The Red Sox are holding their 12th Pride Night to celebrate members of Boston's LGBTQ+ community in pregame ceremonies and entertainment. Kinsey Scales, Boston's premier queer a cappella group, will perform the National Anthem, and a representative from Boston Pride for the People will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
A block party on the Big Concourse will commence after the gates open at 5:40 p.m., featuring a performance by DJ Frenchy and will include local drag performers and Pride themed photo stations.
DJ Harlow Havoc will host a pregame Pride Party on the Sam Adams Deck that is open to all fans attending the game. The club is flying the Intersex Progress Pride flag at the ballpark throughout the day. In recognition of Pride Month, the Red Sox are official sponsors of the Chandler Street Block Party and Boston Pride for the People parade. Fans who ordered tickets through
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Material from Field Level Media was used in this report.
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The Padres are again targeting Duran, league sources told The Athletic's Dennis Lin, which makes sense considering the Red Sox have his replacement, Roman Anthony, the best prospect in baseball, ready to step in. However, Boston needs starting pitching help in return, and the Padres really don't have that to offer. They could dangle their top prospects, but I'm not sure Boston would bite on that type of offer for Duran, who is under team control through 2028. A more realistic trading partner for San Diego could end up being the Angels with Taylor Ward, who has 18 homers and 45 RBIs, but he doesn't get on base (.261 OBP) and profiles as an average type of player. Advertisement Biggest need: 'We just have to play' The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be a legitimate postseason contender. And it's interesting how they've been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don't appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don't have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they'd want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don't expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop, and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point. Biggest need: Bat on the left side of the infield Possible targets: Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks; Miguel Vargas, White Sox; Ryan McMahon, Rockies; Josh Smith, Rangers Favorite target: Miguel Vargas On and off the field, the Brewers are missing Willy Adames, who departed in free agency to the Giants (although Adames has struggled mightily in San Francisco). They miss his offense the most and are looking to improve the left side of their infield, either shortstop or third base, with an offensive upgrade. Vargas could be an option because of his versatility; he could play either infield corner or left field. He is only 25 years old and won't be arbitration-eligible until 2027. Vargas has a 109 OPS+ with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 29 RBIs this season in 245 plate appearances. Biggest need: Third base Possible targets: Alec Bohm, Phillies; Eugenio Suárez, White Sox; Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pirates; Ryan McMahon, Rockies; Bo Bichette, Blue Jays Favorite target: Eugenio Suárez Suárez began his major-league career with the Tigers in 2014, so it would only be fitting if he returned for the back end of his career to help the Tigers get to the World Series. He is batting .228 with a .303 on-base percentage but has produced 18 homers and 48 RBIs. An impending free agent, Suárez would help Detroit lengthen its lineup and supply more three-run homers. He has belted 30 or more homers in three of the past four seasons and is on pace to do it again this year. Advertisement Biggest need: Second or third base Possible targets: Brendan Donovan, Cardinals; Brandon Lowe, Rays; Bo Bichette, Blue Jays; Luis Arraez, Padres; Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks; Ryan McMahon, Rockies Favorite target: Luis Arraez The Yankees would like an offensive upgrade for both DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza and can do so at either second or third base since Jazz Chisholm Jr. is willing to play either position. I like the fit with Donovan because he's a solid two-way player, but the Cardinals are not interested in moving him since they're in the race. I think Lowe would be a great fit with his left-handed power and the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, but I can't see the second-place Rays trading him to a division rival in the middle of a pennant race, and I'd say the same thing about Bichette and the Blue Jays. That might leave Arraez as the best realistic fit. Arraez is not a great defender, but he's won a batting title each of the past three years and would create extra traffic on the bases for New York's sluggers to drive home. I'm just not sure how the Yankees and Padres would fit as trade partners. Biggest need: Left-handed hitter Possible targets: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles; Brandon Lowe, Rays; Jesús Sánchez, Marlins; Jarren Duran, Red Sox; Brendan Donovan, Cardinals; Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks; Luis Arraez, Padres; Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals; Kyle Stowers, Marlins; Josh Smith, Rangers Favorite target: Brandon Lowe The Astros could use another left-handed hitter in their lineup. Enter Lowe, who has a 110 OPS+ and 13 home runs this season. He could become the Astros' everyday second baseman, allowing Jose Altuve to spend all of his time in left field, which is where he should be playing at this stage of his career. Lowe's contract includes an $11.5 million team option for 2026, so the Astros could control him for two postseason runs. Tampa Bay always needs to get younger and is always open to trading players, like Lowe, when they near free agency. Biggest need: Catcher Possible targets: Hunter Goodman, Rockies; Keibert Ruiz, Nationals; Dalton Rushing, Dodgers; Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks; Agustín Ramirez, Marlins; Drake Baldwin, Braves; Sean Murphy, Braves; Samuel Basallo, Orioles; Ethan Salas, Padres Favorite target: Sean Murphy It seems like the Rays are always searching for their long-term solution at catcher but never seem to be able to acquire an impact player for the position, which could happen again this trade deadline. Their best target could be Braves veteran Sean Murphy, who is under team control through 2029. He makes $15 million per year, which should be affordable even for Tampa Bay. The Braves have 24-year-old Drake Baldwin, who should be their everyday catcher, and Atlanta could put the financial savings from dealing Murphy toward acquiring more starting pitching at the deadline. Perhaps the Rays could trade one of their starters for Murphy. He is above average in game-calling, framing, blocking, pop time and throwing, and he also ranks in the 79th percentile in barrel rate. Advertisement Biggest need: A starting pitcher Possible targets: Walker Buehler, Red Sox; Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks; Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks; Zach Eflin, Orioles; Andrew Heaney, Pirates; Nick Martinez, Reds; Zack Littell, Rays Favorite target: Merrill Kelly Kelly has been one of the most underrated, consistent starting pitchers in baseball since 2022, when he went 13-8 with a 3.37 ERA over 33 starts. In 2023, he went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA. Last year, he battled injuries but still posted a 4.03 ERA over 13 starts. This year, he's 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA over 14 starts and he's been healthy aside from some leg issues. He will be a free agent after this season, so it would be a rental for the Blue Jays. If the Diamondbacks decide to sell, they could acquire a couple of mid-level prospects in exchange and then in the offseason look to re-sign Kelly, who prefers to finish his career with Arizona. Biggest need: Left-handed hitter Possible targets: Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals; Kyle Stowers, Marlins; Jesús Sánchez, Marlins Favorite target: Kyle Stowers The Twins are searching for a left-handed hitter and their two best realistic options could end up being Stowers or Sánchez of the Marlins. Stowers is having a breakout season, slashing .280/.347/.479 with eight doubles, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs and a 127 OPS+. He can play either outfield corner and won't be arbitration-eligible until 2027. The prospect price would be costly, but might be worth it if the Twins can find the right match with Miami. Biggest need: Right field Possible targets: Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox; Taylor Ward; Angels; Bryan Reynolds, Pirates; Adolis García, Rangers, Jesús Sánchez, Marlins Favorite target: Jesús Sánchez The Guardians would love to pry Abreu from the Red Sox with the argument that he's blocking Anthony, the game's best prospect, but it appears Boston believes there is a scenario where there's room for both. Reynolds and García are probably too expensive for the Guardians, which might leave Sánchez as the best option. Sánchez, 27, is under team control through 2027 and is making only $4.5 million this year. He is slashing .262/.342/.402 with six doubles, five home runs and six steals over 46 games (187 plate appearances). Advertisement Biggest need: Corner outfielder Possible targets: Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox; Jesús Sánchez, Marlins; Kyle Stowers, Marlins; Lawrence Butler, Athletics; Bryan Reynolds, Pirates; Taylor Ward, Angels; Adolis García, Rangers; Andy Pages, Dodgers; Heliot Ramos, Giants; Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals; Jordan Walker, Cardinals; Austin Hays, Reds; Miguel Andujar, Athletics; Heston Kjerstad, Orioles; Jorge Soler, Angels Favorite target: Taylor Ward The Royals rank last in MLB in home runs and need to add power and length to their lineup. Ward would be a nice fit in left field. He is slashing just .209/.260/.482 but has 12 doubles, 18 homers and 45 RBIs. Combined with the recent promotion of top prospect Jac Caglianone, trading for another power bat could completely change the complexion of their lineup. As good as the Royals' starting pitching, bullpen, defense and offensive contact is, the right acquisition could be the final piece needed to get them back to the playoffs as a wild-card team. Biggest need: Corner infielder Possible targets: Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks; Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks; Yandy Díaz, Rays; Alec Bohm, Phillies; Ben Rice, Yankees; Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles; Coby Mayo, Orioles; Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles; Nathaniel Lowe, Nationals Favorite target: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks The Mariners need a corner infield bat and Naylor would be the best trade target. His left-handed power would be a difference-maker in the middle of the Mariners' lineup and, as an impending free agent, would come with no long-term financial commitment. Naylor is slashing .290/.346/.457 with 15 doubles, eight home runs and 44 RBIs. Last season, he had 27 doubles, 31 home runs and 108 RBIs in helping lead the Guardians to the ALCS. And speaking of Diamondbacks, I also think a reunion with Suárez makes sense for Seattle. (Top image: Zac Gallen: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images; Jarren Duran: Brian Fluharty / Getty Images)
