MLB Game Preview - Tampa Bay at Boston
Thu Aug 1, 2019 7:10 PM EDT

MIN
4
MIA
5
F(12)
SF
2
PHI
10
F
NYM
4
CHW
0
F
MIL
3
OAK
5
F
TOR
11
BAL
2
F
TB
9
BOS
4
F
HOU
7
CLE
1
F
CHC
0
STL
8
F
CIN
1
ATL
4
F
SD
2
LAD
8
F
Status-quo Red Sox look to avoid sweep vs. Rays
Thu Aug 1, 2019 1:42 AM

By not adding any extra pitching ahead of the trade deadline, Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski's message to his team was clear: The pieces are here to get the job done.

It sure didn't look that way a couple hours later.

Now, the Red Sox will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of rival Tampa Bay when they host the Rays in the finale of a three-game series Thursday night.

Right-hander Andrew Cashner (10-5, 4.18 ERA) gets the nod for Boston opposite Tampa Bay rookie left-hander Brendan McKay (1-1, 3.72).

Rumored to be on the hunt for bullpen help after acquiring Cashner from the Baltimore Orioles earlier in July, the Red Sox opted to stand pat Wednesday. Dombrowski said the fact the AL East division title isn't realistically in play was a factor. Manager Alex Cora said he wasn't disappointed in that choice.

"We've got the best offensive team in the big leagues," Cora said. "We've got guys in the rotation who have done it before -- they have to step up, and we trust them. And we have guys in the bullpen that have to do better. That's the bottom line."

Then, Wednesday night's game got underway. Starter Rick Porcello gave up five runs in the first two innings and six total for the fourth time in his last six starts. He expressed his frustration after giving up a first-inning run by smashing two TV monitors in the dugout with his fists -- a sentiment likely shared by most of the team after losing three straight following three big wins over the first-place New York Yankees.

Boston now trails the Oakland A's by two games and Tampa Bay by 2 1/2 in the race for the second American League wild card.

"It's August now," Cora said. "We know where we're at -- we're in a big hole. We've got to play a lot better."

While the Red Sox were quiet Wednesday, the Rays were one of the busiest teams in terms of additions and subtractions. New to the club are first baseman Jesus Aguilar (.225 average, eight home runs) via Milwaukee and right-handers Trevor Richards (4.50 ERA) and Nick Anderson (3.92 ERA) from Miami. Right-hander Jake Faria went back to the Brewers, and righty Ryne Stanek and top outfield prospect Jesus Sanchez comprised the package sent to the Marlins.

Gone in exchange for prospects are left-hander Adam Kolarek (Los Angeles Dodgers) and outfielder Joe McCarthy (San Francisco Giants).

"This time of year, there's prices to be paid, and they can be big prices, and you either got to take a jump at some point and do it or you don't," said Rays general manager Erik Neander. "This is one that we decided to make a jump."

Tampa Bay has won five of its last six games and is 8-6 against the Red Sox this season, with seven of those wins coming in Boston, matching a franchise record (2011).

Cashner picked up his first win with the Red Sox his last time out, giving up three runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Yankees on Friday. He's 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA in five career starts against the Rays.

McKay, recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, will make his fifth major league start and first against Boston. Against the Chicago White Sox on July 19, he surrendered six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in his first loss.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Tampa Bay            
Boston            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Brendan McKay - TB
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Boston
Andrew Cashner - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Tampa Bay

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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