Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions July 27th 2024

Reds Aim to Continue Rebound Against Rays

After an unpleasant start post-All-Star break, the Cincinnati Reds are back on track and looking strong. As they continue with their three-game interleague series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Reds aim to expand on their new achievement.

Reds Getting comfortable with Themselves

Cincinnati has made something happen, dominating three straight matches after a four-game series of failures. They presently sit 4.5 games behind the final National League wild-card spot, making this end of the week’s series crucial for their playoff trusts.

This series could also impact the Reds’ strategy at Tuesday’s trade deadline, deciding if they will be purchasers or dealers.

“Each game is colossal at this point,” said Cincinnati pitcher Nick Lodolo. “We know where we’re at and we know what’s at stake. We simply have to hold assembling strong successes. The last three games have been great.”

Grasp Performance in Series Opener

In the series opener on Friday, Stuart Fairchild multiplied home the tiebreaking run in the tenth inning, assisting the Reds with getting a 3-2 win. Alexis Diaz kept his twentieth save in 22 valuable open doors, emphasizing the team’s force.

“It’s very important for this team to keep on rolling because we know what’s out there (Tuesday),” Diaz said.

Rays’ Trade Deadline Moves

Regardless of being only five games out of a playoff position, the Rays have picked to sell central participants. On Thursday, they traded passed on defender Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, trailed by sending starting pitcher Zach Eflin to the Baltimore Orioles a day later.

“We’ll hang in there this year and make sure we’re strong enough to be out of the gates in a really strong place next year,” said Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander.

Yandy Diaz Returns

Tampa Bay invited first baseman Yandy Diaz back to the setup on Friday after he missed seven games because of a family matter. Diaz went 1-for-5 in his most memorable game since July 14.

“Obviously, I didn’t play in a few games,” Yandy Diaz said. “But I think playing in a game or two, playing (Friday), I think it’ll get me back in a rhythm.”

Pitching Matchup

Zack Littell for the Rays

Tampa Bay will send right-hander Zack Littell (3-7, 4.46 ERA) to the hill on Saturday. Littell is hoping to bounce back after surrendering five runs north of 5 2/3 innings in a 9-1 misfortune to the New York Yankees on Monday.

“I don’t have the foggiest idea. It’s a bizarre game,” Littell said after the misfortune. “I figure any given day I might have done the exact same thing I did today and had a great day, and occasionally you simply don’t.”

Littell has battled as of late, posting a 7.47 ERA across 15 2/3 innings in his last three starts. Nevertheless, he has a 3.00 ERA in three career alleviation appearances against Cincinnati.

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Andrew Abbott for the Reds

Cincinnati’s left-hander Andrew Abbott (9-6, 3.19 ERA) will take the hill, aiming to proceed with major areas of strength for him. Abbott has allowed something like one earned run in three of his last four starts, with a 2-0 record and a 2.31 ERA over that stretch.

Abbott, 25, allowed two unearned runs more than 6 2/3 innings in a no-ruling against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. He will make his most memorable career appearance against Tampa Bay.

Roster Moves

Reds outfielder TJ Friedl was activated off the harmed list before Friday’s game and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run while batting cleanup. To make space for Friedl, outfielder Rece Hinds, who hit five homeruns in his initial six games, was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.