True Blue LA - May 3: Dodgers 10, Rays 5Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2016-05-03T19:22:23-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/113308672016-05-03T19:22:23-07:002016-05-03T19:22:23-07:00Dodgers, Kazmir go deep to win opener
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><span>Howie Kendrick</span> and <span>Trayce Thompson</span> keyed a four-run rally in the fifth inning, and <span>Scott Kazmir</span> pitched into the seventh to lift the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> 10-5 in the opener of a two-game series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>The sudden offensive outburst matched the Dodgers' total runs scored in the final six games of their homestand.</p>
<p>Kendrick broke a tie in the fifth inning with a double into the left field corner with the bases loaded to score two runs. The hit got several monkeys off the back of Kendrick, who struggled mightily to open the season.</p>
<p>It was his first extra-base hit of the season, his first run(s) batted in of the season, and coupled with his second-inning single his first multi-hit game of the year. Kendrick before the two-run double reached 60 plate appearances, <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/z3bPD">tied for the second-most in Los Angeles Dodgers history to start a season without an extra-base hit or RBI</a>.</p>
<p>Kendrick matched third baseman Ken McMullen's start in 1964 and outfielder John Shelby's opening to the 1989 season, surpassed only by the 67 plate appearances to start 1995 by catcher <span>Carlos Hernandez</span>.</p>
<p>Kendrick, who was 8-for-56 (.143) entering play on Tuesday, had four hits on the night.</p>
<p>Thompson followed with a two-run single to beat the shift, giving the Dodgers a four-run advantage. The hit also gave Thompson a new career high with four RBI.</p>
<p><span>Yasiel Puig</span> added a titanic three-run shot in the ninth inning to put the game away, giving the Dodgers their first game with three home runs all season.</p>
<p>It marked the first time the Dodgers <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201004130.shtml" target="_blank">got home runs from all three starting outfielders since April 13, 2010</a>, when Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier all went deep against Arizona.</p>
<h4>Too sexy</h4>
<p>The first two RBI for Thompson came in the second inning, with a mammoth home run that was so high it caused the Tropicana Field ground rules to come into play.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thompson's HR in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@Dodgers</a> 2nd hit the C-ring (and hasn't come down). It's only the 6th fair ball to hit and lodge in a Trop catwalk.</p>
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/727650734435500032">May 4, 2016</a>
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<p>But after the Dodgers took a 2-1 lead, it wasn't only right, said <strike>Fred</strike> <span>Joc Pederson</span>, who hit a ball over the center field wall to pad the Dodgers advantage. It was the first start of the season against a left-hander for Pederson, whose home run off <span>Matt Moore</span> was his first hit in seven at-bat against southpaws this season.</p>
<h4>Kazmir & going deep</h4>
<p>Rays catcher <span>Curt Casali</span>, who took a pitch on a bad bounce off his neck in the fourth inning, a ball that somehow found its way under his face mask, stayed in the game and one inning later launched a no-doubter into the left field seats for a two-run home run that tied the score at 3-3.</p>
<p>It was the second home run of the season for Casali, just 8-for-51 (.157) on the season. He hit 10 home runs in 113 plate appearances in 2015.</p>
<p>Kazmir would give up a solo shot to <span>Steve Pearce</span> later, and has allowed a team-high seven home runs in 139 batters faced this season, but there were more positive signs in his start on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Kazmir struck out a season-high nine, his most in 36 starts, and his 6⅔ innings represented a season high. He threw 111 pitches on Tuesday after throwing 113 in six innings last Wednesday, and only walked one on the night, the fifth time in six starts this season Kazmir has walked zero or one batter.</p>
<p>The win was the 100th for Kazmir in his career, including 28 at Tropicana Field, his home ballpark in his first six major league seasons.</p>
<h4>Setting it up</h4>
<p><span>Joe Blanton</span>, thrust a bit higher in the bullpen depth chart with the recent struggles of <span>Chris Hatcher</span>, recorded the final out of the seventh inning to strand a runner on base, then breezed through the eighth inning as well, needing just 10 pitches to record his four outs.</p>
<p>It was the 10th straight scoreless appearance for Blanton, dating back to April 10.</p>
<p><span>J.P. Howell</span> pitched the ninth inning with a six-run lead, but after two walks, a hit batter and 30 pitches later, he left with the bases loaded, a run in, and <span>Kenley Jansen</span> coming in to put out the fire.</p>
<p>Jansen got pinch hitter <span>Corey Dickerson</span> to fly out to end the game, recording his 10th save of the season.</p>
<h4>Crowded house</h4>
<p>The Rays scored in the first inning off Kazmir thanks to an RBI double by <span>Evan Longoria</span>, his former teammate. That double scored <span>Brandon Guyer</span>, who was hit by a pitch for the whopping seventh time already this season. Through 25 team games, that puts Guyer on pace for 46 HBP this season, which would be the fifth-most in any season.</p>
<p>But the kicker is that Tuesday was just Guyer's 15th game of the season. He has been hit by seven pitches in just 49 plate appearances. Guyer led the American League with 24 HBP in 2015 despite playing in just 128 games and amassing 385 PA.</p>
<p>It was reminiscent of <span>Mike Kinkade</span>, the former Dodger whose 16 HBP in 2003 <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/OlK7H" target="_blank">are second-most in LA Dodgers history</a> despite only 191 plate appearances that season for Kinkade.</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p>The Dodgers finish their Tampa two-step with Wednesday night's series finale. It's another battle of left-handers, with <span>Alex Wood</span> on the mound for the Dodgers against <span>Drew Smyly</span> for the Rays.</p>
<h4>Tuesday partiiculars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: Trayce Thompson (2), Joc Pederson (4), Yasiel Puig (3); Curt Casali (2), Steve Pearce (2)</p>
<p><b>WP - Scott Kazmir (2-2)</b>: 6⅔ IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Matt Moore (1-3)</b>: 4⅓ IP, 8 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Kenley Jansen (10)</b>: 1 up, 1 down</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/3/11584548/howie-kendrick-trayce-thompson-scott-kazmir-dodgers-rays-recapEric Stephen2016-05-03T12:12:53-07:002016-05-03T12:12:53-07:00Pederson gets rare start vs. LHP
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><span>Joc Pederson</span> gets his first start against a left-handed starting pitcher this season, getting the call in center field against <span>Matt Moore</span> and the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> in the opener of their two-game series at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>Pederson sat in each of the first six games against a southpaw this season, and on the year has 70 of his 77 plate appearances (90.9 percent) have come against right-handed pitching. Pederson is 0-for-6 with a walk against lefties this season, after hitting .216/.297/.385 against them in 2015.</p>
<p><span>Trayce Thompson</span> started in center field in the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>' previous six games against lefties, and gets the call in left field on Tuesday night.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0" align="center" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125" bgcolor="#79bdee" align="center" colspan="2"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rays</b></font></td>
<td width="125" bgcolor="#1e90ff" align="center" colspan="2"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Forsythe</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Hernandez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Guyer</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Longoria</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Pearce</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Souza</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Jennings</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Thompson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Beckham</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Kiermaier (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Casali</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Culberson</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Tropicana Field<br><b>Time</b>: 4:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br><b>Radio</b>: AM 570</span>
</div>
<p>Pederson is one of just two left-handed hitters in the Dodgers' lineup against Moore, joining first baseman <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, who is in the midst of a career-worst-tying 0-for-20 stretch, though with four walks during that span.</p>
<p><span>Corey Seager</span> sits for the fourth time against a left-hander this season, with <span>Charlie Culberson</span> at shortstop. <span>Howie Kendrick</span> gets the call at second base.</p>
<p><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> is the Dodgers' first designated hitter of the season, and has been their best hitter against lefties this season. Hernandez is 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs, two doubles and five walks against southpaws this season, but he is also hitless in his last nine at-bats against them (with four of the five walks during that span).</p>
<p>Hernandez since the beginning of 2015 is hitting .418/.482/.755 against left-handed pitchers, with 19 extra-base hits in 112 plate appearances.</p>
<p>Third baseman <span>Evan Longoria</span> has faced <span>Scott Kazmir</span> the most among the Rays, going 4-for-13 (.308) with a home run and two walks, including 3-for-5 with that home run last season.</p>
<p><span>Tim Beckham</span>, getting the call at shortstop for the Rays, is 2-for-6 with a home run and a triple against Kazmir, while desginated hitter <span>Brandon Guyer</span> is 3-for-6. Leadoff man Logan Forysthe is 1-for-3 with three walks against Kazmir for a .667 on-base percentage.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/3/11575968/joc-pederson-dodgers-rays-lineups-interleague-playEric Stephen2016-05-03T11:00:03-07:002016-05-03T11:00:03-07:00Dodgers' last visit to each AL park
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<img alt="Russell Martin stole two bases in the series the last time the Dodgers played at Tampa Bay, much to the chagrin of Ty Wigginton." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JWw_4AbkXpMlrKHA9wdSIHaEsJw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49480009/russell-martin-ty-wigginton-tampa-bay-2007-getty.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russell Martin stole two bases in the series the last time the Dodgers played at Tampa Bay, much to the chagrin of Ty Wigginton. | <a href='http://www.gettyimages.com'>Photo: Getty Images</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> making a rare visit to Tampa Bay, or technically St. Petersburg, they are ending one of their longest interleague droughts.</p>
<p>The last time the Dodgers played at Tropicana Field was in 2007. Only Cleveland, where they haven't played the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indians</a> since 2003, has eluded the Dodgers for longer. Assuming interleague play remains on the same rotation, the Dodgers will play the American League Central next year with a chance to end both that drought and the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">White Sox</a>, with the Dodgers last on the south side of Chicago in 2011.</p>
<p>This season, the Dodgers travel in interleague play to Tampa Bay, Toronto (last played there in 2013) and New York (2013). It will be just the Dodgers' second trip ever to Yankee Stadium during the regular season.</p>
<p>Interleague play began in 1997 but the first five seasons the play was limited to just one division. The Dodgers first ventured outside the AL West in 2002, and have played the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> — their designated natural rival — every season.</p>
<p>Below is a look at the Dodgers' road history with every AL team other than the Angels, with the number of visits to each city, the Dodgers' record in that city, and their last visit.</p>
<table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Dodgers road history in interleague play (1997-2015) </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Team</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Number of visits</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Dodgers road record</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Last visit</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Indians</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3-0</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2003</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3-3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2007</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1-5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2010</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">White Sox</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2-7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2011</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">5-6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1-1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">6-3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3-3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2-4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3-5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">4-5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">7-6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">0-3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2-14</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" colspan="2" style="text-align: left;"><b>Totals</b></td>
<td valign="top" colspan="2">
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>42-65 (.393)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>20-33 (.377) in Anaheim</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/3/11575978/dodgers-interleague-play-road-records-last-visitsEric Stephen2016-05-03T10:00:06-07:002016-05-03T10:00:06-07:00Kazmir on familiar ground in opener with Rays
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a-RbEU7PoaZ2vBRtkGf47P2qx34=/112x0:3121x2006/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49476585/GettyImages-74126439.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Benc/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Just like the last time the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> played the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> on the road, <span>Scott Kazmir</span> will start a game in the series. The veteran left-hander starts the opener of a quickie two-game set on Tuesday evening at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>The last time the Dodgers played here, Kazmir was a young Devil Ray, on his way to leading the American League with 239 strikeouts in 2007. The Dodgers and Rays met from June 22-24, 2007, with Kazmir starting the middle game for Tampa Bay.</p>
<p>He got a no-decision in his quality start, allowing three runs in six innings with five walks and five strikeouts.</p>
<p>Back to the present, Kazmir has been steadily improving since his pair of four-inning clunkers against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>. He allowed four runs in five innings in Coors Field, then tossed a quality start at home against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a>, allowing two runs in six innings while striking out a season-high six.</p>
<p>This is just the third time back in St. Petersburg for Kazmir since the Rays traded him in 2009. He is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA as a visitor at Tropicana Field, winning in 2010 with the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> and losing in 2015 with the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a>.</p>
<p>Kazmir in his career at Tropicana Field is 27-18 with a 3.64 ERA in 73 starts, with 468 strikeouts and 189 walks in 429⅔ innings. The southpaw <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/oiqGA" target="_blank">ranks third all-time in the stadium's history in starts, wins, innings and strikeouts</a>, behind <span>James Shields</span> and <span>David Price</span> in each category.</p>
<h4>American League woes</h4>
<p>The Dodgers have played nearly a full season's worth of regular season games in American League parks, going 62-98 (.388) in road games since interleague play began in 1997. That included 2-8 against the AL West in 2015.</p>
<p>At home in interleague play the Dodgers have fared much better, going 86-68 (.558).</p>
<p>That split has held in the limited times the Dodgers have played Tampa Bay as well, going 2-4 at Tropicana Field — dropping two of three games in both 2002 and 2007 — and sweeping a three-game series in 2013 in the Rays' only visit to Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h4>On the mound</h4>
<p>Tuesday marks <span>Matt Moore</span> 's first career start against the Dodgers. So far this season the Tampa Bay lefty is holding hitters to just .217/.271/.333 with a 27.1-percent strikeout rate.</p>
<p>This is the fifth time in six starts in 2016 that Moore will pitch at home, where he has a 3.20 ERA to go with 30 strikeouts and five walks in 25⅓ innings in 2016.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have outscored opponents 21-8 in the first inning this season, behind only the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a> and <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> in opening-frame tallies in 2016. But so far this season, Moore hasn't allowed a single run in the first inning, holding batters to just 1-for-16 with five strikeouts this season.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 4:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/3/11575480/scott-kazmir-interleague-play-dodgers-rays-preview-matt-mooreEric Stephen2016-05-03T09:59:03-07:002016-05-03T09:59:03-07:00Dodgers-Rays series snapshot
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8TFtDK6vLPAIhZAOKx7ZA64P_Hg=/0x0:3797x2531/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49476665/GettyImages-523932508.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Interleague play is back for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>, beginning with five games this week against the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> and <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a>. The Dodgers begin with two games at Tampa Bay, with the Rays the one American League East squad they play four times this season instead of three.</p>
<p>The Rays return the favor with a trip to Los Angeles for two games on July 26-27. But first, here is a look at the two teams heading into their two-game set at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>Teams: Dodgers (13-13) vs. Rays (11-13)</p>
<p>Split records: Dodgers on road (8-5), Rays at home (8-8)</p>
<p>Run differential: Dodgers (+9, 13th in MLB), Rays (-8, 18th in MLB)</p>
<p>Runs scored: Dodgers 4.08 per game (16th), Rays 3.21 (30th)</p>
<p>OPS+: Dodgers 84 (25th), Rays 91 (t-20th)</p>
<p>(Non-pitcher) wRC+: Dodgers 90 (23rd), Rays 91 (22nd)</p>
<p>Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.73 (eighth), Rays 3.54 (seventh)</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Dodgers vs. Rays 2016 </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><u><b>Day</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Date</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Location</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Time (PT)</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Tue</td>
<td align="left">May 3</td>
<td align="left">St. Petersburg</td>
<td align="left">4:10 p.m.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Wed</td>
<td align="left">May 4</td>
<td align="left">St. Petersburg</td>
<td align="left">4:10 p.m.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Tue</td>
<td align="left">Jul 26</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left">7:10 p.m.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Wed</td>
<td align="left">Jul 27</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left">12:10 p.m.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>ERA+: Dodgers 114 (eighth), Rays 111 (ninth)</p>
<p>Last 10 games: Dodgers 3-7, Rays 5-5</p>
<p>All-time head-to-head record: Dodgers 5-4 (Rays 4-2 at home)</p>
<p>Last meeting: 2013 (Dodgers home sweep)</p>
<p>Last meeting at Tampa Bay: 2007 (<i>Devil </i>Rays 2-1)</p>
<p>2015 interleague play: Dodgers 10-10 (2-8 on road), Rays 14-6 (8-2 at home)</p>
<p>Rays SB Nation site: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRays Bay</a></p>
<h4>Series Schedule</h4>
<p><i><a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/2/11548486/dodgers-rays-schedule-tv-game-time-starting-pitchers" target="_blank">Pitching matchups</a>:</i></p>
<p>Tuesday, 4:10 p.m. PT: <span>Scott Kazmir</span> vs. LHP <span>Matt Moore</span> (SportsNet LA)<br>Wednesday, 4:10 p.m.: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. LHP <span>Drew Smyly</span> (SportsNet LA)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/3/11553562/dodgers-rays-series-statistics-overvew-interleague-playEric Stephen2016-05-02T20:07:40-07:002016-05-02T20:07:40-07:00Rays offense, like Dodgers, struggling too
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GMuNFyY5EG5vvaO2idxiCJaGwp0=/0x148:4557x3186/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49475299/usa-today-9239373.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As the lumbering <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> offensive train moves into American League territory for five interleague games this week, they can take solace that they are not alone in offensive woes. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> have been among the worst offensive teams in baseball in 2016, and host the Dodgers for two games beginning Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay had higher hopes that its offense would better complement their young pitching staff in 2016, so much so that at the end of spring training <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/are-rays-sacrificing-defense-for-offense/2271488" target="_blank">the Tampa Bay Times wondered if the club was sacrificing some of its patented defense for offense</a>.</p>
<p>"You have to have balance. You have to have balance. We learned for the last eight years that just being pitching heavy is probably not the way to do it," starting pitcher <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/are-rays-sacrificing-defense-for-offense/2271488" target="_blank">Chris Archer told Marc Topkin in March</a>. "You've got to have defense. You've got to have pitching — the teams that win get high-level pitching, starting and relief. But you've got to have offense, too."</p>
<p>The key additions to the Rays were outfielder <span>Corey Dickerson</span>, shortstop <span>Brad Miller</span>, first basemen and outfielders <span>Steve Pearce</span> and <span>Logan Morrison</span>, and catcher <span>Hank Conger</span>.</p>
<p>But so far the Rays are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2016-standard-batting.shtml#teams_standard_batting::3">dead last in the majors in scoring, at just 3.21 runs per game</a>, hitting just .229/.283/.356 as a team.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay has been held to three or fewer runs in 18 of their 24 games, <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/ZjQ11">the most in baseball</a>, and are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> at six games with four or more runs scored, <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/TrUlN">the fewest in baseball</a>.</p>
<p>The Dodgers haven't been much better, with 16 of their 26 games at three runs or less, and just 10 games scoring four or more runs. The Dodgers are 16th in MLB at 4.08 runs per game, though when adjusting for park and league have been slightly worse on a peripheral basis, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=16,d">with a 90 wRC+ from their non-pitchers, compared to a 91 wRC+ by the Rays</a>.</p>
<p>The Rays, like the Dodgers, should be better on offense and likely will be. But it's just a question of degree. Tampa Bay thought they turned a corner in an 8-1 win at Yankee Stadium on April 24, capping a 31-run, six-game road trip.</p>
<p>"We got off to a slow start," <a target="new" href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/birthday-boy-souza-homers-twice-rays-thump-yankees/2274519">outfielder Steven Souza told Topkin</a>. "We faced some tough pitchers early on, some real good ones. This last week and a half or so, guys are starting to find their groove, and more guys are going to fall in behind that and find their groove. That's what you're seeing."</p>
<p>But after that eight-run outburst, the Rays scored just 12 runs in six games last week, while the Dodgers were busy scoring 12 runs in <i>seven</i> games.</p>
<p>I'd suggest betting the under for these two games, but baseball is just weird enough to give us a pair of offensive shootouts (instead of shutouts) at Tropicana Field.</p>
<h4>Swing away</h4>
<p>One thing noticeable with the Rays in 2016 is that they swing at the first pitch more often than anybody, both in volume and frequency. Entering Monday, Tampa Bay swung at the first pitch 315 times in 861 plate appearances, 36.6 percent of the time. Major league hitters on the whole this year have swung at the first pitch 28.0 percent of the time this season.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are slightly above average this season, swinging at 30.1 percent of first pitches in 2016.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="6">Best Rays hitters, 2016 </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Player</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>PA</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>BA/OBP/SLG</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>wOBA</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><u>wRC+</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Logan Forsythe</span></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">98</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.337/.418/.593</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.433</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">193</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Brandon Guyer</span></td>
<td style="text-align: left;">OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">45</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.297/.422/.405</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.378</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">152</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Steven Souza</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">RF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">83</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.260/.313/.494</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.348</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">130</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<span>Kevin Kiermaier</span> (L)</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">CF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">76</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.239/.329/.448</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">.340</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" style="text-align: left;"><i>Source: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBR/2016.shtml#team_batting::21" target="_blank">Baseball-Reference</a> & <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=12&rost=0&age=0" target="_blank">FanGraphs</a></i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>But the Rays' aggression hasn't stopped with the first pitch. Their non-pitchers have <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=5&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d" target="_blank">swung at 70.3-percent of pitches in the strike zone</a>, the most in baseball, and their 77.6-percent contact rate on those swings <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=5&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=6,d" target="_blank">is the lowest in baseball</a>.</p>
<p>They swing early, swing often, and miss often, too. The resulting 26-percent strikeout rate by their non-pitchers <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=5&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d" target="_blank">trails only the Astros</a>.</p>
<h4>Lefties galore</h4>
<p>This was a week made for <span>Scott Van Slyke</span>, with the designated hitter available for five games and a pair of left-handed pitchers starting for Tampa Bay. But unfortunately Van Slyke is still sidelined on the disabled list with back soreness, and <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/1/11548992/yasiel-puig-lead-off-dodger-lineup" target="_blank">doesn't really have a timetable for a return any time soon</a>.</p>
<p>The Dodgers will also throw two left-handed pitchers against the Rays, which should tell us a few things.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay has faced seven left-handed starting pitchers this season, and Pearce started at first base in all seven games, which means Morrison and his 6-for-64 (.094) start will likely be on the bench versus Los Angeles. Brandon Guyer has started all seven games, spread around the three outfield positions, and <span>Tim Beckham</span> has started six of the seven games, including five games at shortstop and once at second base.</p>
<p><span>Curt Casali</span> has started 15 of 24 games behind the plate for the Rays, including all seven games against lefties, which means the Dodgers likely won't get to face Hank Conger, who just saw <a href="http://www.tbo.com/sports/rays/rays-notes-after-48-steals-conger-gets-his-man-20160502/" target="_blank">his streak of 48 straight stolen bases against him snapped by throwing out a runner on Sunday</a>.</p>
<p>Conger this season has allowed 11 steals in 12 attempts in just 80 innings, while the running game is virtually nonexistent with Casali as the backstop, with four steals in four attempts in 132⅔ innings.</p>
<p>On the Dodgers' side, to date <span>Joc Pederson</span> has been in a platoon, sitting against all six lefty starters, and with only seven of his 77 plate appearances this season coming against southpaws. But manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> was adamant that Pederson wasn't in a platoon, <a target="_blank" href="http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2016/04/27/for-dave-roberts-lefty-righty-not-quite-almighty/">suggesting that he could start in one of these games in St. Petersburg</a>.</p>
<h4>Less pulp at home</h4>
<p>The Rays are averaging only 2.63 runs per game at home this season, yet are somehow still 8-8 at Tropicana Field. That is thanks in large part to a starting rotation that has 10 quality starts in 16 home games, with only one pitcher - Wednesday night starter <span>Drew Smyly</span> - allowing more than three runs in a start.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay starting pitchers at home in 2016 have a 2.45 ERA, with 113 strikeouts and 24 walks in 99⅓ innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/2/11573774/rays-offense-swinging-dodgers-leftiesEric Stephen2016-05-02T15:00:03-07:002016-05-02T15:00:03-07:00Dodgers-Rays probable starting pitchers
<figure>
<img alt="Matt Moore (right) starts Tuesday for the Rays, with Drew Smyly (left) starting Wednesday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QYJAiolBP7XW_L6d5Y45KGxTzKA=/0x169:1551x1203/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49466867/usa-today-8038274.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Moore (right) starts Tuesday for the Rays, with Drew Smyly (left) starting Wednesday night. | Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> play their first American League opponent of the year on Tuesday, traveling to Tampa for a quick two-game set with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>. This is just the fourth time in 20 seasons of interleague play that these two teams have matched up, and the first time in Florida since 2007.</p>
<p>Here is a quick look at the schedule and pitching matchups for the series, which is chock full of starters who have to use special scissors.</p>
<h4>Tuesday, 4:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p>The last time the Dodgers and Rays played in Tampa Bay was June 22-24, 2007, and <span>Scott Kazmir</span> — the American League leader that year with 239 strikeouts — started the middle game for the Rays. This time, Kazmir starts for the Dodgers, looking to build off his quality start at home last Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Fellow left-hander <span>Matt Moore</span> starts the opener for the Rays, having lasted at least six innings in each of his last four starts. He has 35 strikeouts against seven walks in his 32 innings this season. Lefties (in a small sample size of just 22 plate appearances) have fared better against Moore in 2016, hitting .318/.348/.455 compared to .194/.255/.306 (in 106 plate appearances) for right-handers.</p>
<h4>Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p>The Dodgers <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11547244/dodgers-shake-up-rotation-order-for-upcoming-road-trip" target="_blank">shuffled their starting rotation</a> so <span>Alex Wood</span> wouldn't have to face the lefty-murdering trio of <span>Jose Bautista</span>, <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> and <span>Josh Donaldson</span> in Toronto on Friday, though it is interesting to note that in the early going in 2016 the Rays have hit left-handed pitchers better (.251/.315/.419) than the Jays (.219/.283/.416).</p>
<p><span>Drew Smyly</span>, yet another lefty, has four straight quality starts and is averaging just a tick under seven innings per start this season. He has 41 strikeouts against only six walks to go with his 2.60 ERA this season, and since joining the Rays from Detroit in the <span>David Price</span> trade in 2014 has a 2.54 ERA in 24 starts with a strikeout rate of 28.1 percent.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 4-3 against left-handed starting pitchers in 2016, while the Rays are 5-2.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/5/2/11548486/dodgers-rays-schedule-tv-game-time-starting-pitchersEric Stephen