True Blue LA - May 26: Rays 9, Dodgers 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2023-05-26T18:26:25-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/235022392023-05-26T18:26:25-07:002023-05-26T18:26:25-07:00Rays eat Noah Syndergaard alive to beat Dodgers
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CguwGhMdEAofGvIeogjW2iHM3Es=/0x0:4081x2721/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72317406/usa_today_20762799.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p> Syndergaard’s ERA is 6.27, </p> <p id="kB5iFZ">The Rays lineup is a tough matchup for anyone in 2023. <em>As a team</em> this season, Tampa Bay’s .271/.347/.501 line and 139 wRC+ is roughly equivalent to Mookie Betts’ excellent career 136 wRC+. The Rays were especially taxing for Noah Syndergaard in Friday night’s 9-3 win over the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.</p>
<p id="NZ0va6">A big part of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/25/23736594/dodgers-rotation-question-marks-injuries-rookies">the Dodgers pitching woes of the last week and a half</a> is that Syndergaard now occupies such a prominent role on the depth chart. The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/12/23721989/noah-syndergaard-bullpen-session-dodgers-blister-right-index-finger">blister issues of his right index finger</a> <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/14/23722702/noah-syndergaard-clayton-kershaw-dodgers-rotation-schedule">seem to have been resolved</a>, in that he can pitch with an adhesive covering the blister.</p>
<p id="N1A1Hc">But the real blistering has come off the bats of hitters <em>facing</em> Syndergaard. Four Rays had hard-hit balls in the first inning, including Yandy Díaz’s 109.8-mph double to lead off the frame and Jose Lowe’s 104.4-mph single that gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.</p>
<p id="Z9o3vu">Lowe also stole second base, because Syndergaard is the easiest pitcher against whom to take extra bases. The Rays stole three off of Syndergaard and four total against the Dodgers on Friday, increasing their MLB-best total to 66 stolen bases on the season. Syndergaard on the season has allowed 15 stolen bases. That leads the majors, just like he led the majors in steals allowed in 2022 (30 steals), 2019 (42), 2018 (32), and 2016 (48), his last four full seasons.</p>
<p id="Qh1BYs">Two more runs came in the second inning, which started with a double, walk, and single. Such is the problem for Syndergaard, who induced just eight swinging strikes among his 94 pitches on the night.</p>
<p id="eSF43v">Syndergaard allowed 11 hard-hit balls on Friday, defined as any batted ball with an exit velocity of 95 mph or higher. That included Díaz’s solo home run in the fourth inning, 100.1 mph off the bat.</p>
<p id="pwM9wP">To Syndergaard’s credit, he did retire his final seven batters faced to get through six innings, the <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/4fWiH">only Dodgers starter to last that long in the last 12 games</a>. But the damage was already done.</p>
<p id="DfoNLq">Things could have been even worse were it not for <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/1662261162707230721">Chris Taylor making <em>two</em> incredible leaping catches at the wall in left field in successive innings</a>, one with Syndergaard in the game in the sixth and again with left-hander Justin Bruihl on the hill in the seventh.</p>
<p id="nwhMPD">Opposing hitters are batting .298/.337/.476 against Syndergaard this season. </p>
<p id="UEnGcH">Among the 109 major league pitchers with at least 40 innings this season, Syndergaard <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=40&type=1&season=2023&month=33&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=17,a&page=4_30">ranks 102nd in ERA</a> (6.27), <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=40&type=1&season=2023&month=33&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=18,a&page=3_30">66th in FIP</a> (4.50), and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=40&type=1&season=2023&month=33&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=7,d&page=4_30">97th in strikeout rate</a> (16.1 percent).</p>
<p id="7LIikS">Syndergaard doesn’t miss bats, he gets hit hard, and when anyone gets on base it’s incredibly easy to take extra bases. Other than literally nobody else on the major league depth chart being available at the moment, there is no compelling reason for Syndergaard to continue to start games for the Dodgers.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Just not a lot of positive emotion right now when I think about pitching in particular... going to continue to work my butt off between starts to snap out of this." Noah Syndergaard discusses his ongoing struggles. <a href="https://t.co/mvJTHcIzDT">pic.twitter.com/mvJTHcIzDT</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1662277699585609728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"It's certainly not ideal," Dave Roberts said of Noah Syndergaard's 6.27 ERA through 10 starts. Said the Dodgers don't have an immediate internal option available right now – "I think right now, we've got to continue to run him out there and expect better results."</p>— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1662282515296534528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="p4Evud">Friday particulars</h3>
<p id="jJZOd9"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Yandy Díaz (12), Jose Siri (9)</p>
<p id="aqbeko"><strong>WP — Cooper Criswell (1-1)</strong>: 4 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p id="y6Nnp2"><strong>LP — Noah Syndergaard (1-4)</strong>: 5 IP, 8 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts</p>
<h3 id="RjbZcQ">Up next</h3>
<p id="JUmYaU">Clayton Kershaw was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23737682/dodgers-roster-clayton-kershaw-activated-tayler-scott">activated off bereavement list on Friday</a> and will start the middle game of the series for the Dodgers on Saturday (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23735512/dodgers-schedule-rays-game-times-tv-pitching">1:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA</a>). He’ll face Tyler Glasnow, who is making his 2023 debut after missing the first eight weeks with an oblique strain.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23739325/rays-feast-noah-syndergaard-dodgersEric Stephen2023-05-26T15:17:00-07:002023-05-26T15:17:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Rays Game I chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xa8RTLMwmMZ-1T08Oem-tNtlgkc=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72317070/527804950.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="WTSInk">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and Rays start things off at The Trop.</p>
<h3 id="SUJJZB">Related reading</h3>
<aside id="bDzeFf"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Hello, Burdi","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23739170/dodgers-roster-zack-burdi-waivers-rays"},{"title":"Clayton Kershaw back, will start Saturday","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23737682/dodgers-roster-clayton-kershaw-activated-tayler-scott"},{"title":"Dodgers vs. Rays series info","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23735512/dodgers-schedule-rays-game-times-tv-pitching"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="p0WHe7">Starting lineups</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> lineup at Rays: <a href="https://t.co/kHGbE6t5A4">pic.twitter.com/kHGbE6t5A4</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1662175753482514432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rays</a> lineup with Diaz back, and Beeks as opener <a href="https://t.co/8oFuPLFSNI">pic.twitter.com/8oFuPLFSNI</a></p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/1662173846173097990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="fdr9Tx">Game info</h3>
<ul>
<li id="ZL3WE1">Teams: Dodgers at Rays</li>
<li id="tQFNfP">Ballpark: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg</li>
<li id="ipxAAz">Time: 3:40 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="yx3Lxu">TV: SportsNet LA</li>
<li id="dwj5Kq">Radio: AM 570 (English); KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)</li>
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https://www.truebluela.com/23738191/dodgers-rays-game-chatEric Stephen2023-05-26T12:52:38-07:002023-05-26T12:52:38-07:00Dodgers claim Zack Burdi off waivers from Rays
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<img alt="MLB: APR 27 Rays at White Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kWOX7Zl7ZrneOE1XYxkigzr5_sg=/0x0:4227x2818/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72316711/1252242051.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tyler Cyr was transferred to 60-day injured list</p> <p id="VMGcQt">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Friday claimed right-hander Zack Burdi off waivers from the Rays, just before these two teams will play a weekend series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.</p>
<p id="8I3cLX">Burdi was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on Wednesday, one day after <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/2023/5/23/23735321/tb-1-tor-more-burdi-and-the-rays-lay-an-egg">he allowed six runs in one inning of relief against Toronto</a>. Burdi has pitched in three games this season for the Rays, with a combined three scoreless innings in his first two appearances.</p>
<p id="yCfQSq">He joins a Dodgers team that has cycled through pitchers in <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/25/23736594/dodgers-rotation-question-marks-injuries-rookies">a trying week and a half</a>, using 19 different pitchers in the last 10 games. And that doesn’t even include Tayler Scott, who was active for all three games in Atlanta but did not pitch, and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23737682/dodgers-roster-clayton-kershaw-activated-tayler-scott">was optioned to Triple-A earlier Friday</a>.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="8rgPrD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers 40-man roster","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/16/23596648/dodgers-roster-2023-transactions"},{"title":"Injured list tracker","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/3/30/23630044/los-angeles-dodgers-injured-list-tracker-2023"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="voKSP7">One of those 19 pitchers used by the Dodgers in the last week and a half is Tyler Cyr, who was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/23/23734788/dodgers-roster-bobby-miller-dustin-may-60-day-tyler-cyr">placed on the injured list on Tuesday with a right-shoulder impingement</a>. Cyr on Friday was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/16/23596648/dodgers-roster-2023-transactions">the 40-man roster</a> for Burdi. For Cyr, that means the earliest he could be activated is July 20.</p>
<p id="RhyKd8">The 28-year-old Burdi was drafted in the first round in 2016 by the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, six picks ahead of one of his catchers at Louisville for three years, Will Smith. In parts of three seasons in the majors, Burdi has appeared in 18 games for the White Sox, Orioles, and Rays, all in relief. He’s allowed 24 runs (20 earned) on 30 hits in 21⅓ innings, with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks.</p>
<p id="XWML07">He had Tommy John surgery in 2017, and missed over two months to end 2019 after a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.</p>
<p id="rweegQ">When or if Burdi might be activated by the Dodgers remains to be seen. He does have an option year remaining, having used options in 2020 and 2021, and he’s already been optioned twice this season by the Rays. He was also designated for assignment twice this year by Tampa Bay, but cleared waivers the first time and stayed around. </p>
<p id="8hxEbq">He didn’t clear waivers this time, and now it’s the Dodgers’ turn to figure out how to use him. Burdi was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to start.</p>
<p id="JElkts"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23739170/dodgers-roster-zack-burdi-waivers-raysEric Stephen2023-05-26T10:31:23-07:002023-05-26T10:31:23-07:00Kershaw activated off bereavement list, Tayler Scott optioned
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v St. Louis Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H4C-q5YBDZGRFAg4zQGZfnT6R-Q=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72316262/1492773319.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="VtAt9i">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated Clayton Kershaw off the bereavement list on Friday ahead of the left-hander’s start on Saturday against the Rays at Tropicana Field. On Thursday, the Dodgers optioned reliever Tayler Scott to Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
<p id="G9N2a2">Given that Kershaw isn’t starting until Saturday, I’m a little surprised he was activated on Friday. Under MLB rules, bereavement leave can last a minimum of three days up to a maximum of seven days. Kershaw <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/22/23732835/clayton-kershaw-bereavement-leave-dodgers-roster-tayler-scott">was placed on the bereavement list on Monday</a>, to be with the family following the death of his mother Marianne.</p>
<p id="YyR0az">Given that Dodgers relievers have pitched more innings (49⅓) than the starters (40⅓) over the last 10 games, and on Friday will start Noah Syndergaard, who has averaged 4.58 innings over his last four non-blister-shortened starts, any potential relief help would be welcome. The off day Thursday no doubt alleviated the stress of the bullpen, so that likely factored into things.</p>
<p id="XQiPLQ">Kershaw is coming off two short starts of his own, allowing two runs on four innings on May 16 against the Twins, and giving up four runs in 3⅔ innings last Sunday in St. Louis. He did strike out a third of his batters faced in those two starts, but it marked the first time Kershaw had back-to-back starts without recording an out in the fifth inning since his rookie year in 2008.</p>
<p id="iIws53">On Saturday, he’ll be pitching on five days rest for the seventh time in 11 starts this season.</p>
<p id="sMrGN8">Tyler Glasnow will start for the Rays on Saturday, making his season debut after missing nearly two months with a strained oblique. Kershaw vs. Glasnow is a rematch of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/20/21526096/clayton-kershaw-strikeouts-stress-free-dodgers-world-series-recap-rays">Games 1 and 5</a> of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/25/21533712/clayton-kershaw-dustin-may-victor-gonzalez-dodgers-world-series-rays-game-5">the 2020 World Series</a>,</p>
<p id="y4f7VE">Scott was active for the entire series against the Braves, but did not pitch in any of the three games. The right-hander, who turns 31 next Friday, has a 1.08 ERA in 16 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 20 strikeouts and 10 walks in 16⅔ innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23737682/dodgers-roster-clayton-kershaw-activated-tayler-scottEric Stephen2023-05-26T05:02:00-07:002023-05-26T05:02:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Rays series info
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vESwdtua1A1nxs4sLwCfZK9zp_o=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72315083/1145371843.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="7ZVqTW">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have the second-best record in the National League, and the Rays have the best record in the majors. The two teams meet for the first time since <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/27/21536853/dodgers-world-series-champions">the 2020 World Series</a> with a three-game series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.</p>
<p id="5aJMaY">Tyler Glasnow makes his first start of the season on Saturday for the Rays after missing eight weeks with an oblique strain. He’ll go against Clayton Kershaw, back from the bereavement list, which makes for a rematch of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/20/21526096/clayton-kershaw-strikeouts-stress-free-dodgers-world-series-recap-rays">Games 1 and 5</a> of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/25/21533712/clayton-kershaw-dustin-may-victor-gonzalez-dodgers-world-series-rays-game-5">the 2020 World Series</a>, both won by Kershaw and the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="J2n1k2">Tampa Bay will use left-hander Jalen Beeks as an opener on Friday, then Beeks will be trading places with right-hander Cooper Criswell as the bulk pitcher, <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/1661833054120288256">per Marc Topkin at the Tampa Bay Times</a>.</p>
<p id="l3hiFI">Sunday’s starting pitcher for the Rays is TBD, but it might be Taj Bradley. If Bradley gets the call, it would be a battle of rookies with Gavin Stone, both of whom were rated among the top 60 prospects in the sport before the season.</p>
<p id="aBFwiq">The Dodgers are 10-7 in interleague play against the Rays, including 5-5 at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p id="uGlPgF">Sunday’s game is the earliest start time of the season for the Dodgers (8:35 a.m. in Los Angeles), with <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/1/31/23568580/dodgers-rays-peacock-streaming-sunday-may-28">the series finale exclusively streamed on Peacock</a>. Brian Burke will call play-by-play alongside one analyst from each team — Orel Hershiser and Brian Anderson.</p>
<p id="0SBI8r">James Outman will be mic’d up during the Peacock broadcast.</p>
<h3 id="4BTI2l">Dodgers vs. Rays schedule</h3>
<p id="GmCMSk"><strong>Friday, 3:40 p.m. PT</strong><br>Noah Syndergaard vs. Jalen Beeks (opener)<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="t1Si2d"><strong>Saturday, 1:10 p.m.</strong><br>Clayton Kershaw vs. Tyler Glasnow<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="PI8Rz8"><strong>Sunday, 8:35 a.m.</strong><br>Gavin Stone vs. TBA<br><em>Peacock</em></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/26/23735512/dodgers-schedule-rays-game-times-tv-pitchingEric Stephen