The Tampa Bay Rays (25-18) continue their road trip today, sending right-hand Wade Davis to the mound, looking to improve upon his last start. Davis (4-3, 3.47 ERA, 4.50 FIP) only lasted 5.1 innings last Saturday against the Orioles, while getting tagged for 4 runs. Advanced statistics suggest Davis's new approach -- throwing softer to exchange strikeouts for control -- has him playing a dangerous game, surviving thus far on blind luck.
Hopefully, Davis will find a few more strikeouts tonight because he appears to have been fortunate on the deep ball, allowing only 5% of fly balls to go for homers, whereas most pitchers stay around 10%. For the Rays third starter to be successful, he needs to make sure the bases are clear when the home runs come back.
Opposing the Rays will be Toronto Blue (21-21) Jays lefty Ricky Romero. Somewhat playing the role of the inverse Davis, Romero (3-4, 3.35 ERA, 3.56 FIP) has allowed around 13% of fly balls to go back, back, back. Despite that, he has manage a solid ERA and kept his team in games. The Rays offense faces a huge challenge tonight, facing on the league's better left handers.
Game time: 7:05 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre (Tickets)
Television: Sun Sports HD
Radio: WDAE 620, WGES 680