Tampa Bay Rays (8-8) vs Detroit Tigers (8-6)
Rays Pregame:
With RHP Jake Odorizzi on the 10-day DL, Kevin Cash turns to Erasmo Ramirez to get a spot start Thursday. The Rays are staring a sweep of the first place Tigers in the face after a dramatic walk-off win Wednesday night. Cash praises the versatility the Rays have had with Ramirez, especially early in 2016.
“His versatility is probably one of his biggest assets,” Cash said. “We’re fortunate to have him, to be able to plug in a guy who has proven he can go out there and give you a chance to win as a starter.”
Ramirez started one game in 2016, an April 16 Rays win over the White Sox at Tropicana Field. He went 5.2 innings in that game and threw just 66 pitches. Thursday, Cash said they’ll watch Erasmo closely, but 75 pitches should be his limit.
So far in 2017, Erasmo has pitched in five games. He’s gone 9.2 innings with a 3.72 ERA while walking just one and striking out five.
#Rays lineup today for matinee finale v #Tigers…looking for a sweep! #RaysUppic.twitter.com/Iz5ZnOdvdJ
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) April 20, 2017
COMFY AT THE TROP!
The Rays have now won seven of their first nine home games. Only one other time in Rays history have they done that – 2012 where they went 8-1 and actually started the season 13-1 at Tropicana Field.
Tigers Pregame:
Detroit tries to avoid the sweep, sending LHP Daniel Norris to the hill. He’ll be facing the Rays for the first time since 2015 while with the Blue Jays. Norris is coming off a dazzling performance against the AL Champion, Cleveland Indians. He pitched a scoreless six innings allowing just two hits and striking out five.
.@DanielNorris18 takes the hill for the series finale vs. the Rays at 1:10 ET.
Preview ➡️ https://t.co/To5ECtDSgp pic.twitter.com/hwQOol3V8T
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 20, 2017
The Tigers bullpen has a MLB-worst 6.75 ERA after the blown lead and loss in last night’s game. They’ll be looking to get some innings out of Norris.
First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 1:10 PM EST.
