Phillies hot as World Series rematch against Astros looms
The Philadelphia Phillies are finally getting hot as they head to Houston for a World Series rematch with the AstrosAPRIL 27, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jose Siri - Not in lineup ThursdaySiri is out of the lineup Thursday night against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
ImpactRandy Arozarena, Josh Lowe and Luke Raley will start across the outfield as the Rays take on the White Sox and ace right-hander Dylan Cease. Siri is 0-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts since returning Tuesday from a right hamstring strain.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Harold Ramírez - Sitting versus rightyRamirez is not in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
ImpactIt's a lineup that is heavy on left-handed and switch-hitters for this matchup against ace right-hander Dylan Cease. Brandon Lowe will DH and Taylor Walls is at second base. Ramirez is sitting on a terrific .354/.417/.677 slash line through 72 plate appearances on the year.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Josh Fleming - Sharp as bulk relieverFleming didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Astros, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings of relief. He struck out two.
ImpactThe left-hander entered the game in the third inning, taking over from opener Calvin Faucher, and while Fleming did an outstanding job stifling the Houston offense, Tampa Bay's bats were just as silent. He tossed 69 pitches (43 strikes) in his best performance of the season, and Fleming should continue to plug a hole in the Rays' rotation -- either as a bulk reliever behind an opener, or as a traditional starter -- until Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is ready to return. Fleming's still looking for his first win of 2023, but it should come quickly if he continues to pitch well, and he has a 3.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 19.1 innings.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Calvin Faucher - Stuck with loss as openerFaucher (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over two innings as the Rays fell 1-0 to the Astros. He struck out one.
ImpactHouston plated a run in the top of the first inning thanks in part to a wild pitch and an error, and that proves to be the game's only bit of offense, saddling Faucher with the loss. The right-hander gave way to Josh Fleming after 43 pitches (23 strikes), and there's no guarantee Faucher continues to see regular work as an opener ahead of the southpaw given his struggles. Through 12.2 innings this season, he has a 5.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB, and he's been scored upon in six straight appearances.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Ryan Pressly - Nails down second savePressly worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Rays. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
ImpactThe right-hander fired eight of 10 pitches for strikes and showed no signs of injury or fatigue as he pitched on the second straight day for only the second time in 2023. The Astros have taken it easy on Pressly to begin the season and Bryan Abreu had collected the Astros' last two saves, but as long as he's healthy, Pressly should be the team's primary option in the ninth. The 34-year-old has a 4.35 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB through 10.1 innings.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Hunter Brown - Blanks Rays for third winBrown (3-0) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Rays. He struck out eight.
ImpactIt was a dazzling performance from the young right-hander, as Brown produced 32 called or swinging strikes among his 95 pitches in his best start yet in the majors. The 24-year-old rookie sports a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through 30.1 innings, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, likely to come at home early next week against the Giants.
APRIL 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
