The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached the final leg of their road trip as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field for a three-game set in what’s their first meeting since the 2020 World Series.
The Dodgers are coming off of a series win against the Atlanta Braves, which say them fall just short of a sweep. With that, the Dodgers remain 1.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West.
Meanwhile, the Rays enter the weekend with the best record in baseball at 37-15. They opened the year by tying the MLB record for consecutive wins to start a season with 13, but have gone just 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Nevertheless, the Rays’ +114 run differential is the best in the Majors. Tampa Bay additionally is tied with the Texas Rangers for the most runs scored (110), and are first in home runs hit (97) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.843).
But perhaps of greater importance for the Dodgers and Noah Syndergaard, the Rays also lead the Majors with 62 stolen bases.
Syndergaard enters 1-3 with a 5.88 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in nine starts this season. He’s allowed 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts over 41.1 innings pitched, and at least one in each outing.
The Rays counter with Jalen Beeks, who is 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 18 games (five starts). The lefty is serving as an opener and has completed more than two innings in just one start this year.
Beeks is unique in that he throws his changeup most often, at 46% of the time. He also throws a four-seam fastball (40%) and mixes in a cutter and slider. Beeks’ changeup is thrown hard (average of 89.8 mph) and relies on movement.
If the Rays have a weakness, it’s in their bullpen. That could bode well for the Dodgers and their strength of working long at-bats.
The Dodgers lineup has been led by Freddie Freeman and his 14-game hitting streak. Freeman is 1-for-3 against Beeks in his career. Mookie Betts has caught fire, slashing .321/.424/.679 over his last seven games, and J.D. Martinez has hit safely in nine straight.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
LF: David Peralta
Rays lineup
1B: Yandy Díaz
SS: Wander Franco
2B: Brandon Lowe
LF: Randy Arozarena
DH: Josh Lowe
3B: Taylor Walls
C: Christian Bethancourt
RF: Luke Raley
CF: Jose Siri
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
