With just nine games left in their quest to claim the top spot in the American League East, the Tampa Bay Rays will rely on their ace, Zach Eflin, in a pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Florida. Eflin, sporting a 15-8 record and a 3.44 ERA, is expected to make one of his final regular-season starts before likely taking the mound for Game 1 in the postseason.
Tampa Bay’s pursuit of first place in the AL East has been a challenging one, mirroring the futile efforts of the fictional character Wile E. Coyote in capturing his speedy prey, the Road Runner. The Rays, with a record of 93-60, currently trail the division-leading Baltimore Orioles (95-57) by 2.5 games. Despite a strong pitching performance that saw their staff rack up 19 strikeouts against the Angels in their previous game, the Rays missed a chance to narrow the gap further when they fell to Los Angeles 8-3.
Manager Kevin Cash’s squad has faced adversity in its pitching staff this season, with key starters like Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, and Drew Rasmussen lost to injuries. Tyler Glasnow, another vital piece of the rotation, missed the first two months of the season due to an oblique injury. In the midst of these challenges, Eflin has emerged as the Rays’ most dependable and durable starting pitcher. In 29 starts, he has set career highs in wins (a league-leading 15), innings (167 2/3), strikeouts (172), hits per nine innings (7.9), and walks per nine innings (1.2). Eflin also leads all starting pitchers in the majors with a WHIP of 1.014.
Eflin has a stellar track record against the Angels, boasting a 2-0 record with a remarkable 0.64 ERA in two career starts. Over 14 innings against Los Angeles, he has limited hitters to just nine hits in 51 at-bats (.177) and allowed only one run, which came via a solo home run by Hunter Renfroe on August 19 in Anaheim. Eflin secured the win in that game with a solid six-inning performance.
The Angels (69-83) will look to bounce back after breaking their six-game losing streak. Brandon Drury was the offensive star, delivering two key home runs in a five-RBI performance. The designated hitter commented on his performance, saying, “My offense has been streaky. I’d been struggling a little bit, so tonight felt good. (The DH spot) is fine. I just want to get at-bats.”
In the series finale on Thursday, Los Angeles aims to even the season series at 3-3, preventing the Rays from clinching their seventh consecutive winning campaign against the Angels.
Taking the mound for the Angels is Griffin Canning (7-7, 4.42 ERA), who will make his 21st start and 23rd appearance of the 2023 season. Canning has experienced a challenging September, posting an 0-3 record with a 4.67 ERA in three starts. In his three career appearances (two starts) against the Rays, he holds a 1-1 record with a 4.40 ERA. Canning earned a victory in relief against Tampa Bay on August 19, tossing 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball.
