If the Rays are to build a little momentum coming out of the all-star break, they will have to do so on the road. Play resumes Friday night (8:10) in Kansas City, where they open a three-game series.
They head down to Arlington for a three-game series with the Rangers beginning Monday evening.
The Rays return to Tropicana Field next Thursday to begin a four-game series with the Orioles, who are two games behind Tampa Bay in the American League East and are even in the loss column.
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A win over the visiting Braves last Sunday snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Rays. The win also halted a five-game skid at the Trop, the team’s longest since 2018.
The break allowed the Rays (58-35) to catch their breath and refresh a bit before the final 69 games of the season. There was no such luxury for Yandy Diaz, however.
Voted by fans as the starting first baseman for the American League in Tuesday’s all-star game in Seattle, the 31-year-old homered in his first of two at-bats. Following the game, he took an overnight flight to St. Pete to be with wife, Mayisleidis, who gave birth to the couple’s first child Wednesday.
Diaz, who is on the paternity list and will rejoin the team Saturday or Sunday, was one of four Rays at the all-star game. Randy Arozarena, the AL’s starting left fielder and home run derby finalist, singled and struck out and Wander Franco flew out to deep right field in his only at-bat.
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Shane McClanahan, last year’s AL starting pitcher, is on the injured list. Back tightness resulted in a 15-day IL stint and he is scheduled to be activated Sunday and start against the Royals. The lefty last pitched June 30 at Seattle.
Tyler Glasnow will take the mound for the Rays on Friday night and Zach Eflin on Saturday evening.
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