Jack Kochanowicz (2-3, 4.99) gets the ball for the Halos in the getaway-day finale, first pitch 12:40 PM ET. Across the diamond is Shane McClanahan (5-2, 2.52), who hasn't allowed an earned run in his last outing and is the obvious lever the Rays are pulling to stop the bleeding.
Because there is bleeding. Tampa came into this Angels series after getting swept by the Orioles, salvaged Friday in extras-feeling fashion 8-5, and then watched Wade Meckler swing the first grand slam of his career as part of a 14-3 Saturday demolition. That's 4 losses in 5 for a team that still owns the best record in the AL, which is the weird tension of this game: the Rays are 35-20 and look like the AL East favorite, but right now they don't look like it.
The Angels, meanwhile, are 23-36 and absolutely not supposed to be the team carrying momentum into a series finale at the Trop. But here we are. They've won 3 of their last 5 and just hung a touchdown plus an extra point on a McClanahan-less Rays staff. The catch: Zach Neto left Saturday's win with whiplash and is day-to-day, and the lineup is already missing Nolan Schanuel, Travis d'Arnaud, and Yoan Moncada. The depth is being stretched and stretched again.
- Day-To-DayZach Neto SS — Neto was removed from Saturday's 14-3 win against the Rays due to whiplash, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
- 10-Day-ILNolan Schanuel 1B — An MRI on Schanuel's left ankle revealed tendinitis, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILYoan Moncada 3B — Moncada isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILTravis d'Arnaud C — D'Arnaud (foot) told reporters Saturday that he does not have a timetable for his return from the 10-day injured list, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILBen Joyce RP — Manager Kurt Suzuki said Tuesday that Joyce (shoulder) has resumed his throwing program in Arizona, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILYusei Kikuchi SP — Kikuchi (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's slated to begin a throwing program soon and expressed hope that he'll be able to return to the Angels early in the second half of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILRobert Stephenson RP — The Angels announced that Stephenson underwent ligament and flexor repair surgery on his right elbow Wednesday and is likely to miss the remainder of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILAnthony Rendon 3B — The Angels placed Rendon (hip) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
- Day-To-DayGriffin Jax RP — Jax was diagnosed with a back contusion following his removal from Tuesday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
- Day-To-DayAustin Vernon RP — The Rays have shut Vernon down from throwing due to right elbow soreness, per MLB.com.
- Day-To-DayKeyshawn Askew RP — no
- Day-To-DayTre' Morgan 1B — Triple-A Durham placed Morgan on the 7-day injured list with a quad injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.
- Day-To-DayAlfredo Zarraga RP — no
- 10-Day-ILJonny DeLuca RF — DeLuca is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks after an MRI revealed a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
- 10-Day-ILJake Fraley RF — Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Fraley (hernia) will require surgery and will face a recovery timeline of 6-to-8 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
- 15-Day-ILJesse Scholtens RP — Scholtens was charged with a blown save and dropped to 5-3 on the season in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles in 13 innings after yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits across 1.1 frames. He struck out one batter.
Tampa's injury list is uglier. The bullpen has been gutted — Manuel Rodriguez, Steven Wilson, Edwin Uceta, and Michael Grove are all on the 60-day, Griffin Jax is dealing with a back contusion, and Jesse Scholtens is on the 15-day after that 13-inning meltdown in Baltimore. The outfield is light too with Jonny DeLuca (hamstring, 6-to-8 weeks) and Jake Fraley (hernia surgery) both shelved. Cash has been working with duct tape and Craig Kimbrel.
The market still respects the arm: Tampa is -163 on DraftKings with the total at 7.5, which feels about right given who's pitching. The real read is whether McClanahan can go deep enough to keep the patchwork bullpen out of high-leverage spots. If he gives them 6, the Rays probably take this back. If Kochanowicz hangs around and the Angels get to the middle innings, Saturday could rhyme.