Ian Seymour (4-1, 4.32 ERA) takes the ball for Tampa Bay against a Royals lineup he already dismantled just 8 days ago — he threw 6.2 hitless innings in a June 25 win over Kansas City, and since settling into a bulk-relief role he's posted a 2.84 ERA across his last 4 appearances. Stephen Kolek (4-2, 4.15 ERA) counters for the Royals, returning from a personal leave and stepping back in off a June 21 catastrophe against the Cardinals: 1.2 innings, 9 hits, 9 earned runs, 49 pitches before he was pulled.
That gap in preparation matters because Kansas City doesn't have the depth to absorb a short outing. Cole Ragans just had elbow surgery. Kris Bubic is stuck in another IL spiral and was scratched from his latest rehab start for further evaluation. Connor Seabold landed on the 15-day IL this week with a lat strain. The Royals' bullpen is sitting on a 6.18 ERA — one of the worst marks in baseball — and there's no real cavalry to call.
The bigger story is Caminero. He hit his 7th homer in 6 games on July 1, becoming the youngest player in MLB history to go deep in 6 straight games at 22 years, 361 days old — edging Ken Griffey Jr., who was 23 years, 246 days when he set the mark. Tampa Bay has outscored Kansas City 14-4 in the first 2 games of this series. The Rays entered this road trip already on a win streak and have done nothing but extend it, and Caminero — who has committed to the All-Star Home Run Derby — is giving this lineup a tone-setter who can flip a game in one at-bat.
- Day-To-DayAustin Vernon RP — Triple-A Durham placed Vernon (elbow) on its full-season injured list Friday.
- Day-To-DayTre' Morgan 1B — no
- Day-To-DayLogan Davidson 1B — Davidson signed a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
- Day-To-DayAlfredo Zarraga RP — no
- 10-Day-ILJake Fraley RF — Fraley (hernia) began a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Saturday, going 0-for-3 as the designated hitter.
- developmental listLuis Guerrero RP — The Rays acquired Guerrero from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Tristan Gray.
- 15-Day-ILSteven Matz SP — The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left ankle sprain.
- 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.
- Day-To-DayJavier Vaz 2B — Vaz (fingers) has produced a .238/.304/.262 slash line with zero home runs and three stolen bases in 10 games since being activated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list April 22.
- Day-To-DayTyson Guerrero RP — no
- 10-Day-ILKyle Isbel CF — Isbel (foot) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILVinnie Pasquantino 1B — Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILMaikel Garcia 3B — The Royals placed Garcia on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left hand muscle strain.
- BereavementStephen Kolek SP — Kolek (personal) is expected to make his next scheduled start Thursday against Tampa Bay, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILConnor Seabold RP — The Royals placed Seabold on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right lat strain.
- 15-Day-ILNick Mears RP — Mears (shoulder) threw a bullpen Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Kansas City is 35-52 and missing Vinnie Pasquantino (hand), Kyle Isbel (foot), and Maikel Garcia (hand) — 3 regulars who won't be available tonight. The Royals' offense was already near the bottom of the league before any of that. Their most memorable game of the last week was a 22-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 26 — the worst defeat in franchise history by run differential. Against a Rays club riding 7 straight wins, with Seymour fresh off shutting this lineup down hitless, the Royals need Kolek to give them length and give them a chance. First pitch at 6:40 PM CT.