Rangers at Rays
Mallex Smith is taking full advantage of his chance for more playing time in the first month of the season, and the speedy outfielder looks to remain hot when his Tampa Bay Rays host the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Smith registered his second four-hit performance in eight days in Monday’s series-opening 8-4 victory to raise his average to .409, including a 15-of-28 spurt over his last seven contests.
Smith played center field on Monday in place of former Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier, who will miss up to three months due to right thumb surgery after being injured in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia. Former Rays left-hander Matt Moore will try to cool off Smith when he takes the mound for the Rangers on Tuesday against impressive rookie Yonny Chirinos, who has yet to give up a run in three appearances (two starts). Texas, which was coming in off two straight wins against defending World Series champion Houston, gave up eight runs in the first four innings of Monday's contest. Nomar Mazara hit a late three-run homer for the Rangers in the series opener and is 9-for-26 over his last seven games while Joey Gallo belted his team-leading sixth shot in the setback.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (0-3, 8.76 ERA) vs. Rays RH Yonny Chirinos (0-0, 0.00)
Moore is coming off the best of his three starts this season as he allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Floridian, who won 39 games for Tampa Bay between 2011-16, did not get more than 12 outs in either of his first two turns as he yielded 10 runs - nine earned - in 7 1/3 total frames. Denard Span is 2-for-6 against Moore, who will face his former team for the first time since he was traded to San Francisco.
Chirinos has been one for the bright spots in a disappointing start for the Rays, allowing eight hits and two walks over 14 1/3 scoreless innings in his first three major-league games. The 24-year-old Venezuelan limited the Chicago White Sox to four hits and recorded a season-high five strikeouts over 5 1/3 frames on Wednesday. Chirinos, who went 12-5 at Triple-A Durham last year, has not received much offensive support as Tampa Bay scored a total of four runs in his three appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay 1B-DH C.J. Cron homered Monday and is 8-for-24 during his six-game hitting streak.
2. Texas SS Jurickson Profar went through concussion protocol following a collision with Smith at second base and will be evaluated Tuesday.
3. Rays 3B Matt Duffy left Monday’s game with right hamstring tightness and is considered day-to-day.