Advertisement

Roger Mooney's takeaways from Friday's Rays-Red Sox game

 
Published Sept. 16, 2017

Manager Kevin Cash wasn't kidding when he said he would be more aggressive using his bullpen, and why not? With the expanded roster, the Rays have plenty of fresh arms, and the pen has been a strength — a majors-best 2.39 ERA and .196 opponents average since August heading into Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Remember the anger and angst when the Rays traded for RHP Sergio Romo in late July? Well, Romo (6.12 ERA with Dodgers) has settled down after joining the Rays. Eleven of his past 12 outings have been scoreless, and his ERA with Tampa Bay is 1.73 after pitching an inning Friday and getting the Rays out of a two-on, one-out jam in the fifth.

LHP Dan Jennings seems to have settled down, as well. After joining the Rays at the trade deadline, he allowed five runs in his first 2⅔ innings. Since then he has allowed two in 11⅓ innings for a 1.59 ERA over his past 17 appearances.