The Tampa Bay Rays own the majors’ best record at home but have struggled against the Kansas City Royals there lately.
However, the Rays are perfect in St. Petersburg, Fla., this season in starts by left-hander Shane McClanahan, who will look to help them even a four-game set against the Royals on Tuesday night.
With a 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Monday, the Rays are still a solid 26-11 at home. However, they’ve lost four straight there to the Royals, who are amid an 8-3 stretch when facing Tampa Bay on the road.
The Rays also have dropped seven of their last 10 games overall. And they’re 1-6 in one-run games during that stretch.
“In the course of 162 games, there’s going to ebbs and some flows,” said Tampa Bay pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who allowed two runs over six innings Monday.
“I wouldn’t chalk it up to anything more than that at this point.”
McClanahan (6-4, 3.33 ERA) has completed just 7 2/3 total innings in his last two starts. On Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he lasted a season-low 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs, three hits and a season-high five walks on 83 pitches.
Tampa Bay, which dropped that game 5-4, has lost McClanahan’s last three starts– all on the road, where he’s 1-4 with a 4.38 ERA in eight starts. However, the Rays have won all six 2026 home starts made by McClanahan, who is 5-0 with a 2.05 ERA in those outings.
All three of McClanahan’s starts against the Royals have come at home, and he’s 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA in those contests. He has not faced Kansas City since 2023, however.
The Royals have won four of their last five games to build momentum. Carter Jensen recorded a run-scoring single in the fifth inning Monday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he’s batting .365 with 12 RBIs.
Star teammate Bobby Witt Jr. missed his third straight game Monday with a Grade 1 MCL sprain, but Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said he hopes Witt is available at some point during this series.
The Royals’ scheduled Tuesday starter, Luinder Avila (2-3, 5.50 ERA), yielded a run and three hits while striking out five batters over 5 2/3 innings of his team’s 6-2 victory at Washington on Wednesday.
It was a needed performance by the right-hander, who was tagged for eight runs on five hits and three walks in just two-thirds of an inning against Houston in his prior start.
“He’s a powerful and strong individual,” pitching coach Brian Sweeney told the Royals’ official website. “Being consistent on those 17 inches of the plate, and letting the movement work in the zone, is key.”
Avila was used almost exclusively as a reliever in April and May. He has allowed no more than one run in three of his four June starts.
“He knows he can do it down there in the bullpen,” Sweeney added. “And he’s learning what it takes at the major league level as a starter. It’s going to enhance his development.”
Avila will get his first look at the Rays and Yandy Diaz, who is batting .408 with 23 RBIs during a 20-game home on-base streak.
–Field Level Media
