Ian Seymour was terrific for the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game series against the host Cleveland Guardians, pitching five scoreless innings in winning his initial start on Monday.
Fellow rookie Parker Messick of the Guardians was even more impressive in the second game, throwing seven scoreless frames for his first career victory on Tuesday.
Will the series finale feature another dominant performance on the mound? Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.62 ERA) will oppose Cleveland's Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.41) on Wednesday afternoon in a battle of right-handers.
They have a tough act to follow after Seymour, 26, and Messick, 24, effectively pushed the pace, rendering the pitch clock moot while forcing opposing hitters to stay alert.
"It's huge because it puts everyone on their toes for every pitch," Guardians catcher Bo Naylor said. "It also puts pressure on the offense to kind of try to match that pace or to find ways to slow them down.
"That's very hard to do when a pitcher is doing the things they're capable of at their best."
Rays manager Kevin Cash also praised both left-handers for their efficient work, noting that the similarities extend to their primary pitches. Seymour and Messick are each 6 feet tall and are mature beyond their years in mixing fastballs and changeups.
"They do have a lot in common," Rays catcher Nick Fortes said. "Messick has got a really good changeup, and his fastball has some life in it, too.
"Being able to get the fastball in good spots and selling the changeup is a really good combination for a starter."
Rasmussen hasn't lost since June 19 against the Baltimore Orioles, going 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA in 10 subsequent starts. The first-time All-Star has pitched against Cleveland four times (two starts) in his career without a decision, posting a 6.75 ERA over 6 2/3 innings.
Tampa Bay first baseman Yandy Diaz is riding a nine-game road hitting streak, batting .410 (16-for-39) with one homer and six RBIs. Rays shortstop Carson Williams, promoted from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 21, has at least one hit in his first four games in the majors.
On the flip side, the Guardians' entire offense continues to fizzle. Cleveland scored three first-inning runs on Tuesday to snap a 28-inning scoreless streak, getting hits from on singles by Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio off Tampa Bay starter, then didn't have a hit the rest of the game.
"It was just a flat inning," Baz said. "There were just a couple ground balls that got through. I've just got to be better staying ahead of hitters."
Cecconi, who will face the Rays for the first time, is on a six-start winless streak since beating the Athletics on July 18. He is 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA during the skid, averaging 5.4 innings per appearance.
Cleveland has lost nine of its past 11 games and is on the verge of saying goodbye to one of its clubhouse leaders. According to mulriple media reports on Tuesday, first baseman Carlos Santana was placed on outright waivers and could be claimed by any team over the next 48 hours.
Santana, 39, is hitting .225 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs in his third stint with the franchise. The Guardians made the move well in advance of the Aug. 31 postseason eligibility deadline in order to give him the opportunity to play for a contender.
"Santana is still here," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said, declining to comment further on the slugger's status.
--Field Level Media
