Rays vs Braves Preview: Can Tampa Bay Sweep? Caminero's Power Surge | Beatline Rays

Now let's get to the game.

Let's start with the big picture.

We talked yesterday about Griffin Jacks' spot start, which was fantastic.

He gave up only two hits and one run in five innings.

Tonight, we need to know who is on the mound for Atlanta and if Tampa Bay has the edge in the rotation battle.

Well, Danielle, it's interesting because the Braves are dealing with a significant injury situation in their own starting rotation.

Spencer Strider is out for the year on the 60-day IL.

That changes everything for how they manage their remaining games.

Right, so they are relying heavily on their secondary options.

For the Rays, we saw Steven Matz and Drew Rasmussen earlier in the week.

How do you view the Rays' current depth compared to what Atlanta is throwing at us?

The Rays have managed their bullpen and starter usage incredibly well.

Freddy Peralta is still in the mix, and Nick Martinez has been solid.

The key here is that the Rays don't have the same level of desperation regarding their ace availability that Atlanta might feel without Strider.

But wait, didn't we see some concerns about the Rays' bullpen usage after those back-to-back wins? Robert Suarez and Joe Jimenez are both on the 60-day aisle, which means the middle relief options are stretched thin.

Exactly.

That's why Griffin Jacks' success is so vital.

He stepped up as a spot starter, and if he can go deep again tonight, it allows the rest of the bullpen to rest.

Brian Baker and Cam Busser will likely be the primary setup men if needed.

So, the strategy is clear.

Win early, win often, and protect the arms.

We predicted last night that the Rays would win 4-2 in the previous game, and they did.

What does that momentum tell us about tonight's pitching matchup?

Momentum is huge in baseball.

When your starters are going deep into games, it reduces stress on the bullpen.