After a series-opening 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays return to action on Friday against Cleveland for the second contest of a four-game set. 

The Rays’ Thursday night victory marked their seventh in a row, their longest winning streak since June 3-9, 2023. Everything is clicking for Tampa Bay right now as it continues to claw its way back into the postseason picture. 

On Friday, the Rays will mix things up, starting with Griffin Jax as an opener before leaning on rookie southpaw Ian Seymour. The goal is simple, challenge the Guardians with two very different arms. 

“Just provide the contrast,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Friday. “Just provide the contrast to the Cleveland lineup.” 

“Ian has been on a good run; Jax has started before, it was a couple of years ago, but not too much untouched territory. We’ll see how it goes and see if we can mix and match the rest of the way.” 

Jax made 14 starts during his rookie season with the Minnesota Twins in 2021, but has not started since. After coming to Tampa Bay in a July 31 trade deadline deal, Jax has appeared in 14 games while compiling an 0-2 record and a 7.20 ERA. 

Tampa Bay set the trend of utilizing an opener in the 2018 season, but it is the first time the Rays will utilize an opener since Drew Rasmussen started ahead of bulk reliever Tyler Alexander in a 6-1 loss on Sept. 14, 2024, at Cleveland.

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While pitching coach Kyle Snyder says using Jax in the role will provide a softer landing, Cash disagrees. 

“No,” Cash said vehemently. “Beat Cleveland.” 

“Let’s see what we can do to maximize our matchups to make the most of winning this game tonight.” 

Seymour finished August in elite fashion. In his first MLB start, Seymour faced the Guardians on the road, dominating the lineup with eight strikeouts through five innings of shutout work while allowing just one walk and one hit on Aug. 25. 

Subsequently, his second start also resulted in a winning decision. The 26-year-old produced another eight-strikeout game against the Washington Nationals while only allowing four hits, one earned run and a walk. 

In his first two outings as a member of the Rays rotation, Seymour is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA, 16 strikeouts and two walks.

Tampa Bay’s hitters will face Guardians right hander Gavin Williams. In three career appearances, Williams is 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 17 strikeouts against the Rays. Six hitters on Tampa Bay’s current roster have faced Williams, producing a .286 average with two RBIs and one home run. 

How to watch Rays-Guardians  

Who: Cleveland Guardians (69-70) vs Tampa Bay Rays (71-69)  

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:35 p.m. ET.  

Where: Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.   

TV: FanDuel Sports Sun  

Radio: WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM, WQBN 106.7/1300 AM (Spanish)  

Here are the starting lineups for both teams: 

Rays Batting Order 

1. Richie Palacios LF 

2. Yandy Diaz DH 

3. Brandon Lowe 2B 

4. Junior Caminero 3B 

5. Josh Lowe RF 

6. Jake Mangum CF 

7. Hunter Feduccia C  

8. Carson Williams SS 

9. Bob Seymour 1B 

Guardians Batting Order 

1. Steven Kwan LF 

2. Angel Martinez CF 

3. Jose Ramirez 3B 

4. David Fry DH 

5. Nolan Jones RF 

6. Gabriel Arias SS 

7. Jhonkensy Noel 1B 

8. Brayan Rocchio 2B 

9. Austin Hedges C 

Rays Newsy Nuggets 

GOING STREAKING: The Rays have won seven straight games for the first time since 2023. To open the 2023 season, they administered a 13-game winning streak (March 30- April 13) which tied MLB’s modern-era record (1900-present) to open a season, matching the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers and 1982 Atlanta Braves. 

BRINGING THE BATS: The Rays have scored four runs or more in all seven games of their winning streak, their longest streak since May 11-18 (8 games). Tampa Bay is 61-18 when scoring four runs or more, fifth best in the American League and seventh best in the majors. 

SPEEDY SIMPSON: Chandler Simpson’s 39 stolen bases are the second most in the majors, trailing only former teammate Jose Caballero (42 stolen bases). He is one stolen base shy of becoming the fifth Ray to record a 40-steal season, joining Carl Crawford (seven times), B.J. Upton (three times), Caballero (2024) and Mallex Smith (2018).