Reds, Rays specializing in rubber recreation, not commerce hypothesis

Trade winds continue to swirl around the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, who conclude a three-game interleague series on Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

With both teams struggling to stay in playoff contention, it appears both will be sellers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Tampa Bay evened the series with a 4-0 victory on Saturday behind back-to-back homers from Alex Jackson and Yandy Diaz and a strong outing from Zack Littell, who tossed seven scoreless innings.

Rays manager Kevin Cash has remained patient with Jackson, who came into the game hitting .101 before leading off the fifth inning with his third homer of the season.

The 28-year-old Jackson is 6-for-21 (.286) with two home runs and seven RBIs over his last seven games.

Tampa Bay, which enters Sunday four games back of the final AL wild-card spot, has acquired a number of prospects in separate deals this week involving left fielder Randy Arozarena and starting pitcher Zach Eflin.

On Thursday, the team traded Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, and a day later sent Eflin to the Baltimore Orioles.

“We’re going to keep doing our best to win games this year,” Rays baseball operations president Erik Neander said. “It will be harder without (Arozarena and Eflin). But our outlook for the next three-five-seven years is considerably stronger with what we brought in.”

Cincinnati had its three-game win streak snapped on Saturday and could be sellers after falling five games behind the final National League wild-card spot entering Sunday.

Second baseman Jonathan India, one of several Cincinnati players who could be on the move, said he’s prepared for whatever happens.

“Of course, I would love to stay here,” India said. “This is my home team. But, hey, it’s all a business. And they’ve got to make a business move at the end of the day. For my career, you never know. Could be better for me. Could be worse.”

All-Star right-hander Hunter Greene (7-4, 3.14 ERA) will take the mound for the Reds. He has allowed one run across 20 innings in three starts this month.

Greene, 24, allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 road victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday. He threw 112 pitches to help the Reds snap a four-game skid.

“Hunter stepped up,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said. “Just absolutely wanted to be out there and did everything you could ask for.”

Greene has allowed one run across nine innings in two career starts against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay is expected to turn to left-hander Tyler Alexander (3-3, 5.88) as a bulk reliever following opener Shawn Armstrong. Alexander was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and tossed three scoreless innings in relief, earning the win in a 4-2 victory over the host Toronto Blue Jays.

“Hats off to Tyler,” Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “It’s never easy to hop on a plane and join a team.”

The 30-year-old Alexander began the season with Tampa Bay but was optioned to Triple-A Durham after posting a 6.19 ERA in 56 2/3 innings.

Alexander owns a 2.00 ERA across nine innings in three career appearances (one start) against Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media