Jonathan

Aranda

The Rays haven’t said anything about Aranda, but something must be up for him to be sitting out for the third time in five games and this time against a righty. But we’re guessing that whatever it is, he’d be playing through it if the Rays hadn’t clinched the AL East. They have Ryan Vilade starting at first base for a third straight game tonight.

While Aranda does stay in the lineup against most left-handers, he’ll get a breather in this one with Patrick Sandoval toeing the slab for the Red Sox. Expect him to make an appearance off the bench in a key late game spot if the right situation arises. Ryan Vilade will start in his place at first base and will bat second for the Rays on Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay.

Aranda continues to end the season with a strong month, hitting his fifth homer in September with a solo blast off Brayan Bello in the fourth inning. The 28-year-old slugger is up to 22 homers and 92 RBI while slashing .277/.360/.440 across 648 plate appearances.

Aranda had a big day at the plate, starting with a walk in the third. He then took Enyel De Los Santos deep for a solo homer in the fourth to extend the Tampa Bay lead. He went yard again in the seventh for a two-run blast to cap off the Rays’ blowout win. The 28-year-old first baseman is hitting .278/.362/.438 with 21 homers and 89 RBI across 630 plate appearances.

He’ll get a rare rest against Braves LHP Martin Pérez. Aranda has played 141 of Tampa’s 145 games this year and has been hot of late; it’s certainly possible he pinch-hits. He’s hitting .277/.360/.427 in a disappointing year for his power but has been a reasonable 1B option in deep or OBP-leaning leagues.

Aranda went hitless in his first three at-bats before knocking a base hit and scoring a run in the eighth. He then came through in a big spot for the Rays, taking Jacob Latz deep for a three-run blast in the tenth inning to take the lead. It was Aranda’s fifth home run in the second half, four of them coming in his last 11 games. The 28-year-old first baseman is up to 19 with 85 RBI while hitting .278/.361/.429 across 601 plate appearances.

The Rays big three at the top of their order had their way in this game. Aranda, Yandy Díaz, and Junior Caminero combined to go 7-for-14 with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, and four runs scored. The home run belonged to Aranda, which gave him 18 on the year along with 82 RBI – seventh-most in the American League.

Aranda took Walker Buehler deep for a solo homer in the third inning. He’s slowed down a bit in the power department after slugging 14 homers in the first half. Saturday’s blast was just his third since the All-Star break. The 28-year-old first baseman is up to 17 with 63 runs scored and 79 RBI while hitting .279/.362/.424 across 574 plate appearances.

Aranda’s home run was his 16th of the year. He hit a solo shot off Framber Valdez in the sixth inning. Aranda’s home run was his first since August 7 against the Mariners, a span of 15 games where he hit .230 with no power. He’s hitting .280 with a .783 OPS and 78 RBI on the season.

Aranda will get a rare breather in this one with left-hander Trevor Rogers toeing the slab for the Orioles. Liam Hicks will start in his place at first base and will bat eighth for the Rays while Kenny Piper does the catching.