Robbie

Ray

Both runs came in the sixth. Esmerlyn Valdez led off the inning with a homer. Ray then walked Bryan Reynolds and struck out Oneil Cruz before being pulled in favor of Bradgley Rodriguez, who surrendered a go-ahead double to score the inherited runner. Ray struck out five and allowed just two hard-hit balls other than the homer. He’ll likely face the Rays on Sunday.

Well, it’s definitely an improved outing from Ray, but that’s mostly because Fernando Tatis Jr. made a jumping catch to take away a grand slam from Francisco Lindor in the second. As a result, Ray collected hit first win in three starts for the Padres. He issued three more walks tonight, bringing his total to 11 in 15 innings for his new team. Those that stuck with him were rewarded, but the outing doesn’t make him look like any better of a bet for the future. He’ll start at home against the Pirates next time out.

Ray’s first two starts with the Padres have seen him increase his changeup usage at the expense of his curve and sinker. It’s not working out so far, but that might be primarily because of how wild he’s been; he’s allowed six runs and walked eight over nine innings for his new team. It’s worth sticking with him for his start against the Mets next week, but he might be droppable in shallow leagues if he doesn’t show some improvement then.

Ray allowed seven hits and walked five with just a 16 percent CSW, so this really could have been worse. And it was still better than Casey Mize’s debut, so he has that going for him. Ray will face the Brewers next on Wednesday.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen added that Robbie Ray will make his debut against the Astros on Friday. Mize was a last-minute addition at the trade deadline after posting a strong 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 85/19 K/BB ratio across 86 2/3 innings for the Tigers. He’s been battling some lingering groin issues throughout the year, but he’s ready to roll this week after heading out west.

According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, the Giants are paying about half of the $9 milllion or so Ray is owed, including a portion of his $1 million trade bonus. Ray will join Michael King and Walker Buehler in a Padres rotation that could get Nick Pivetta and/or Joe Musgrove back at the end of the month. Another bat would be nice, but the chances of a late run are looking up. Ray, 34, had a 3.08 ERA in 122 2/3 innings for the Giants. He’s at 1.09 while focusing on his sinker in his last seven starts.

RHP Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez make up the return for the Giants. Ray will join a Padres rotation that’s pretty much just Michael King and some swingmen at the moment. He has a 3.08 ERA this season as he closes out a five-year, $115 million deal he originally signed with the Mariners.

Ray’s likely final start for the Giants was a very good one, as he struck out six and walked one while allowing only three singles and a double. He’s now 6-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his last eight starts. His 41/21 K/BB in 49 1/3 innings during the stretch isn’t nearly as impressive, but with the way his groundball rate has ticked up, he should be pretty attractive to contenders.

Ray was brilliant against the Angels on Saturday, holding them scoreless over six innings on his way to a win. He scattered six hits and two walks, tossing 54 of 80 pitches for strikes to collect five strikeouts. It was an excellent showcase for the 34-year-old left-hander, who could find himself on the move by the August 3 trade deadline. He’ll take a 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 101/56 K/BB ratio across 116 2/3 innings into a start against the Padres in San Diego on Thursday.

Ray struck out six. He gave up two unearned runs in a fourth inning that started with a Casey Schmitt error, and he allowed back-to-back singles to start the fifth before being pulled, which eventually led to the one earned run. It’s the first time since May 31 that Ray failed to complete five innings. He remains 8-6 with a 3.33 ERA, and he has a favorable matchup next weekend at home against the Angels.