2024 Sunburst Awards: Detroit Tigers games 24-26
Rays fall to 13-13 after three game series at Tropicana Field
“Sunburst Awards” is a series-by-series evaluation of player performance, where four different awards are given out after each series: Offensive player of the series, defensive player of the series, pitcher of the series, and highlight play of the series. This edition will be covering the eighth series of the season, where the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Detroit Tigers from April 22nd through April 24th, a three game series in Tropicana Field.
The Rays follow up a series loss against the New York Yankees with a three game home series against the Detroit Tigers.
Game 1: Tigers - 7 Rays - 1 (recap)
Game 2: Tigers - 4 Rays - 2 (recap)
Game 3: Tigers - 5 Rays - 7 (recap)
Offensive Sunburst Award: Isaac Paredes
Paredes earns his second Offensive Sunburst in what was generally a poor series offensively for the Rays.
Paredes, unlike most his teammates, batted pretty well the entire series, with five hits, two RBI, and two runs over the three game stretch. This includes a two run home run to take the lead in game two of the series.
While this was a forgettable series offensively for Rays fans, Paredes was at least one player that didn’t succumb to the seemingly inescapable slump.
Pitching Sunburst Award: Ryan Pepiot
Pepiot wins his second Pitching Sunburst Award with a premier day on the mound in game two of the series.
The former Dodger pitched six innings allowing just one earned run and three hits while striking out four.
His efforts wouldn’t result in a win however, as the Rays put up just two runs in the game and fell to the Tigers after a blown lead by the bullpen.
Defensive Sunburst Award: Amed Rosario
Defense was another category in which there wasn’t much to be excited about, however Rosario certainly kept us all entertained having to dodge teammate Randy Arozarena to catch fly balls in this series.
Twice he had the star outfielder sprinting at him to try and get a ball he eventually caught, including this play where he maintained focus despite seeing Arozarena sprinting at him full speed.
Highlight Sunburst Award: Curtis Mead
Mead has certainly been struggling in the majors so far in his career, not being the top level prospect fans had expected behind all of the hype around him.
However, this two run home run, his second in his big league career, was just what the doctor ordered, giving Mead perhaps a much needed confidence boost and the Rays a two run lead late in game three.
The 327 foot home run is his first of the 2024 season, and good for his first Sunburst Award of the year.
Conclusion
The Rays follow up a disappointing series loss against the Tigers with a day off followed by a three game series in Chicago against the White Sox. First pitch of the series is set for 7:40 PM on Friday.