Rays can clinch playoff berth with win over Guardians tonight after Orioles lose

CLEVELAND — It’s win-and-in for the Rays tonight, as their magic number to clinch a playoff spot was reduced to one with the Orioles’ loss this afternoon to the Red Sox.

The Rays will have lefty Jeffrey Springs on the mound but no Yandy Diaz in the lineup as they take on the Guardians, first pitch at 6:10 p.m.

Springs, who moved into the rotation from the bullpen in May, has become one of the Rays’ most consistent starters.

Diaz was to make his first start in more than a week on Wednesday but was scratched from the lineup about 40 minutes before first pitch due to recurring soreness in his left shoulder. He said he is somewhat concerned about getting back in the lineup before the end of the season, but manager Kevin Cash said he expects Diaz to do so. In the interim, he is said to be available to pinch-hit.

The Guardians, who already clinched the AL Central, are starting Cal Quantrill.

Also, the Rays called up right-hander Easton McGee, a 2016 fourth-round pick who has had a solid season at Triple-A Durham, to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. Reliever Calvin Faucher was optioned to Durham to create space, and reliever Cristofer Ogando was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Here is the Rays’ lineup:

And for the Guardians:

• • •

Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.