Matt Garza gets the ball as the Rays take to the field in the home opener at Tropicana Field tonight. The game is a sell-out, and the fans in attendance are sure to be heavily in support of their hometown boys in blue.
The things standing in the Rays’ way, however, is a stellar lefty named Erik Bedard – not exactly the kind of thing that the doctor ordered considering how the Rays’ bats have looked the past few days. Wasn’t his trade to Seattle supposed to keep him AWAY from us? We can only hope the injury concerns that pushed him back to today’s game keep him from being at the top of his game.
There’s nothing quite like the home opener. The players want to win just a little bit more. The fans sit just a little bit closer to the edge of their seats. And the atmosphere is unrivaled by any other day of the season. With a season so filled with excitement and hope, this is – outside of the first one in 1998 – the most anticipated home opener in team history.
What to watch for: The Rays bats have been silent for 2 games. Though Erik Bedard isn’t the best person to try and wake up again, you can bet that the Rays won’t want their bats to stay asleep for the hometown crowd.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Matt Garza – Garza will be making his second start for the Rays in the home opener after making his debut Wednesday night against the Orioles. He got a no-decision after allowing five earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, in 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander has a fastball that occasionally touches 97 mph, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. He is 1-1 with a 9.64 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners.
Erik Bedard - Bedard was originally slated to start Sunday against his former team, the Orioles, but was pushed back. Bedard bobbed and weaved his way through five innings on Opening Day, settling for a no-decision. He threw 106 pitches, but the only run he allowed was a solo home run.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Erik Bedard.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
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TAMPA BAY RAYS |
SEATTLE MARINERS |
| 2B - Akinori Iwamura | CF – Ichiro Suzuki |
| LF – Carl Crawford | 2B – Jose Lopez |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | 3B - Adrian Beltre |
| CF – B.J. Upton | LF – Raul Ibanez |
| DH – Jonny Gomes | 1B – Richie Sexson |
| 3B – Willy Aybar | RF – Brad Wilkerson |
| C – Shawn Riggans | DH – Jose Vidro |
| RF – Elliot Johnson | C – Kenji Johjima |
| SS - Jason Bartlett | SS – Yuniesky Betancourt |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Sorry fellas, but I’m not going to be in the chat room tonight – I’ve got a softball game at 8:30 and won’t be home in time to enjoy it with you. Carry on the fun without me!