Game #30: Just the man we want to see out there
By Scott Caruso | May 3rd, 2008 | Posted in Game Thread
After last night’s unpleasantness, James Shields is just the guy we want to see out there tonight. He’s been stellar so far this season, but never moreso than the last time out against these very same Red Sox and against this very same Josh Beckett. Can he put up a repeat performance? I sure hope so.
What to watch for: Who makes the necessary adjustments? Do the Rays’ hitters turn things around and pound on Beckett a little, or does he learn from his mistakes and keep the Rays off-balance? What about Jamie? Will his stuff be as electric as it was last time out, or will he have to go at it this time on mostly guts and moxie? It should be a great one.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
James Shields – Shields faced just 29 hitters Sunday against the Red Sox, limiting the world champions to two hits and a walk, while throwing just 98 pitches en route to a two-hit shutout. Shields’ best pitch has always been his changeup, but he also has a plus fastball and curve and he’s added a cutter that has helped him throw inside to left-handers. Shields is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in one start at Fenway Park.
Josh Beckett - Boston’s ace may have taken the loss in his last start, but the right-hander was dominating. Beckett had a career-high 13 strikeouts, allowing four hits and one earned run over seven innings on April 27. Minus a solo home run to Rays rookie Evan Longoria, Beckett kept the Rays batters in fits, issuing one walk over 26 batters faced. The right-hander will look to get his third win this season as he faces the Rays again, this time on his home turf.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Josh Beckett.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
BOSTON RED SOX |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | CF – Jacoby Ellsbury |
| LF – Carl Crawford | 2B – Dustin Pedroia |
| DH – Eric Hinske | DH – David Ortiz |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | LF – Manny Ramirez |
| 3B – Evan Longoria | 3B – Mike Lowell |
| C – Dioner Navarro | 1B – Kevin Youkilis |
| RF – Gabe Gross | RF – J.D. Drew |
| CF – Nathan Haynes | C – Jason Varitek |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | SS – Julio Lugo |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I might be the only person with no life who’d even think of sitting in the chat room tonight. :)
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
GROSS!!!!! (Eat it, Jason! hahaha)
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Seems like the team has regressed. Just got smacked all over again tonight.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Boy this team can give you the highest high and then turn
right around and drop you right back down.