A nice (albeit ugly) win yesterday to snap the 3-game losing streak. Now, it’s time to make it two in a row. Look for Matty Garza to have a nice outing here after blowing through the Orioles his last time out.
What to watch for: The Rays have been terrible against Marcum in the past, hitting for a combined .083 average (.297 OPS). Obviously they won’t be able to win that way. Marcum’s been tough in general this season, so the Rays really need to get a good outing from Garza and some good swings from the offense.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Matt Garza - Garza made his fourth start of the season for the Rays on Thursday against the Orioles and had his best outing, allowing two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three en route to his first win. Adam Jones’ two-run homer on a hanging slider brought the only blemish to Garza’s line. Garza pitched primarily with his fastball and saved the slider and breaking ball. He is 0-1 with a 23.63 ERA in one career start against the Blue Jays.
Shaun Marcum - On Friday, Marcum overcame an upset stomach with a dominating performance, limiting the White Sox to no runs on two hits over 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out a season-high nine batters, upping his team-leading total to 35 on the season. Since May 13, 2007, Marcum has limited batters to a .230 average — the second-best mark in the American League over that span. He is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career games against the Rays.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Shaun Marcum.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
TORONTO BLUE JAYS |
| 2B - Akinori Iwamura | RF - Alex Rios |
| LF - Carl Crawford | LF - Shannon Stewart |
| CF - B.J. Upton | 3B - Scott Rolen |
| 1B - Carlos Pena | DH - Matt Stairs |
| 3B - Evan Longoria | CF - Vernon Wells |
| DH - Eric Hinske | 1B - Lyle Overbay |
| C - Dioner Navarro | 2B - Aaron Hill |
| RF - Gabe Gross | C - Rod Barajas |
| SS - Jason Bartlett | SS - Marco Scutaro |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Blue Jays
May 7th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
All right now…the Strike-O-Meter says that Pena needs to sit a few games to clear his head and then return in about the number six hole. This is mental now, and he is getting worse and not better by continuing to play.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Finally some volunteers for the I don’t belong here line.
The weak underbelly of the bullpen reared itrs ugly head:S
Scott Dohmann now sports an ERA of 6.14
Trever Miller now sports and ERA of 5.79
Jason Hammel now sports and ERA of 5.04
Here is what we know, Dohmann has never realy been lights out, and would be my first choice to to go, and the Rays get Al Reyes back…
Trever Miller should be pitching to lefties only, we are ruining him by letting him pitch full innings, that isn’t his job… at least it shouldn’t be…
Jason Hammel was bred for the rotation, at least that is what he will tell you- I honestly think at this point we could DFA him and he would clear waivers. It’s just an idea… Has anyone seen the numbers Mr. Grant Balfour has put up at AAA???? I think he has earned another look, and should’ve made the team the first time…
Well it looks like there is enough film on Longoria to see him have his first professional slump, what he does in the next 7-10 days will show what kind of man he is. Look for him to toil in the .250 area for most of the summer. He will figure it out I am not worried. On the other hand, Carlos Pena is blindfolded in the jungle looking for food… He is lost, and completely in his own head… He hasn’t looked right to me all season, even when he was hitting homers those were his only hits in the game… No doubles, no gap shots all pulls, no contact… He needs to get right, quick…. We have to have his production to contine to win…
Disapointed in the lack of guts tonight, they looked lethargic and minor leagueish tonight. Need to get a W tomorrow… Not sure what to expect outta Nuke tho…
May 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
PS Gabe Gross still sucks =)
May 7th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
we want ruggie…he is hungry and will get on base. bat him leadoff. DFA Doh-man.