Not sure why, but it feels like the Rays have been away from home forever even though it’s only been a week. This homestand could be a GREAT chance for the Rays to pick up some ground in the AL East, as it begins with 6 winnable games against the Orioles and Rangers. We then close with 4 against the White Sox, another team that I honestly believe we can beat. Is a 7-3 or 8-2 homestand totally out of the question? I don’t think so.
What to watch for: Matt Garza was less-than-marvelous last time out. Let’s see how he bounces back now that he’s home.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Matt Garza – Garza will be making his eighth start of the season in his second start of the season against the Orioles. He last pitched against the O’s on May 1 and picked up his first win of the season. During Saturday’s no-decision against the Cardinals, he gave up six earned runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Garza has a mid-90s fastball that sinks, a curve, a slider and a changeup. He is 4-0 with a 3.54 ERA in five career appearances against the Orioles.
Jeremy Guthrie – Guthrie allowed one earned run in his last outing and still took a loss. The right-hander has had trouble with run support but has consistently worked deep into games. Guthrie has yet to be knocked out before completing five innings.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Jeremy Guthrie.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
BALTIMORE ORIOLES |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | 2B – Brian Roberts |
| LF – Carl Crawford | 3B – Melvin Mora |
| CF – B.J. Upton | RF – Nick Markakis |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | DH – Aubrey Huff |
| 3B – Evan Longoria | 1B – Kevin Millar |
| DH – Cliff Floyd | LF – Luke Scott |
| C – Dioner Navarro | C – Ramon Hernandez |
| RF – Eric Hinske | CF – Adam Jones |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | SS – Freddie Bynum |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Orioles
May 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Good morning! Waiting to hear what you think of yesterdays game. Still not good umpiring but after 10 years of calls going against us we finally got a bad call to go in our favor. I did not have the ability to see the replay of the ball hit by crybaby Huff but from my point of view looking at 1st base it looked fair. Oh well! That’s the breaks and now someone else can feel or pain for a chance. Also note the home plate Ump was blind when it came to Garza’s out side corner.