Prior to Thursday’s game, the Rays cautiously placed Troy Percival on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain and reinstated infielder Willy Aybar from the DL.
Okay, so at 54 games into the season, it’s probably a little early to be talking about playoff previews, but I know it’s something in the back of pretty much everyone’s mind right now. Could this be a potential ALDS or ALCS match-up? How do the Rays stack up against the best in the AL Central? We’re going to find out.
What to watch for: John Danks is pretty good, and he’s had his way with the Rays in the past. He can get wild from time to time, though, so it’s important for the Rays to stay patient and make the most of their at-bats. Seeing a lefty on the hill always worries me.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Edwin Jackson – Jackson finally got some run support from the Rays’ offense Saturday night against the Orioles, and the right-hander nailed down his first win since April 10. He allowed three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two. The 24-year-old right-hander has electric stuff, which brings the expectations of future greatness, and just lately he has shown signs of finding the consistency that he has not been able to harness. He is 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox.
John Danks – Danks picked up his first loss in his last four trips to the mound Saturday against the Angels. He lasted only five innings, but allowed just two runs on five hits and two walks. Danks has been a victim of his offense for much of the year, receiving only seven runs of support in his last six starts. He faced Tampa Bay on April 20 in what was arguably his best start of the season. He allowed no runs over seven innings and struck out eight to pick up his second ‘W’ of the season.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against John Danks.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
CHICAGO WHITE SOX |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | SS – Orlando Cabrera |
| LF – Carl Crawford | C – A.J. Pierzynski |
| CF – B.J. Upton | LF – Carlos Quinten |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | RF – Jermaine Dye |
| 3B – Evan Longoria | DH – Jim Thome |
| C – Dioner Navarro | 1B – Jim Thome |
| RF – Jonny Gomes | 3B – Joe Crede |
| DH – Willy Aybar | CF – Nick Swisher |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | 2B – Alexei Ramirez |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dukes watch: hitting .149 with Nationals.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
No Cliff Floyd or Eric Hinske in the lineup? I know, lefty/righty, but they both seem to have been swinging the bat well lateley.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
You should do a tale of the tapeon view from the bleachers…thats pretty cool