Game #76: Rays hoping for a mid-week fish fry
By Scott Caruso | June 24th, 2008 | Posted in Game Thread
If the Rays want to remain serious contenders for a playoff spot in the American League, they are going to need to start winning some games on the road. Tonight would be a great time to start, as they open up a 3-game tilt with the Marlins in South Florida. Last year, Miami was very good to the Rays, so let’s hope that this year is no different.
Plus, with 3 games at Pittsburgh to follow, it could be a good way for the Rays to pad that win total before the Red Sox come to town on Monday.
What to watch for: The Rays missed Scott Olsen on the Marlins’ jaunt through Tampa a couple of weeks ago, so they don’t have anything recent to go off of when they step in against him tonight. In general, he’s probably pitched a little worse than his ERA would lead you believe, and is the master of racking up no-decisions. He’s prone to the long-ball, so the Rays might look to play a little home run derby against him.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Andy Sonnanstine – Sonnanstine picked up his team-leading eighth win of the season Wednesday night against the Cubs, after allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings plus one batter. The right-hander is a master of deception, employing an array of pitches that he can throw from all different angles. But he is at his best when he uses his fastball to set up the other pitches. Sonnanstine will be facing the Marlins for the second time this season, as the 25-year-old picked up a win against the Fish on June 13. In that contest at Tropicana Field, Sonnanstine tossed five 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits.
Scott Olsen – After coming out winless in Seattle in his last start, Olsen remains without a victory since he beat Milwaukee on May 6. Not that the lefty has pitched poorly over that stretch, but he was knocked around a bit by the Mariners. In 4 1/3 innings, he surrendered five runs (four earned) on 11 hits. The outing was his shortest in five starts. Typically, he goes at least five innings. He had a string of three consecutive six-plus innings starts snapped.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Scott Olsen.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
FLORIDA MARLINS |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | SS – Hanley Ramirez |
| 1B – Willy Aybar | RF – Jeremy Hermida |
| LF – Carl Crawford | 3B – Jorge Cantu |
| CF – B.J. Upton | LF – Josh Willingham |
| 3B – Evan Longoria | 2B – Dan Uggla |
| C – Dioner Navarro | 1B – Mike Jacobs |
| RF – Jonny Gomes | CF – Cody Ross |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | C – Paul Hoover |
| P – Andy Sonnanstine | P – Scott Olsen |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Marlins
June 24th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Wasn’t pretty but it was a W and that’s what counts. Evan just being Evan.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Rays Win! Percy does have a flair for the dramatic.