Well wouldn’t that be a nice way to end the first series after the All-Star Break? The Rays could use a sweep - that would be 3 games in a row, called a winning streak in some circles - after the pre-All-Star Break debacle. The Angels, for their part, have been helping the Rays out and we’re now the proud owners of a 1 1/2 game lead in the East again. Maybe the stars align properly and we come out of today with a 2 1/2 game lead? We can only hope.
What to watch for: Parrish has been a reliever for most of his big league career, so you’d think he’d take his lumps in his transition to a starter this year. Not so, thus far, but the Rays offense is primed to break out and today is as good a day as any to make that happen.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Edwin Jackson - Jackson threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball in an impressive outing against the Yankees on July 9. The right-hander gave up just six hits and struck out three to come away with the no-decision. Jackson allowed his only earned run in the first inning, but he kept the Yankees off the scoreboards after that and retired seven of the final eight batters he faced. Jackson is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in seven career appearances against the Blue Jays.
John Parrish - With starters Dustin McGowan (right shoulder) and Shaun Marcum (right elbow) sidelined for the time being, Parrish has pitched his way into a rotation job. In his first two outings for the Jays, the lefty gave up four runs on 10 hits over 13 innings, in which he struck out seven and walked four. On July 10, Parrish took a no-decision after allowing three runs on six hits in a seven-inning effort against the Orioles.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against John Parrish.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
TORONTO BLUE JAYS |
| LINEUP 1 | LINEUP 1 |
| LINEUP 2 | LINEUP 2 |
| LINEUP 3 | LINEUP 3 |
| LINEUP 4 | LINEUP 4 |
| LINEUP 5 | LINEUP 5 |
| LINEUP 6 | LINEUP 6 |
| LINEUP 7 | LINEUP 7 |
| LINEUP 8 | LINEUP 8 |
| LINEUP 9 | LINEUP 9 |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Blue Jays
July 20th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Well now we have discovered a strong right handed DH, now we need to find a 3rd baseman.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:02 am
You have a MVP 3rd baseman now we need a strong 4 man in the Rotation. I have tried to support Jackson but the team needs 2 new arms. One Starting & one in relief. We also need to add a RF with a bat. This was still a great return from the break. It is great we feel upset in not winning but we need to do just what we are doing and that is winning serious.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:36 am
I haven’t give up on Jackson. He should have 3 more wins in his win column. Two for sure. The closure couldn’t close one game he pitched a one hit shut out and closure game up three runs to let them tie us. We eventually won the game but Jack got a NR. He had another shut out lost where he got a NR. So his record is better that it looks. He’ll never be a 1 or 2 starter bit 4 or 5 yes. Oaklands going to be a tough series, they don’t give up many runs. Good pitching staff, If our staff can match their’s I think we can score a few more runs than they can so we should take the series. I think the series rest on how Kaz does tonite.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:40 am
Being from Michigan originally, the other team I follow is the Detroit Tigers. Anyone given any thought to trading for their young, up and coming RF, Matt Joyce? The kid has a LOT of upside and has some pop in his bat and is a good fielder.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Does anyone know how many mort times at bat Navvi needs to start appearing on the batting average stats.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Not counting navi, aki is the team batting leader at about .274…pretty poor batting for the division leaders! Great luck, defense and pitching.