vs
A’S: Dana Eveland (7-6, 3.49 ERA)
7:10 PM, Tropicana Field
TV: FSN Florida
2-out-of-3 ain’t bad, and the Rays aim to do that again against the A’s. If they can take 2 out of every 3 from her eon in, they are going to win the division, so that’s what the goal should be going forward.
Kid K returns to the hill after his win in the All-Star Game. A lot of people were critical about the decision to push him all the way back to today, but I’m okay with it because he’s the most important arm in the starting rotation. No reason to even tempt fate.
What to watch for: Jonny Gomes will get three straight starts against left-handed pitching. This could be his chance to save his job, period.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Scott Kazmir - Kazmir took the loss in his last start, against the Indians on July 13, when he allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings. Kazmir has not picked up a win since June 27 at Pittsburgh, and he’s 1-4 in his last five decisions. In addition, Kazmir has made it into the seventh inning just once in his last seven starts. The lefty is still working to gain command of his slider, which has historically been his best pitch. Without his slider, he has primarily used a fastball-changeup combination this season. He is 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in nine career starts against the A’s.
Dana Eveland - First-inning struggles continued for Eveland in his last start against the Angels. He pitched well in 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs in the first inning, on five hits with five strikeouts, but he also walked five. It was the third straight outing in which Eveland had trouble in the opening frame, but after the game he said toning it down to about 80 percent may be the solution to his early-inning woes. He pitched his first career complete game in his only start against Tampa Bay earlier in the year, giving up a lone run on just three hits while walking one and fanning five in the win.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Dana Eveland.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS | OAKLAND A’S |
| 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: A's
July 21st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Evan is getting scary hot.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Anyone see the “Finally Gnomes” sign? Heh.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
I am ready for what could be my final proposal for trades this July. With Evan being on absolute fire, we don’t need the high-power bat necessarily for the long-run. I am content with setting our sights on Casey Blake to be the righty RF bat, and he can spell Evan at 3B every now and again. Blake is already used to a platoon role, and is a steady performer. He’s not as streaky as some guys are out there. So, I like the idea of sending over Jason Hammel and Wade Townsend to the Tribe for Blake. Townsend has been a disappointment in our system, and maybe he’d be better off with a change of scenery. Anyhow, we get a RF platoon player who does awfully well against lefties (.916 OPS), and can play against righties when needed without hurting the team (.803 OPS). Gomes is done, and we all know it. No need to beat a dead horse.
The other trade I would like us to look into is Arthur Rhodes from Seattle. He wouldn’t cost us a lot in a trade either. Maybe just someone like Brian Henderson (Montgomery LHP reliever) could bring him in. Rhodes has playoff experience, and has been throwing the ball well all year.
The great things about these trades are that we get what we need, and don’t give up a ton on young talent in the process. Blake is a FA after this year, but could sign an extension with us and fit right in for a couple more years. He’s always been a steady performer on the field, and has no problem playing a few different positions. Rhodes would also be a FA, I believe, and gives us another lefty to rely on for the playoff run. What do you guys think?