Jason Bartlett’s back as the Rays hit the road to take on the Royals for four games over the weekend. This could be a golden opportunity for the team to take 3 out of 4, so let’s see how they react. Remember: the last time the Rays were on the road, they lost 6 straight games. No repeats, please?
What to watch for: That APB for the offense is still out. Anyone going to answer it?
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Matt Garza - Garza is coming off his eighth win this season, a dominating performance on Saturday night vs. the Blue Jays, in which he allowed two hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He fanned six Jays in the 107-pitch performance, and for only the second time this season did not issue a walk. The 24-year-old right-hander has a mid-90s fastball that sinks, a curve, a slider and a changeup. He is 0-3 in four games vs. Kansas City, with a 3.42 ERA. Garza’s lone no-decision to the Royals came this season, when he allowed three runs over six 2/3 innings on July 7.
Gil Meche - Meche had one of his best performances on Saturday night at Chicago, going 6 1/3 innings in a 9-1 victory. He allowed the White Sox just two hits and, at one point, retired 16 of 17 batters. Meche came out of the bullpen with a good fastball and worked both sides of the plate very well. He had thrown just 91 pitches when he was relieved. Meche faced Tampa Bay on July 7, giving up two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals won, but he had no decision.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Gil Meche.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
KANSAS CITY ROYALS |
| 2B - Akinori Iwamura | LF - David DeJesus |
| CF - B.J. Upton | SS - Mike Aviles |
| LF - Carl Crawford | 2B - Mark Grudzielanek |
| 3B - Evan Longoria | RF - Jose Guillen |
| 1B - Carlos Pena | 3B - Alex Gordon |
| DH - Cliff Pena | DH - Billy Butler |
| C - Dioner Navarro | 1B - Ross Gload |
| RF - Eric Hinske | C - John Buck |
| SS - Jason Bartlett | CF - Mitch Maier |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Royals
July 24th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Can the Rays please trade for an offense?
July 25th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
At least J Bart came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. Please score more runs!
July 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hey how bout that Pena came through and got us insurance which we needed. The infields back in tact, defensive numbers should be going back up. When are people going to realize Upton is a very smooth graceful player and he is going full steam he’s not a herky jerky player. If you add his walks into his batting average he’s back up around 300. Look at his OBP. I believe he’s second in the league in walks. My Opinion about CC, and I know you all are holding your breath waiting to hear it, is CC is not a great ball player, he is a great athlete playing baseball so he’s going to have his long dryspells but when he reemerges watch out.