Andy Sonnanstine and Kenny Rogers are very similar pitchers (aside from the whole throwing from different sides of the plate thing). When good, they are both really good. When bad, they are both really bad. This season has been a mix of both for each of them; to Sonny’s credit, though, he does lead the team in the over-rated “wins” stat and has a slightly lower WHIP this year than Rogers. The key to both pitchers is the ability to work ahead in the count and keep the ball down in the zone. If either pitcher gets elevation to his pitches, chances are he’s going to get hit.
Needless to say, I worry about Sonny against Los Tigres.
What to watch for: Last night, there were some good things from the offense. B.J. Upton looked a lot more like B.J. Upton. Carlos Pena took some good hacks despite striking out twice. Jason Bartlett found a gap. Now it’s time to build on that.
Also, with all of the innings the ‘pen threw last night, I’m sure Joe is hoping for at least 7 innings out of The Duke tonight.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Andy Sonnanstine – Sonnanstine expressed disappointment at the offense’s lack of fire power and with good reason. In his last start, a loss to Kansas City, he got one run of support. Before that, he also got one. Against the Royals, he did well for the first six innings, allowing three runs. Then in the seventh, he allowed two runners on base before exiting the game. Reliever Al Reyes came in and gave up a three-run homer. Sonnanstine finished with 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs.
Kenny Rogers - Rogers is 9-4 with a 3.10 ERA in his career against the Rays, but just 1-4 with a 5.04 ERA at Tropicana Field, where he hasn’t won since 2001 and hasn’t pitched at all since 2006. He returns to find an obviously much-improved Rays team that probably won’t make his task any easier. The Gambler has alternated quality and non-quality starts over his past six outings, most recently a Monday loss at Cleveland that sank on an unlikely Asbdrubal Cabrera two-run homer on what ended up being a cut changeup, a pitch Rogers had neither invented nor intended.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against The Gambler.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
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DETROIT TIGERS |
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Tags: Tigers
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Offense is back in Tampa Bay baby!!! Momma said knock Detroit OUT!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Bring the BROOMS