After the disappointing loss in Game 1, the Rays have a chance to win the series from the Mariners today AND set a franchise record with their 71st win. And they have to do it against mediocre knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. I’ve gotta be honest… I kind of like the Rays’ chances.
Dang it… I just jinxed them.
What to watch for: You never know what to expect from a knuckleballer – especially one who is converted from a regular pitcher. If Dickey is “on,” you never know just how he might pitch.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Edwin Jackson - Jackson got the win in Tuesday’s game, tossing 5 2/3 innings against Cleveland. Although hardly dominant, the 24-year-old Jackson gave the Rays a chance to win — allowing seven hits and three runs — and left the game with a 4-3 lead. Jackson is at his best when he is locating his 97-mph fastball, which sets up his array of other pitches, particularly his slider. The young flamethrower has won his only career appearance against Seattle, tossing eight shutout innings and allowing just two hits.
R.A. Dickey – Dickey has put together two solid starts in a row, seemingly securing his spot in the Mariners’ fluid rotation. He held the Twins to three runs over seven innings in his last start, making big pitches when he had to, and handed a three-run lead to the bullpen, which didn’t hold it, costing the knuckleball specialist a win. He has not faced the Rays this season and is 0-1 with a 7.38 ERA in his career against them.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against R.A. Dickey.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
SEATTLE MARINERS |
| LINEUP 1 | LINEUP 1 |
| LINEUP 2 | LINEUP 2 |
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| 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: Mariners
August 10th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Loosing CC is going to make it tough the rest of the season. I don’t thing Rocco wanted his activation this way. Well maybe some one will stand up and take on the CC load. Going to need Kaz to get tough.
August 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
CC on the DL and a possible inconsistent appearance from Rocco and still missing the great defense from Longo and Barlett. This is the time where everything could fall apart, but this is also the time when good teams push through, keep winning, and become great teams. Pitching needs to step up, and Price needs to finally show us why he is a 1st round draft pick. With the recently acquired right hander from Baltimore is it possibly Price is being pushed towards the rotation? I doubt it, but you never know.
Tonight will be the start of the hard part of the season. We can push through it, we can still win, our pitching can be perfect, our bats still have plenty of hits left, I still think we can go all the way.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Nice start for Rocco. Aybar really stepped up today. Although it seemed like Jackson gave up a bunch of hits, he seemed to scatter them around and not let any score. Helped the BP by going 7. Couldn’t ask much more of him. Nice to see 71 and even nicer to see those two teams from ESPN falling farther behind. Be nice after this road trip to have a 6 or 7 game lead over the second place team. Just hoping it’s not a season ending problem for CC after all he’s done hate to see him miss out on a September that finally means something. God what an outfield with him, BJ and Rocco. I think the day off has come just at the right time. Barlett and Longo get another days rest without missing any action. Gonna lite a candle for CC.