Rays of Light

Game 133
So here it is: 30 games left and the Rays still sit perched high atop the American League East. This weekend gives the team its best chance in a couple of weeks to reel off 3 straight wins and really try to put some distance between itself and the Red Sox.
The Orioles, though, counter with their best starting pitcher in their effort to play spoiler.

What to watch for: Which Scott Kazmir shows up? For our sake, let’s hope it’s the good one.

Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Scott Kazmir - Kazmir took a no-decision in his last outing, against the White Sox on Saturday, when he allowed three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. The 24-year-old left-hander has struggled with his mechanics lately and has worked all season with little luck to gain command of his slider, which has historically been his best pitch. Without his slider, Kazmir has relied primarily on a fastball-changeup combination. He is 4-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 12 career starts against the Orioles.

Jeremy Guthrie - Guthrie, Baltimore’s ace, suffered through one of his worst starts of the season in his last outing, a 5-3 loss to the Yankees. The right-hander also served up two homers in his second consecutive loss. Still, the Orioles are likely not worried in the least about Guthrie, who has proven time and again this season to be the only person who can consistently and confidently take the ball every fifth day. Guthrie will also get an extra day of rest due to the Orioles off-day on Thursday. Guthrie has faced the Rays twice this season, both times at Tropicana Field, and he is 0-2, despite allowing just three combined earned runs.

Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Jeremy Guthrie.

View the game preview from Baseball Reference.


TAMPA BAY RAYS
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
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

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One Response to “Game #133: Time to put the foot on the throat”

  1. Richard Says:

    Nice to see the bats come alive. Our DH tonite was really a DH. Nice to see Zorbist get his firs grand slam. I know Kaz got the win tonite but a little less time bitching about the fans on the Jim Rome show and a little more work getting his slider and change up working might be a better idea. He should give half his paycheck to the bull pen. Well you can’t sweep them unless your wind the first.