[Game #2] RAYS @ Red Sox: Lefty versus Lefty
By Scott Caruso | April 8th, 2009 | Posted in Game Thread
Alright, so the Rays got that first one out of the system. Kid K takes the hill in game 2 and will be ready to rock and roll and tear through the Red Sox lineup like he’s done so many times before. I can just feel it.
And if he doesn’t, I’ve got plenty of Miller Lite in the fridge with which to drown my sorrows.
What to watch for: The bats. The Rays were notoriously bad against left-handed pitching last season. Let’s see how the combination of Pat Burrell, Gabe Kapler, and Ben Zobrist helps with that.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Scott Kazmir – Kazmir struggled throughout the second half of the 2008 season, primarily due to an inability to locate his slider, which historically has been his best pitch. In the first half he posted a 3.02 ERA and in the second he pitched to a 4.02 ERA. The left-hander enjoyed a nice spring that saw him find his slider and lock in his mechanics, which could be a precursor to a good season. Historically, he has enjoyed pitching at Fenway Park, where he is 4-4 with a 3.02 ERA in 11 career starts. He is 6-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 21 career starts against the Red Sox.
Jon Lester – The left-handed Lester is coming off a breakthrough season. Aside from winning 16 games, he led the staff with 210 1/3 innings. He threw a no-hitter against the Royals at Fenway on May 19. He also had a shutout at Yankee Stadium on July 3. He was the American League’s Pitcher of the Month in July, going 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Lester is 16-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 31 career games at Fenway. He is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA against Tampa Bay. However, the Rays beat him twice in the American League Championship Series last October.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
BOSTON RED SOX |
| SS – Jason Bartlett | CF – Jacoby Ellsbury |
| LF – Carl Crawford | 2B – Dustin Pedroia |
| 3B - Evan Longoria | DH – David Ortiz |
| 1B – Carlos Pena | 1B – Kevin Youkiilis |
| DH – Pat Burrell | RF – Rocco Baldelli |
| C – Dioner Navarro | LF – Jason Bay |
| RF – Ben Zobrist | 3B – Mike Lowell |
| CF – Gabe Kapler | SS – Jed Lowrie |
| 2B – Akinori Iwamura | C – Jason Varitek |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
April 8th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I would play Joyce every day to see how he dose until Upton returns. I think he could be our right fielder every day and we would be able to get rid of one Gabe to make room for Upton at that time.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
In the chat room for the first time this season! Come join me!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Scott-
Sorry, could not make it. Will be more diligent in the future. I love the chat room sessions. See all the crew there in the future.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Like I said Rays 7 BOS 2 and 2 out of 3 ain’t BAD and that was Maddon’s thought last year and it should be ours all year long so Go Rays and win the 2nd tomorrow