Carlos Mencia lookalike, Bartolo Colon (3-2, 2.53 ERA) takes to the mound tonight to take on a very confident Tampa Bay Rays, who are on a six game winning street. The Rays are 9-1 in their last 10 games, and 13-1 at home so far this season, as they attempt to add another tally in the W column tonight.
Colon is having a resurgence of sorts following the A’s acquisition of the rather swarthy right handed pitcher, posting a 2.53 ERA/34 H/12 R (all earned)/3 HR line, while giving up only three home runs and six walks, and striking out 26 in 42.2 innings of work. However, the Rays have had his number over the years, hitting .350 including 10 home runs. Carlos Pena, Sean Rodriguez, Luke Scott, BJ Upton, and Ben Zobrist, in particular, have an heaps of success against Colon, hitting a combined .373 with eight of the 10 Rays homers. Be looking for them to play a big role in tonight’s game.
Will Rhymes gets the start at third today, while Elliot Johnson takes over the duties at short-stop. Rhymes has posted some fairly good numbers since his call-up earlier this week. Rhymes has gone four-for-eleven, with three runs while striking out twice in the three games he’s appeared in. He will play an integral part in the lineup today with Rodriguez, who’s had some success against Colon, getting the day off.
Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.51 ERA) gets the start for the Rays tonight. Helly has been very tough on opposing teams at the Trop, and poses an imminent threat to the A’s tonight. Young Jeremy is coming off of a 7 IP, one run performance on the 30th against the Mariners, where he struck out seven. Incidentally, Tampa Bay is 10-0 at the Trop when Hellickson is on the mound, one game shy of a team record. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see the Rays beat the A’s in the same manner as last night?! The starting lineup is below. As always, Go Rays!
Tampa Bay Rays (19-8) Starting Lineup:
Jennings LF
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Joyce RF
Scott DH
Zobrist 2B
Rhymes 3B
Molina C
Johnson SS
Hellickson RHP
Noteworthy musings: Local ESPN commentator, Dick Vitale, tweeted yesterday, “Need a new Stadium TROP. does not get it done Let’s go Rays!” As inclined as I am to find fault in his sentiment, I can’t. Why? He’s a local and he understands, more or less, the nuts and bolts of the Tampa Bay area…unlike some of his ESPN contemporaries. John Kruk on the other hand? That talking sausage needs to lay off.