Damon (DH), Zobrist (RF), Longoria (3B), Kotchman (1B), Upton (CF), Rodrigues (2B), Ruggiano (LF), Chirinos (C), Johnson (SS)
Chirinos, who performed well in spring training, gets the call up because Lobaton has been put on the 15 day DL with a ligament strain. I know what you’re thinking: that was a short tenure. One would assume that Jaso would be put back on the roster when he comes off of the DL in 12 days or so. But you never know, stranger things have happened…perhaps he’ll stay in AAA Durham for an, ahem, extended rehab stint.
Impressive rookie starting pitcher Alex Cobb, 3.41 ERA, takes the hill against Butthead doppelgänger AJ Burnett, 8-7, 4.15 ERA. It’s worth noting that Cobb has progressively improved with every start on the Rays roster. Let’s hope that trend continues.
At 7.0 games out of first, and 5.5 behind the second place Yankees (you’re right, it DOES feel good to say second place Yankees), this stands to be a very important series. Tonights game will, again, be broadcasted on ESPN with the first pitch at 7:10. My fingers are crossed that they put another camera in the visiting dugout after all, it is nice to see what the personification of asshole looks like.
What to expect from the broadcast: More Rays fan bashing and discussion of poor to mediocre attendance at the Trop. Why don’t they just let Dick Vitale, a bay area citizen and Rays fan, call the game? At least he’d have some understanding and assumed enlightening comments of the economic ends and outs of this area.