…As Seen On TV: A Rays vs Yankees Game Thread in Real Time

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Oh yeah, this stuff happened too:

  • A first inning RBI double by BJ Upton, driving in Desmond Jennings who reached on a walk…that certainly didn’t suck.
  • Evan Longoria sent a two run blast to left field in the bottom of the third which drove in the go ahead runs, giving the Rays a lead they would never relent.
  • A frustrated Joe Girardi losing his cool and getting ejected…priceless. I’m guessing he losing his cool had more to do with the frustration of a team that allowed a 10 game lead in the middle of July dwindle down to nothing by the end of the night. Maybe he should call Francona for some sagely advice.
  • Back to back homers for Desmond Jennings and BJ Upton! Upton went yard twice in two days and that’s, well…awesome! That his homers were crushed to center both days is icing on the cake. Hmm, I suspect that there were enough fans in the stands both days. You know, or else those balls would have fallen short. I digress…
  • Cobber really bounced back after a rough first inning, ultimately retiring the last 14 hitters in a row. Cobb posted a 7 IP/4 H/2 R/2 ER/1 BB/5 K line, on 97 pitches (68 for strikes). He also posted a 75% GB/FB%. With the exception of a first inning pitch that he left up in the zone, which…ahem, ultimately found its way to the outfield seats, Cobb kept the ball down, inducing ground out after ground out. Let’s assume that Niemann came back healthy following his stint in the DL; if it came down to a battle over who’d get the last spot on post-season roster, I’d easily choose Cobb, especially after what he’s done since the beginning of August.
  • With that 5-2 win over the Bronx Bummers, the Rays find themselves back in second place behind the Yankees and O’s who are tied for first. And how about Rodney?! 42 saves, and a 0.71 ERA…that’s straight up incredible.
  • Oh yeah, the Rays have won yet another series against those rubes in the AL East. They’re now 10-1 against the Yankees in their last 11 games at the Trop, extending back to the 2011 miracle season.
  • The Yankees were held to six hits or less for fifth straight game, their longest such streak since 1990.

The Rays smell the blood in the water, and now they’re only 1.5 games back, both in the East and in the wildcard race!

Rays vs. the Bronx Bummers (9/4/12 Starting Lineup Included)

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields reacts after retiring the New York Yankees in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays defeated the Yankees 4-3. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Here we go Rays fans, let’s get psyched. Why? Entering tonight’s game, the Rays are only 2.5 games behind the AL East leading New York Yankees. Tampa Bay and Baltimore are primed to move up a notch with wins both this evening and tomorrow night. In an ideal (ahem, ideal for us that is) world, Baltimore and Tampa Bay could find themselves at the top of the heap in the east, by the time the AL West leading Texas Rangers mosey in to town Friday.

The win a day prior was huge. Sure, a superficial glance at the score only is deceptive. But another low scoring, lackluster Rays game it was not. Tampa Bay fought hard in what easily felt like a post-season game. Racking up the hits and continuously applying pressure to a frugal Yankees team, the Rays were finally able to nail the coffin shut thanks to Chris Gimenez who handed the Yankees their 19th loss since July 25th on an eighth inning, two out RBI single which drove Ryan Roberts home.

The Rays have had a hard time getting hits throughout the course of the season. They’ve had an even harder time making those hits count. However, they’ve (knock on wood) seemingly finally turned that corner, doing what they do best: pitching, defense, and getting those timely hits. It should be noted that Tampa Bay 12-8 in their last 20 games when they’ve accrued seven or more hits in the course of a game. Yesterday was no different. Sure they were 2-9 wRISP yesterday, and that’s not pretty in the least, but they certainly didn’t roll over and play dead. Tampa Bay had base runners in every inning but the seventh, continually applying the pressure until they were ultimately able to break through.

And that brings us to tonight’s match-up. The Rays look to extend their current winning streak to four, while keeping pressure on a faltering Yankees team. Tampa Bay is now 9-1 against the Yankees at the Trop, extending back to last season, and it should also be noted that the Bronx Bummers held a 10 game lead in the AL East just a month an a half ago.

Rays 9/4/12 Starting Lineup:

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria DH
Joyce RF
Keppinger 3B
Pena 1B
Roberts 2B
Molina C
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness: Evan Longoria, who was pulled from the game in the seventh inning yesterday, will DH today finding Jeff Keppinger handling the hot corner and hitting sixth. Joe Maddon made the decision after Longoria started the last three games straight among other things. Carlos Peña will get the start at first, hitting seventh. Nope, Luke Scott isn’t in the lineup. I assume he’ll be busy regaling the dugout with stories of hunting pigs and listening to the Nuge. Oh to be a fly on the wall… Joe Maddon mentioned today that the tiny dancer, Jeff Niemann, will undergo further testing on shoulder soon, saying “I don’t anticipate him pitching anytime soon.” Could this be the end of the tall RHP tenure with the Rays?

Oh yeah, the Bucs are having a hard time selling out their home opener. Even the Rays sold out their first three home games. I guess the Bucs should move to St. Pete…at least they’d fill 73% of the stadium.

Rays Labor Day Lineup

Rays Labor Day Lineup vs NYY:

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Zobrist DH
Longo 3B
Keppinger 1B
Francisco RF
Roberts 2B
Gimenez C
Johnson SS
Shields RHP

Noteworthiness: Ben Francisco, Chris Gimenez, and Elliot Johnson are getting position starts today over those who, uh…typically start at short, catcher, and in right. Fret not, Ben Zobrist will be on the lineup as the DH, hitting third. Evan Longoria will get his third start in a row at third today, finding Keppinger at first. The enormous waste of money and intellectual space, Luke Scott, gets the start on the bench. Of interest, A-Roid was reactivated this morning, and he’ll be in there as the Yankees DH. As always, Let’s Go Rays!

Rays vs. Yankees Series Preview

Okay, which one is Sabathia, and which one is Grimmace?

Coming off of a disappointing 3-4 road trip, the Rays are coming home to host the Yankees for a three game set under the big top. Tampa Bay was able to salvage the last two games of the Blue Jays series, gaining some ground against the Yankees who are ahead of the Rays by 3.5 games. To say that this upcoming series is important, is like saying that CC Sabathia looks like Grimmace. (Shhh, just don’t say it too loud) That is to say, the importance of this series goes without saying.

The Yankees have been struggling mightily of late, losing nine of their last 15 games, including two out of three at the hands of the Orioles in their last series. It bears mentioning that the mighty Evil Empire produced only eight runs in three games. The Yankees have been plagued by injuries of late, (see below) and have gone 18-18 since Alex Rodriguez broke his hand back on July 25th. He could be back tomorrow, but who really gives two craps about A-Rod, right? I know I don’t!

With 16 of the next 23 games coming against presumptive post-season contenders, the Rays find themselves in a make or break gauntlet of sorts. If Tampa Bay does well, they stand to make up a lot of ground against the Yankees and Orioles. However if they don’t succeed, it can be argued that they may as well count themselves out of their fourth post-season appearance in five years. In any case, it’s about to get real. If the Rays can continue to suppress the opposition’s offense while scoring five or more runs per game, things could get real interesting. Mind you, at this point last season they were nine games out, and you saw how last season ended. The Rays offense could be blossoming…and at just the right time.

Rays and Yankees starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Yankees at home and away, (respectively) and over the last 14 games.
  • The holiday series. Whether by design or coincidence, the Rays are taking on that team from the Bronx on a holiday for the third time this season.
  • The Yankees are just 24-24 since the All-Star Break, and 18-18 since July 25th.
  • When comparing how the Rays compare to the Yankees, (offensively, over the last 14 days) one thing is glaringly obvious: the Rays have been more productive in the span of the last two weeks. When was the last time you saw that?
  • Put this in your pipe and smoke it: In recent weeks the Yankees have just nine stolen bases. In the same period of time, the Rays have 23 stolen bases. Of the Rays, Desmond Jennings, Sam Fuld, and B.J. Upton have been particularly productive on the base-paths, with each stealing at least five bags.
  • Tampa Bay scored 15 runs in their last four games, with 14 of those runs coming in the last two games. Here’s to hope that they can use Saturday’s exciting win and Sunday’s nine run, 18 hit shellacking, as momentum going into this upcoming series and home stand.
  • True, Sabathia is 13-4 with a 3.40 ERA this season. He’s also 1-4 with a 4.03 ERA in seven starts against the Rays at the Trop.
  • Riding a wave of momentum, Tampa Bay racked up a season-high 18 hits in Sunday’s 9-4 win at Toronto.
  • Role reversal? The Rays are 8-7 in their last 15 games, averaging 4.2 runs per game. On the other hand, the Yankees are 5-10 in their last 15 games, averaging 3.3 runs per game.
  • Plagued by injuries you say? The Yankees currently have nine players that are either day-to-day or on the DL: Brett Gardner (60-Day DL), Mark Teixeira (Day-to-Day), Curtis Granderson (Day-To-Day), Andy Pettitte (60-Day DL), David Aardsma (60-Day DL), Alex Rodriguez (15-Day DL), Andruw Jones (Day-To-Day), Ivan Nova (15-Day DL). To be fair, Rodriguez (among others) could be reactivated as soon as this week.
  • How do the Rays hitters match up to the Yankees starters?
  1. CC Sabathia: The Rays have posted a .240 BA/.312 OBP/.429 SLG/.741 OPS line against Sabathia, with 32 extra base hits, including 14 homers. Key Matchups: Sam Fuld (1-3, 3B, RBI), Chris Gimenez (3-7, 1 RBI), Evan Longoria (13-33, 3 2B, 5 HR, 8 RBI), Jeff Keppinger (9-21), BJ Upton (14-51, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI), Ben Zobrist (11-51, 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI).
  2. Freddy Garcia: The Rays have posted a .217 BA/.250 OBP/.302 SLG/.552 OPS line against Garcia, with six extra base hits in 129 cumulative at-bats. Key match-ups: Sam Fuld (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (2-5, 2B, RBI), Jose Molina (10-26, 2B, 2 RBI), Luke Scott (2-4), BJ Upton (3-11, 3B, HR, RBI).
  3. Hiroki Kuroda: A limited number of Rays have faced Kuroda. Nevertheless, those who have have posted a .295 BA/.392 OBP, .432 SLG/.824 OPS line, with a homer and seven RBI in 44 combined at-bats. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (1-2, HR, RBI), Jose Lobaton (1-3, 2B), Luke Scott (3-3, 2B, RBI), Ben Zobrist (1-2, 2B, BB).

 

Rays vs Jays, 9/2/12 Starting Lineup

Well, the Rays started September off with a bang, that’s for sure. At least we can say they’re over .500 so far in the ninth month. Yesterday’s game was the first time in Rays history that they won by throwing out the tying run at the plate. The Rays are also the first team to win with a catcher tag play for the final out after losing previous game in the same manner since 1998, when Kansas City lost to Houston then beat Milwaukee the next day. There have only two games in majors this season to end with the tying run thrown out at plate. It’s nice to be back on the right side of history. Before I get to the lineup and Noteworthiness, check out the now infamous play at the plate below:

Click the picture above to see the video via the Rays website.
Rays 9/2/12 Starting Lineup

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Keppinger DH
Francisco RF
Pena 1B
Roberts 2B
Molina C
Price LHP

Noteworthiness: The newly acquired Ben Francisco will get his first start for the Rays in RF, hitting sixth. As a means to keep Jeff Keppinger in the lineup, Maddon has put him in at DH, hitting fifth behind Evan Longoria who’s back at third base, and hitting fourth. The Rays recalled Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham following the short outing by Niemann yesterday, where the relievers had to eat up 5-2/3 innings. No word yet on who else the Rays may be bringing up with the roster expansion.