Rays 8/29/12 Starting Lineup

Rays 8/29/12 Starting Lineup:

Jennings RF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria DH
Keppinger 1B
Roberts 2B
Johnson 3B
Molina C
Fuld RF
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness: Tampa Bay will try to salvage whatever they can of this three game series against the Rangers. The once red-hot Rays have fallen upon cold times, losing the last four games straight.

Joe Maddon has chosen wisely, leaving Carlos .188 BAPena, and Luke Scott out of the lineup. Matt Joyce, who strained his arm in last night’s game, won’t be in the lineup either. Joyce mentioned that his arm feels better today and doesn’t think it’s anything serious. He’s still not sure when he’ll be back in lineup though.

A Visual Depiction of Frustration

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Carlos Pena, 0-4 with four strikeouts.
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1-10 wRISP, stranding 10 on the bags.
  • Tampa Bay is now 1-9 in their last 10 one run games.
  • The Rays are first team to lose 4 1-0 games in a calendar month since the 1955 White Sox.
  • Dare I say that Matt Joyce’s muscle strain benefited the Rays offensively, if only for the night? I’m not implying that an injury (he’s listed day-to-day) is welcomed, or that it’s good that Matt Joyce is out of the lineup for any extended amount of time. However, Sam Fuld did go 3-3 and was the most consistent Ray at the plate. He never would have been in the game otherwise.
  • Matt Joyce noted that the muscle in his arm grabbed on a check swing, though he doesn’t think it’s serious. He was quoted as saying “it’s frustrating.” You can say that again, Matt.
  • Following an upsurge in production, the Rays have averaged 1.875 runs in their last eight games. Can anyone say regression?

Rays 8/28/12 Starting Lineup, the Adderall You Can Eat Edition

Rays 8/28/12 Starting Lineup:

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Joyce RF
Longoria 3B
Zobrist SS
Scott DH
Pena 1B
Roberts 2B
Lobaton C
Shields RHP

Noteworthiness: Evan Longoria is in at third base for the Rays tonight. Luke Scott, Carlos Pena, and Matt Joyce are also back in the lineup.

In other news, Rays prospect Josh Sale has been suspended for fifty games, for alleged PED use. Sale is the fourth player suspended from Class A Bowling Green for the same reason, “Methamphetamine and an Amphetamine.” News of Sale’s suspension comes on the heels of the suspension of three other Rays prospects, Ryan Brett, Charles Cononie, and Justin Woodall.

Finally, the Rays have confirmed that Sean Rodriguez has fractured his right hand following an altercation with Durham clubhouse locker. He won’t need surgery, and is expected back sometime in September.

Leslie Anderson, A Ray Sooner Than Later?

Let the speculation begin: Rays 1B/OF Leslie Anderson has been named the AAA International League postseason All-Star, leading the league with a .313 BA/.362 OBP/.462 SLG/.824 OPS/.331 BABIP line at Durham, with 14 homers and 21 doubles, driving in 55 RBI. It bears mentioning that Anderson also has a 12% strikeout percentage.

Ahem, not only does he put the ball in play, but he also gets on base. And Anderson drives in runs! Did I happen to mention that he’s a quality outfielder and first-baseman?

Could we see him get called up Saturday? Keep in mind, the Rays can expand their rosters to 40. That said, there’s still plenty of room for both Anderson and Henry Wrigley.

Discuss! Leave your comments below.

Of Injuries and Acquisitions

The Injury List

Sean Rodriguez: The Rays have recalled SeanRod, putting him on the 15-day DL.

Brandon Guyer: Out for the season with a torn left labrum. Guyer will need surgery for the injury. As of May 29th, Guyer has been placed on the 60-day DL.

Robinson Chirinos: Chirinos is unlikely to return this season.

Jeff Niemann: The tall lefty is listed as day to day after leaving the game Saturday with right arm soreness. The culprit: inflammation in rotator cuff. Jeff Niemann will be out indefinitely following 3-1/2 months on the DL because of a broken fibula. It’s unclear whether he’ll be back this season or not. The Rays haven’t announced any corresponding moves, though it’s been whispered that Chris Archer may be recalled this week.

Moving and Shaking

Will Rhymes and Albert Suarez: Both Will Rhymes and Albert Suarez, DFA’d last week by Rays, cleared waivers and thankfully remain in organization.

Brandon Gomes, Chris Giminez, Cesar Ramos, Reid Brignac, and Rich Thompson: With the September roster expansion, the Rays recalled Brandon Gomes, Chris Giminez, Cesar Ramos, Reid Brignac, and Rich Thompson from Triple-A Durham. Since they were activated by the September first roster expansion, no corresponding moves needed to be made to make room for them on the roster.