After accepting last nights loss to the Red Sox, I came to the realization that the Rays really did perform well. Price posted a 7 IP/8 H/1 ER/3 BB/5 K line, yet was rewarded a no decision for his performance. To his credit, Beckett had a great start start too, and the hype surrounding the pitching duel really lived up to the billing. As for the shot to end the game last night? If you throw any pitcher into enough high leverage situations, they’re going to give up a couple of runs at some point. Rodney just happened to be the recipient of a Salty homer to right-field following a 97-MPH fastball left out over the plate.
Onward to today. Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 2.73 ERA, 2-0 lifetime at Fenway) takes on Clay Buchholz (4-2, 7.84 ERA) in the rubber match of this three game series. Tampa Bay has done some damage against Buchholz this year. Though the Red Sox are 1-1 with Buchholz on the mound against the Rays in 2012, Buchholz has averaged six innings a start while giving up seven earned runs on 12 hits, and four walks. He has struck out 10 Ray batters in his two starts, however one only needs to look at his overall 1:1 K/BB ratio to realize that Buchholz gives the Rays something to exploit. Forget not that Buchholz has given up five or more earned runs in five of his seven starts this season.
Besides, look at the bright side; at least we don’t have to hear Dick Stockton call the game today. Really Stockton? Zobrist is the Rays injured third baseman? I wonder how hard it was for BA to not call Stockton out on the myriad of mistakes he made last night. This could be a fun one. As always, Let’s Go Rays!
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Joyce LF
Zobrist RF
Scott DH
Rodriguez SS
Sutton 3B
Rhymes 2B
Gimenez C
Hellickson RHP