Tampa Bay attempts to avoid a three game sweep at the hands of the Yankees tonight, in that monstrosity that they call The New Yankee Stadium. Taking the hill for both teams are two seven game winners, David Price and CC Sabathia. The Rays have dropped two straight, and six out of the last eight. They’ve also scored only one lowly run in 18 innings, while giving up 11. Call me crazy, but being outscored by an 11:1 ratio doesn’t REALLY sound like a formula for success.
Know what else doesn’t sound like a formula for success? Putting Elliot Johnson in the lead off spot, whilst keeping Luke Scott out of the mix for the second day straight. Ben Zobrist, who’s posting a .329 OBP/.377 SLG/.706 OPS line, will fill the DH roll tonight, hitting in the two hole. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Zo. However, penciling him at DH, while starting Sutton at second seems, if I may, effing crazy! I give up.
Rays Starting Lineup:
Johnson SS
Zobrist DH
Desmond “I was 1/2 the offense last night” Jennings LF
Upton CF
Rodriguez 3B
Pena 1B
Lobaton C
Joyce RF
Sutton 2B
Price LHP