The Rays will attempt to offer up a knock-out blow (of sorts) to the Yankees tonight at the Trop. The once mighty and untouchable team that’s sat atop of the AL East for the majority of the 2012 season has all but lost their dominance over the both the O’s and the Rays. The Rays could sit a half game behind the Yankees with a win tonight. Should any of us discount the potential power up and down the Yankees lineup? Of course not…they’re still dangerous. However, they are a team on the ropes, being held to six or fewer hits in the last five games.
That said, tonight should be a fun one, with Matt Moore on the mound. Moore had a killer month of August, going 3-1, posting a 2.19 ERA, while striking out 40 and walking only 12. That’s a 3+:1 K/BB ratio for anyone that’s counting.
Oh yeah, before I get to the starting lineup, (below) Bobby Valentine opened his yapper again.
Rays 9/5/12 Starting Lineup
Fuld CF
Jennings LF
Zobrist SS
Longoria DH
Joyce RF
Scott 1B
Keppinger 3B
Lobaton C
Johnson 2B
Moore LHP
Noteworthiness:Elliot Johnson at second? Oof. I understand where you’re coming from Joe, but Roberts can get the day off tomorrow…this game is too important. You saw what he did at third the other night, right? Maddon also mentioned that Evan Longoria needed another day at DH and should be back at third by Friday. A very hot hitting BJ Upton and Carlos Pena are getting the day off as well, finding Sam Fuld and Luke Scott in center and first respectively. Let’s stick pins in our O’s and Yankees voodoo dolls! As always, Let’s Go Rays!