[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vih4Lq4d1-A]
David Price (5-1, 2.35 ERA) and the Rays will take on Grimmace (4-0, 4.15 ERA) and Yankees tonight in the rubber match of this three game set. This is the fifth time that the two have toed the rubber against one another. The fortune has fallen on the Rays side of things, with Price going 3-0 against the Yankees when opposing Sabathia. The Rays are 5-0 in those games. Sabathia is a tough opponent on any team.
Earlier in his career, he thoroughly tormented the Rays, going 7-1 in his time with the Indians. Overall, Sabathia’s posted a career 3.25 ERA/.240 BAA against the Rays, while Tampa Bay has a team .317 OBP and .458 SLG against Sabathia. He’s given up only 14 home runs to the Rays, while walking 31 and striking out 83. Yet, most of the hits, runs, and walks Sabathia has given up, have come following his 2009 acquisition by the Yankees.
And to be fair, Sabathia has a 9-7 record against Tampa Bay; a respectable record to say the least. Yet, since Sabathia joined the Yankees, he’s posted a 2-6 record with a 3.92 ERA. Career numbers that include the opening day 6 IP/8 H/5 ER/3 BB 8-6 debacle against the swarthy left-hander and the Yankees. Cough…lest we forget the Carlos Pena grand slam on opening day, cough. All this is to say, Tampa Bay has dealt Sabathia some pretty big blows since 2009, and can deal Sabathia another tonight.
Of injuries and Keppinger…
The Rays placed 1B/OF Brandon Allen on the DL with a right quad strain. Tampa Bay also reinstated INF Jeff Keppinger following his one day personal leave/time on the restricted list. The reinstatement of Keppinger gives the Rays another bat in the lineup that can hit left-handed pitching really well. Because of Allen’s injury, OF Brandon Guyer will stay on the roster for the time being. The starting lineup is below. As always, Let’s Go Rays!
Rays Starting Lineup 5/10/12:
Zobrist RF
Rodriguez 3B
Upton CF
Keppinger DH
Guyer LF
Pena 1B
Johnson SS
Gimenez C
Rhymes 2B
Price LHP