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Rays vs Jays, 9/2/12 Starting Lineup

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Well, the Rays started September off with a bang, that’s for sure. At least we can say they’re over .500 so far in the ninth month. Yesterday’s game was the first time in Rays history that they won by throwing out the tying run at the plate. The Rays are also the first team to win with a catcher tag play for the final out after losing previous game in the same manner since 1998, when Kansas City lost to Houston then beat Milwaukee the next day. There have only two games in majors this season to end with the tying run thrown out at plate. It’s nice to be back on the right side of history. Before I get to the lineup and Noteworthiness, check out the now infamous play at the plate below:

Click the picture above to see the video via the Rays website.

Rays 9/2/12 Starting Lineup

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Keppinger DH
Francisco RF
Pena 1B
Roberts 2B
Molina C
Price LHP

Noteworthiness: The newly acquired Ben Francisco will get his first start for the Rays in RF, hitting sixth. As a means to keep Jeff Keppinger in the lineup, Maddon has put him in at DH, hitting fifth behind Evan Longoria who’s back at third base, and hitting fourth. The Rays recalled Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham following the short outing by Niemann yesterday, where the relievers had to eat up 5-2/3 innings. No word yet on who else the Rays may be bringing up with the roster expansion.

September Roster Expansion: Rounds One & Two

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The Rays have announced their first rounds of September call-ups; Reid Brignac (uhh, thanks a lot Sean Rod), Chris Gimenez (I’m good with that), Rich Thompson (ugh), and LHP Cesar Ramos (totally good with that). Update: The front office makes it official, Stephen Vogt and Dane De La Rosa have been called up, and will be here Wednesday.

Rays vs. Jays Series Preview: Part Four

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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 29: Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run homer against Matt Harrison of the Texas Rangers on August 29, 2012 at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

The Rays needed a win, and win big they did. Alex Cobb did not have had his best stuff, having to be pulled from the game early after posting a 4.2 IP/8 H/4 R/3 ER/1 BB/3 K/2 HR line. But the Rays, backed by eight runs, 16 hits, (including four homers) and a walk were able to power their way to a huge 8-4 win over the mighty Texas Rangers. Take that George W! All in all, the Rays had a great game, with most of the players up and down the lineup contributing in some way, shape, or form…with the exception of Ryan Tat-Man Roberts pulling an 0-fer, striking out three times, while stranding four on the bags. At least he’s got a good glove.

Two quick observations:

A) BA made mention of Ryan Roberts at-bats. More specifically, how Roberts steps to the plate with a home run mentality that doesn’t change as he gets behind in the count. I concur with BA’s observation. Perhaps Tat-Man should put more emphasis on putting the ball in play, especially when men are on the bags. Get ’em over, turkey! Oh yeah, dude can’t hit a breaking pitch to save his soul.

B) Earlier in the day Joe Maddon mentioned that he didn’t think that Pena should be used as a lightning rod of criticism. To be fair, 95% of the conversations that I’ve bared witness to have held Pena accountable for his production (or lack thereof) this season. That is to say that they haven’t directly implicated him for the Rays offensive woes throughout the season. With that in mind, Mr. Cheese McGee made an astute observation, “Pena sits, and the offense tears it up… coincidence??” I’m certainly not going to blame Pena for everything. However, Keppinger was in there for ‘Los tonight, and he did go 4-5, so…

The series preview is below. Indulge.

Rays and Jays pitching over the last 14 days.

Rays and Jays hitting at home and away, (respectively) and over the last 14 days.

  • How do the Rays fare against the Jays starters? Let’s see.
  1. Carlos Villanueva: The Rays have posted a .363 BA/.457 OBP/.638 SLG/1.095 OPS line against Villanueva, knocking out five dingers, while driving in 18 runs in 80 at-bats. Key match-ups: Desmond Jennings (3-7, 2B, 3B, ), Matt Joyce (3-8, 2B, BB), Jeff Keppinger (6-15, 2B, RBI, BB), Luke Scott (4-11, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), BJ Upton (3-9, 2B, RBI), Ben Zobrist (3-6, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB).
  2. Brandon Morrow: The Rays have posted a .206 BA/.328 OBP/.364 SLG/.692 OPS line against Morrow, with six homers and 18 RBI, in 165 at-bats. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (6-20, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (5-20, 2B, 4 BB), Jose Molina (2-6, 2 RBI).
  3. Henderson Alvarez: Tampa Bay has posted a .330 BA/.376 OBP/.543 SLG/.919 OPS line against Alvarez, with six home runs and 18 RBI, in 94 at-bats. Key Match-ups: Desmond Jennings (3-7, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Matt Joyce (4-11), Jeff Keppinger (2-6), Jose Lobaton (2-3, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (6-9, 3 HR, 6 RBI), Ben Zobrist (5-12, 2 2B, RBI, BB).
  4. Ricky Romero: Even though he’s had a spotty year, the Blue Jays ace has traditionally been tough on Tampa Bay, with the Rays posting a .179 BA/.312 OBP/.324 SLG/.636 OPS line against, with six homers and only 17 RBI, in 179 at-bats. Yeesh.
    Key match-ups: Evan Longoria (6-23, 3B, RBI, 6 BB), Jose Lobaton (1-3), Ben Zobrist (8-26, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB).
  • The Rays are 8-7 in their last 15, averaging almost five runs a game. On the other hand, the Blue Jays are 3-11 in their last 15 games, (including a rain out) averaging three runs per game.
  • The Jays are only three games removed from a seven game losing streak.
  • Jose Bautista and Jason Frasor are still on the 15-day DL.
  • Jeff Niemann will get his first start in some time on Saturday, after spending a significant amount of time on the DL following a broken fibula at the hands of the Blue Jays. Niemann put together some rather, uh…poor numbers in his rehab stint with Triple-A Durham. The tall RHP went 0-0 with a 7.56 ERA in two starts, striking out four and walking two in 8.1 innings of work.
  • Tampa Bay starts the day four games behind the the Yankees in third place in the AL East. They are also a half game behind the Orioles, who are currently clinging onto the second wildcard spot in the AL wildcard race.
  • It’s about to get real, reports DRaysBay. We concur.
  • The Rays are 9-2 against Toronto, with them winning the last five games between the two teams.
  • The gauntlet? The gauntlet. 22 of the next 25 games are against AL East opponents. It bears mentioning that the Rays are 27-20 within the AL East.
  • The Rays are throwing Matt Moore on the mound Thursday night. Since June first Moore has gone 9-2 with a 2.89 ERA, allowing just seven earned runs in his last six starts.

    • Rays 8/29/12 Starting Lineup

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    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.

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

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    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.