The Rays find themselves (just barely) north of the border tonight for the first game in a three game set. This is also only the second night game of this very young season. Though this game stands to throw the Rays into a more, uhh…normal schedule, after what seemed to be such a weird mostly day schedule starting way back (ha) on April 6th.
Jeff Niemann continues the hunt for his first victory of the year, as he take the hill against Ricky Romero. Niemann has had okay numbers against the Jays in seasons past. He also has the games start time on his side: “The Big Nyquil” traditionally performs better in night games than he does in day games.
Also boding well for Niemann; the bigger bats on the Jays have not woken up just yet. That’s not to say that the Jays aren’t a dangerous team. At an average of five plus runs per game, even with J.P. Arencibia (.071 BA in 28 AB), Colby Rasmus (.088 BA in 32 AB), Jose Bautista (.206 BA in 34 AB), and Eric Thames (.250 BA in 28 AB) hitting well below where they typically should be hitting, lord knows that they’re still capable of breaking out of any slump they may be in. Cough, just look at “Youseless”. Niemann needs to drive his fastball down in the zone, and throw quality pitches overall. If he can lean on a well placed fastball and that killer spiked curveball, Niemann will be dangerous. If he can’t, at least Wade Davis is well rested.
On the other hand, Ricky Romero is a tough lefty, and the Rays starting lineup (below) reflects just that, with a lineup that includes only four lefties. Though Tampa Bay won the season series against the Blue Jays in 2011 by a record of 11-7, I wouldn’t say they owned the Jays by any stretch of the imagination. And, the Blue Jays have only gotten better since the 2011 All-Star break and the off season. In the end, I’ll be content with the Rays taking two out-of three, returning home with a 7-6 record Friday. But it all starts tonight in about an hour or so. As always, Let’s Go Rays!
Tampa Bay Rays (5-5 overall, 2-4 on this road trip) starting lineup:
Jennings CF
Pena 1B
Longoria 3B
Scott DH
Zobrist RF
Joyce LF
Rodriguez 2B
Brignac SS
Gimenez C
Niemann P
Side Notes: According to Marc Topkin, “Maddon says Upton doing so well “it’s not out of the question” he could join team in Toronto, if not “probably” Friday.”