Yankees? PLEASE. Rays in a smackdown!
The Tampa Bay rays traveled up to Gotham to take on the New York Yankees Wednesday night. The tone was set with 1 pitch, 1 hit and a homerun in the first inning to SS Jason Barlett. There was no looking back from there. The Rays beat A.J. Burnett like a rented mule, lighting him up for 6 earned runs, 9 hits and 4 walks in 6.2 innings pitched. New York plated 4 late in the 9th off Sonnanstine, but this game was not that close. Joaquin Benoit is quickly becoming a serious force in the pen.
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Here’s a quick photo of Burnett waving to the adoring New York fans as he was pulled from the game after serving up virtual batting practice.
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Evan Longoria had a hot bat tonight for the good guys, going 3-4 with 2 RBI’s. C John Jaso really got back on track with a 3-4 performance and he added a walk, 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Tampa was sluggish last week with the bats, but some Yankee pitching was all it took to get the bats catching fire. Tonight, the Rays had 15 hits and 5 walks. Just for good measure, Tampa added 6 stolen bases.
Rays starter Wade Davis was tough as well. While he did only record 5.2 innings, he had 7 strikeouts and 60% of his pitches went for strikes. Davis did give up 7 hits and 2 earned runs, but the Yankees came into the game leading in many offensive categories.
In a nutshell, Tampa had their way with New York tonight. I watched the game on the Florida Sunshine network, I couldn’t stomach the ESPN crew making excuses for their beloved Yankees. Joe Morgan was likely drinking by the 6th inning. It will be a rough day on Thursday at the ESPN studios in Bristol, CT. At least their beloved Red Sox eked out a 3-2 win tonight, but black arm bands and a somber mood will be the work format tomorrow.
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James Shields takes on Andy “Goat Eyes” Pettitte tonight, can New York withstand yet another smackdown? Who cares if they can withstand it, come on Tampa, administer it!
32 feet of pitching staff
As we continue to move towards opening day, I’ll take a look at the Rays starting pitching lineup today. It’s a young rotation but one that comes with a lot of talent and potential, not to mention high expectations heading in the 2010 season. Manager Joe Maddon said before the start of spring training that he believes the potential exists for all 5 starters to pitch 200 innings this year. That would take an extraordinary line of events to occur, but it’s not out of the question.
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James Shields (6′ 4″ 220- right hander)
Shields was 11-12 4.14 last year, but logged nearly 220 innings. He is a workhorse and rest assured that when he starts, you will get the innings from him. He was 2nd last year in innings pitched in the AL, in fact has been second 2 of the last three years. Shields has already been named the opening day starter.
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Matt Garza (6′ 4″ 215 right hander)
Garza joined the Rays organization via trade from the Minnesota Twins on November 27, 2007. In his first season with Tampa, he posted a 11-9 3.70 record and went on to win the MVP trophy in the ALCS. At the start of last season, great things were expected from Garza but his game regressed, as he recorded a sub .500 season. (8-12 3.95) Though, much like Shields, Garza had little run support last season. For the Rays to return to the post season in 2010, a strong year from Garza is a requirement.
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Jeff Niemann (6′ 9″ 260 right hander)
Niemann’s physical presence on the mound draw comparisons to Randy Johnson, but the comparisons stop when the pitching starts. Jeff lead the 2009 Rays in wins, recording a 13-6 3.94 season. A repeat of his 2009 season will be a great addition from the #3 spot in the rotation this year.
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David Price (6′ 6″ 225 left hander)
Price was the 1st overall selection in the 2007 MLB draft. While he did struggle with command of his pitches when he finally joined the roster, he does possess a fastball which has been recorded at 97 mph at times, a slider and a changeup. Price was 10-7 4.42 last year, but I believe he’s on the cusp on a 15+ win season.
The fifth starter in the rotation is up for grabs this spring. The Rays actually face a problem many teams in MLB don’t have, too much depth at the starting pitching position. Heading into Spring Training, it was widely believe that Wade Davis (6′ 5″ 220) who joined the squad late in the year from AAA Durham, would be the odds on favorite. He made an impressive debut with the Rays tossing a shutout and striking out 10 in his first career win against Baltimore. The first MLB pitcher to achieve such a feat since 1992.
Also in the mix is Andy Sonnanstine (6′ 3″ 190) and Jeremy Hellickson who was 9-2 with a sub 2.50ERA in combined minor league games last season. Hellickson appears ready for the big show, but will most likely start the season back at AAA Durham.
So, if the starting rotation is Shields, Garza, Niemann, Price and Davis, the combined height of the pitching staff will be 32 feet 4 inches. Perhaps the largest starting rotation in MLB today.
