4/10: Seattle (4-5) at RAYS (3-5)
by Patrick L. Kennedy
on Apr 10, 2008 12:00 PM EDT
Seattle @ Tampa Bay
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Pitching Matchup:
| IP | ERA | + | K/9 | BB/9 | K/BB | HR/9 | OPS | WHIP | G/F | P/IP | ||
| SEA | RH M. Batista |
193.0 | 4.29 | 101 | 6.20 | 3.96 | 1.56 | 0.84 | .773 | 1.52 | 1.12 | 16.91 |
| RAYS | RH E. Jackson |
161.0 | 5.76 | 78 | 7.16 | 4.92 | 1.45 | 1.06 | .837 | 1.76 | 1.27 | 18.43 |
RH Miguel Batista, Seattle-In looking over Batista's bio pages on the Internets prior to today's game, I noticed something. Batista is 37 years old. I always thought Batista was far younger; he certainly seemed very young the first time I saw him with the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series. Regardless, when you look over Batista's track record, you see a long career full of generally average results. Batista was never flashy enough to garner much attention over the course of his career, but he has proven to be a versatile and steady pitcher over the years. In his long career, Batista has been a starting pitcher on a World Championship team, a 30-save closer, an all-purpose relief pitcher, and now he is back to being a starting pitcher with Seattle. Batista is probably one of the best bets among AL starters to turn in a mediocre season. In that respect, he is very similar to last night's starter Jarrod Washburn. In fact, the two threw almost the exact same number of innings and pitches per inning for a nearly identical ERA last year. With seven straight seasons of having posted an ERA+ over 100, Batista has proven to be respectable for what he is. His ERA+ exceeded 109 only twice during those seven seasons, but even as he enters into old age, his steady services and proven durability continue to be desired assets.
RH Edwin Jackson, RAYS-It seems like since the Rays acquired Edwin Jackson over two years ago, Mariners GM Bill Bavasi has been linked to trade rumors involving the pride of Neu-ulm. These rumors reached a crescendo this off-season around the Winter Meetings when the talk was of Jackson going to Seattle for 1B Ben Broussard. As it happened, the trade didn't go down and Broussard was traded by Seattle to the Texas Rangers later that off-season. So here we are in April as Jackson prepares to make his second start of the season. Is there any reason to think that Bavasi's interest in Jackson has waned? Probably not, although since an avalanche of injuries has befallen the Rays' rotation, the chances of Jackson being traded are probably smaller due to the lack of flexibility the front office has concerning a replacement. My position on Edwin Jackson is well-known. If we could get a halfway decent deal for the power right-hander, I'd personally take Jackson's luggage to the Mariners' charter plane as it leaves down today and bid bon voyage. Alas, it doesn't appear that will be happening, and the latest injury to Matt Garza probably means that Jackson isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
So with that reality firmly in mind, let's evaluate what we have. We all know the story of Jackson's track record. "Electric stuff". Poor walk rates. High WHIPs. High ERAs. Failure in the Major Leagues and Minor Leagues both over the last four seasons. If I could take back the time I took to harp on Jackson's shortcomings over the last two years, I could probably write my own novel. It isn't that I have anything against Jackson personally; quite the opposite. He seems like a very likable individual who seems to be among the most popular on the team. But I'm just not buying Saturday's start in New York as the beginning of a legitimate turnaround to Jackson's troubled major league career.
There is no doubting the quality of the performance that Jackson turned in at Yankee Stadium: I'll take six innings of one run baseball in the Bronx any day of the week I can get it. The fact of the matter is that Jackson gave the Rays a chance to win by battling and providing stability. His walks were few, his strikeouts were plenty, and it was easy to look at Edwin Jackson circa 2008 as an entirely new model. I hope for his sake, and the team's as well, that it is. Nothing would please me more than to see a good guy such as Jackson find success. However, one of the things constantly MIA in Jackson's volatile 2007 was consistency. He could not string together quality outings consecutively for the vast majority of the season, sans a period in August. If Jackson's start in New York is to mean anything in the grand scheme of things, it needs to be followed up by a similarly satisfying outing. He has the ability, as evidenced by his holding harmless the Yankees' vaunted lineup. Whether that ability will reach fruition is the question, and it is one that needs a satisfactory reply in the affirmative. Otherwise, the Mariners may want to hold that charter for one more passenger.
Starting Lineups:
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GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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204
comments
EmailComments
First!
MVP: Edwin Jackson
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Apr 10, 2008 12:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Bartlett
If I'm not too late.
www.lbacentral.com
by SeanDubbs on
Apr 10, 2008 12:56 PM EDT
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Ugly
Seeing as how parody reigns supreme in Rays Baseball, this line-up is going to put up double digit runs while Jackson pitches 7 shutout innings.
MVP: The Batboy.
by Vin on Apr 10, 2008 12:13 PM EDT 0 recs
but
we aren't playing the B-Jays, how can you pick Jesse Litsch
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 12:17 PM EDT
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Jackson
I don't really understand the bashing of Edwin Jackson. He's incredibly young and has shown fairly consistent improvement over the past year - ending last season in fine fashion. Even though he has games here and there (a lot at the beginning of last season) where he can't find the strike zone and gets hit hard, he is starting to consistently show that he can shut down opposing offenses as a fifth starter (when everyone is healthy). He seems to be the exact type of pitcher that, if traded, would come back to haunt the Rays. There is no way I would trade him barring some ridiculous offer.
by FanDisplaced on Apr 10, 2008 12:21 PM EDT 0 recs
...and has shown fairly consistent improvement over the past year - ending last season in fine fashion.
All of the bashing comes from complete disagreement with the above statement.
by Vin on
Apr 10, 2008 12:22 PM EDT
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Im one of the biggest E-Jax Fans
but, using the word "consistent" when talking about Edwin is not allowed unless it is prefaced by "in"
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 12:25 PM EDT
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not consistent performance -
consistent improvement - taking a broader look - he has generally gone from terrible to better. In his last twelve starts last year he pitched 6+ inning 8 times, gave up 4 earned runs or less ten times (4 twice), while facing teams like Detroit, Boston (3 times), New York, Cleveland, Toronto, and the Angels. This is compared to Sonnanstine who, in his last twelve starts, gave up more than 4 earned runs 6 times and lasted 6 innings only five times.
by FanDisplaced on
Apr 10, 2008 12:34 PM EDT
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and yes...
yes it is arbitrary when i used numbers and when i spell them out. completely arbitrary.
by FanDisplaced on
Apr 10, 2008 12:35 PM EDT
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His luck and therefore stats regressed to norm.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider
by R.J. Anderson on
Apr 10, 2008 11:12 PM EDT
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He's doing a great job of drawing hittable pitches thus far. He just needs to start connecting with those pitches.
by Vin on
Apr 10, 2008 12:26 PM EDT
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Damn
The 'Zaro is raking in Durham.
1.138 OPS in 6 games.
by Vin on Apr 10, 2008 12:31 PM EDT 0 recs
Isn't he hitting .4000 or something like that?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:38 PM EDT
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What's the deal on Perez
A long-suffering Astro fan, who started tracking the Rays because our teams exhange so many (mostly bad) players.
I'd never heard of Tomas Perez until Spring Training this year. He made the 'Stros 25-man roster as basically no. 25, but probably only until Kaz Matsui recovers from his, uh, troubles & rejoins the team, which could be as early as Sunday. However, Wigginton (see above comment) has a somewhat-broken thumb & could go on the DL, which might prolong Perez's ML stint.
Perez was on first last night (I think he walked) as the tying run. Michael Bourn smoked a double down the right field line. It bouced off the railing & the RF slipped as he fielded it. Bourn was streaking around 2nd for a triple when he looked up ... and saw Perez standing on 3rd. The base coach shouldn't have stopped him, but on replay it looked like it took Perez a long time to get there.
I guess the guy can't run. His career numbers look like he's not much of a hitter, either. Can he field? Far as I can tell, he only spent part of 1 season with the former D-Rays. How bad is he?
Astros fan for 46 frustrating years. Moving to CO in 4 years & maybe switching no. 1 team. I'm patient & loyal, but a half-century is enough. Cubs fans are nuts.
by maris61 on
Apr 10, 2008 1:51 PM EDT
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And weerree baacccck
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Apr 10, 2008 1:18 PM EDT 0 recs
Coffee and baseball...
Good Morning... !
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 10, 2008 1:34 PM EDT 0 recs
jackson looks good so far, at least on my online feed.
by davidsmarch on Apr 10, 2008 1:46 PM EDT 0 recs
agree
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:46 PM EDT
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knock on wood...
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:50 PM EDT
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HISNKE
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Apr 10, 2008 1:46 PM EDT 0 recs
Hinske Homered!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 10, 2008 1:46 PM EDT 0 recs
somewhere RJ is celebrating
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT
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NO
Hinske
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 1:48 PM EDT
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GameDay
Is all screwed up. They did just put up a highlight of CC making a diving catch.
www.lbacentral.com
by SeanDubbs on
Apr 10, 2008 1:48 PM EDT
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I think thats a late April Fools joke
we all know Sexson sucks now
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 1:48 PM EDT
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hinske
hisnke homered...mlb gameday is all messed up
by websterjtc on Apr 10, 2008 1:49 PM EDT 0 recs
I agree,
I had both ESPN and Gameday up... I had to X out of Gameday....
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:51 PM EDT
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they gave beltre a hit on that? Radio announcers made it sound like an error on Pena
by websterjtc on Apr 10, 2008 1:53 PM EDT 0 recs
How did they give Beltre a hit last inning
what happened to home field advantage?
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Apr 10, 2008 1:54 PM EDT 0 recs
what's home feild?
Isn't this a Yankees and Red Sox town?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:57 PM EDT
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Anyone got E-Jax's pitch count?
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Apr 10, 2008 1:55 PM EDT 0 recs
nice
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 1:56 PM EDT
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he mustve thrown 5 more pitches
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 1:58 PM EDT
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4BB, 6K
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:59 PM EDT
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Where?
Newark Bears?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 1:57 PM EDT
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Another K for EJax
Ichiro down looking!
www.lbacentral.com
by SeanDubbs on Apr 10, 2008 1:58 PM EDT 0 recs
hey the new comment system is kinda cool. don't have to reload anymore
by websterjtc on Apr 10, 2008 1:58 PM EDT 0 recs
its amazing
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 2:00 PM EDT
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jackson is dealing
jeez, 70 pitches through 5, 6ks. if he could cut those 4bb down he could really last and dominate.
by davidsmarch on Apr 10, 2008 1:59 PM EDT 0 recs
Wow
Ed Jackson was one of my favorite pitchers to bet against last year, but now he looks like a totally different guy. I don't like that Felice is calling more breaking stuff now - too much in my opinion - but I really like the confidence and command that he's showing.
Even the walk last inning was because he threw four straight off-speed pitches. He looks really, really good .
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 10, 2008 2:00 PM EDT 0 recs
Now...
If we can just get some Rays to put a decent at-bat together. Man, these guys will swing at anything.
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 10, 2008 2:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Aki's on again with a single
Let's go CC! Breakout!
www.lbacentral.com
by SeanDubbs on Apr 10, 2008 2:02 PM EDT 0 recs
too bad ed jackson has walked a batter pretty much every inning
by websterjtc on Apr 10, 2008 2:02 PM EDT 0 recs
how
is that too bad? It's too bad that he has given up a hit as well, I suppose. You're boy is on point right now.
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on
Apr 10, 2008 2:04 PM EDT
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ha
Was thinking the same thing. He has no patience up there and seems like he has no real plan of attack at the plate. Just throwing the bat at the ball right now and going after anything offspeed. I was actually typing this critique up and he got a single. Go figure.
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on
Apr 10, 2008 2:05 PM EDT
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i made a post on this a couple days ago
he is just swinging at the first thing he sees. He hasn't really made solid contact yet this season.
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 2:06 PM EDT
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Agreed
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 2:05 PM EDT
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come on carlos...
send a ball to the catwalks...
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 10, 2008 2:04 PM EDT 0 recs
one big hit
The thing is, the Mariners are looking for any reason to pack it in in this game. They have a big series with the Angels that starts tomorrow. If the Rays can get up 3-0, 4-0 then the M's would already have their heads on the plane.
HOW ABOUT ONE BIG HIT!!!
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT 0 recs
indeed
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
Apr 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT
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in more or less words...
Nice pep talk Doc.
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT
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wtf
when are b.j. and crawford gonna get their act together
by TLane82 on Apr 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT 0 recs
it's alright. It's still early in the season.
They have faced some awesome pitchers that make them look stupid. Goood players are good for a reason. They boys will be fine.
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
Apr 10, 2008 2:10 PM EDT
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It looks like
I'm watching a lineup full of Jose Reyes. No one on the Rays sees more than three pitches. Seattle's bullpen is a wreck, yet the lineup isn't working counts, working pitchers, and being patient. Instead they are just going up there and swinging at everything they see. Crazy. I just hope that it isn't 35-40 games in to the season before they realize how they are supposed to play because there is some talent here.
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on
Apr 10, 2008 2:13 PM EDT
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score
yahoo says the game is 1-0 mariners... this site says its 1-0 rays what is it? Sorry just got home from class and we dont get any games in tallahassee
by ams05g on Apr 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT 0 recs
Thanks!
I wonder why theyre saying Sexson hit a homerun then
by ams05g on
Apr 10, 2008 2:10 PM EDT
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as if that wasn't the biggest
jinx..
by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on
Apr 10, 2008 2:11 PM EDT
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I dont think its a jinx
if it supposedly happened in the 4th inning... thats it, im switchin to espn or something else thats actually up to date... what do you guys think is the best to use?
by ams05g on
Apr 10, 2008 2:12 PM EDT
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