RAYS (16-15) at Toronto (16-17)
by Patrick L. Kennedy
on May 6, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
in Games
Tampa Bay @ Toronto
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Pitching Matchup:
| IP | ERA | + | K/9 | BB/9 | K/BB | HR/9 | OPS | WHIP | G/F | P/IP | ||
| RAYS | RH A. Sonnanst. |
38.2 | 4.42 | 93 | 4.89 | 1.86 | 2.63 | 1.16 | .715 | 1.16 | 1.19 | 14.25 |
| TOR | RH A.J. Burnett |
37.1 | 4.82 | 85 | 5.79 | 4.82 | 1.20 | 0.48 | .774 | 1.61 | 1.44 | 17.41 |
RH Andy Sonnanstine-Sonny will make his first start as a solidified member of the rotation this evening in Toronto, and it will be interesting to see how he pitches given that tacit job security. He pitched well enough through last week for the Rays to give him the nod over Jason Hammel for the final rotation spot, but he still needs to prove that he can put up at least these numbers with some degree of consistency.
He powered his way into a guaranteed rotation spot by posting a 1.54 ERA over his last three starts. Rays Index had an excellent post up today in which they suggested that Sonnanstine is no longer making gratuitous use of the multiple arm angles for which he was so widely-known. Instead, he is using a more repeatable motion and using his fastball less, while using it more aggressively when he does throw it.
But if Sonnanstine wants to remain successful, he will have to improve upon his K:BB. His current rate of 2.63 is unacceptable by his standards, and he is striking out almost two fewer batters per nine innings so far this year. The good news for Sonny is that his HR/9 is bound to come down a bit from its current point. Despite the fact that his G:F has improved drastically up to 1.19 this year, his HR/9 is only .08 improved.
But the fact of the matter is, ultimately, that Sonnanstine will get roughed up every once in awhile pitching to contact. He simply doesn't have the fastball velocity or offspeed pitches to consistently win those types of contests against major league hitters. So it would do him quite a bit of good to start moving in advance of a regression in luck, and increase his strikeout rate or decrease his walk rate further. The 12:5 K/BB ratio he has put up over his last three starts will not continue to beget a 1.54 ERA, or anything like it, for a pitcher like Sonny.
RH A.J. Burnett-Former Florida Marlin A.J. Burnett faces off against the Rays tonight amidst a poor start to the year. Burnett, in the third year of a five year, $55 million contract, has walked 20 batters in just over 31 innings, while striking out just 24. You have to expect those numbers to improve over the course of the season, given the great year Burnett had last year in which he struck out 176 over 165.2 innings.
Perhaps something Burnett would like to stay the same is his luck. Despite his groundball rate falling to the lowest point it has been in his career since 2002, he has only surrendered two home runs thus far in the season. That's a HR/FB rate of 5.1%. That is bound not to continue, although I suppose it's just reimbursement for the 1.25 HR/9 over a full season last year despite a 1.84 G:F.
So essentially, with the line he's keeping now, Burnett will be terrible. He should consider himself lucky that his ERA is under 5 given how he has pitched. The obvious caveat is that his numbers shouldn't continue at this rate, since Burnett is far too talented. He did throw a shutout of the Red Sox over 7.2 innings last week, although he walked five in the process.
The fact of the matter is that Burnett will most likely rebound from how he has pitched thus far. He's a better pitcher than he was in April of 2008, and Toronto will need his arm to keep up in the AL East race. Let's just hope that the rebound doesn't start tonight against the Rays.
GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I'll avoid picking Sonny and go with Pena.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 5:34 PM EDT 0 recs
MVP: Hinske
I dropped him off my fantasy team so he is due to start hitting again.
by Dbullsfan on May 6, 2008 6:10 PM EDT 0 recs
MVP: Pena
Jays can’t avoid the Los(s)
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on May 6, 2008 6:50 PM EDT 0 recs
MVP - Aki
Manager Lou Brown (Major League) – “I got a hunch he’s due.”
by stpetelawyer on May 6, 2008 6:57 PM EDT 0 recs
That's a man's manager.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
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Come on guys`
Lets try not to make AJ Burnett look like Cy Young tonight.
by Dbullsfan on May 6, 2008 7:21 PM EDT 0 recs
Pena is the new adam dunn
either homer or strikeout it seems
by Jombari on May 6, 2008 7:24 PM EDT 0 recs
just woke up from nap
Cmon Rays lets win this!
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by SRQman on May 6, 2008 7:26 PM EDT 0 recs
that would be nice
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
May 6, 2008 7:33 PM EDT
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what happened?
why didnt we turn two there? Sorry, i am just watching on gameday
by Jombari on May 6, 2008 7:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Navi caught wells in a rundown
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on
May 6, 2008 7:36 PM EDT
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Yo! I am on my 30. What am I missing?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on May 6, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs
Not much. Barty up with 2 on, 0 out. 0-0 game.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:43 PM EDT
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3rd inning
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:43 PM EDT
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Thank you as always!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
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Barty with liner to left, 1o ut.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
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Well, that sucks... come on Aki!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:45 PM EDT
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3-2 count, 1 out, wild pitch moves runners to 3/2
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT
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0 recs
You know catches that? McDonald.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs
Are those strike calls as bad as they look on Gamecast?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on May 6, 2008 7:46 PM EDT 0 recs
Yes.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT
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Yes and Aki is not liking them.
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by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT
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I don't blame the man...
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:48 PM EDT
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it's all good he got a single
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT
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Well that helps
takes away double play.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on May 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT 0 recs
AKI KNOCK
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Woot 1-0 ball game
lets get a couple more.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:48 PM EDT
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Woo Hoo!
I loves me some Aki Knock!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on May 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs
I do realize that read the wrong way, that could be a "strange" comment...
Thank god I am around rays fans!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT
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You didn't say Aki Knob.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT
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And I never will...
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:51 PM EDT
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sadly....
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:52 PM EDT
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Aki knock right off on Aki's (bat) knob
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:52 PM EDT
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0 recs
we all know which bat you are really talking about...
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:54 PM EDT
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0 recs
Torre was jealous of the size of Aki's bat...
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:55 PM EDT
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0 recs
CC with a sac fly to right
Gross scores 2-0 Rays
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on May 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs
Woo Hoo...
Welcome back offense, we missed you in that joke of a ball park… called fenway…
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT
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Carl worked the count and got a sac fly, nice
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs
Aki scores on a BJ single. 3-0 Rays.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT 0 recs
Aki scores on a BJ single
3-0 Rays with BJ on first.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT 0 recs
Welcome back Beej
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:51 PM EDT
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good hit up the middle
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:51 PM EDT
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0 recs
There is the "Real" Beej
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on May 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT 0 recs
Depressing.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:53 PM EDT 0 recs
Carlos has been lately
He needs to get it together.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:54 PM EDT
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Come on Sonny
1,2,3 innning big guy!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on May 6, 2008 7:56 PM EDT 0 recs
Bah, just fair ball down the line, Gross holds his man to a single though with a good throw.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:56 PM EDT
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0 recs
Double Play time
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT
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0 recs
I had a serious talk with my friend last night
on how sports needs more mullets, staches and protective eye wear.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT
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Was it a one sided conversation?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:58 PM EDT
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somewhat...
it doesn’t help she is a girl who doesn’t understand it. I think it was great I was watching old clips last night and it was hilarious some of the stuff they had.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:59 PM EDT
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i think we need to turn back the clock on sports fashion
to late 80’s- early 90’s
by Albertrayon on
May 6, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
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that is basically what I was saying
it was great
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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0 recs
Lou Brown for president
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
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0 recs
Who would win in a footrace...
Toby Hall or Zaun?
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:58 PM EDT
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0 recs
Durham with a perfect game through 6
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs
who is pitching?
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 7:58 PM EDT
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0 recs
Ben Hendricson got yanked after one for whatever reason.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 7:59 PM EDT
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0 recs
RJ!
what are you doing? Don’t say that…
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on
May 6, 2008 7:59 PM EDT
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0 recs
Switzer is pitching against Durham now.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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0 recs
who they playing?
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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Pawtucket
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT
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0 recs
OH THAT'S NOT RIGHT
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 7:59 PM EDT 0 recs
THIS IS DAMN BS
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET SOME FUCKING RESPECT
My New Blog tracking my progress as a baseball player. Check this out if you wish, all advice, tips, and comments are appreciated.
by Cory Alexander on May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Beepton
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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I am back to work... thank you folks for the updates!
In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on May 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT 0 recs
cruel irony...Munter allows a single, perfect game over.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs
what the hell is going on
how is eckstein going to get a double on a 1-2 count.
by Jombari on May 6, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Canadian rules.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 6, 2008 8:08 PM EDT
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0 recs
Hinske hates the Jays
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
FACT
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 8:12 PM EDT
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Hinske stole third.
Hinske stole third.
Hinske stole third.
Hinske stole third.
Hinske stole third.
Hinske stole third.
I don’t believe this.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on May 6, 2008 8:12 PM EDT 0 recs
I wouldn't if I did not see with my own eyes
that doesn’t even happen in video games…
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
by SRQman on
May 6, 2008 8:13 PM EDT
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