Series Preview: 5/4-5/5 Baltimore Orioles @ Tampa Bay Rays

by R.J. Anderson on May 4, 2009 2:00 PM EDT

5/4: Adam Eaton vs. Scott Kazmir (7:08, SS)

5/5: Koji Uehara vs. Matt Garza (4:08, FSF)

While you were asleep, the Rays moved ahead of Baltimore in the standings.

Remember when the Rays exploded on Adam Eaton? Well, we've been the only ones to do so. Eaton is sporting a fresh 3.46 tRA and a 3.56 FIP. He's walking about the same batters as he always has in his career while striking out an additional two per nine. Even less amusingly is Eaton's swinging strike rate, which is back up to his 2005 numbers. Oh and he has a .408 BABIP. Yeah, uh, I don't know what's up either besides an increase flyball rate, which makes... well no sense as to why he should be doing better.

Uehara is [import joke] which means he's built better than [American car industry joke]. Seriously though, Uehara is getting 10% hacks and not walking anyone with a fastball that sits around 87 (Yes) and a split-fingered pitch that sits way lower. Uehara is primarily an outs-by-air pitcher.

So, the good news: we're facing the worst team in the ALE, yay!

The bad news: we're facing their two best pitchers so far, boo!

C Gregg Zaun

1B Ty Wigginton/Aubrey Huff

2B Brian Roberts

3B Melvin Mora

SS Cesar Izturis

LF Felix Pie

CF Adam Jones

RF Nick Markakis

DH Luke Scott

Thank Bill Bavasi for trading that monster Adam Jones into our division. Thanks Bill! The rest of the lineup you know. I hate these two-game series. It just feels odd.

Oh, and a playoff update:

Prior to the Red Sox series: 29% playoff odds.

After the Red Sox series: 34% playoff odds.

Let's raise those odds a little more with a series win.

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Comments

This absolutely, positively must be a sweep

by Raymondo on May 4, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Rays score 20 runs this series. 17 in game 1

In Play, Out(s)

by Top Gun Numba 1 on May 4, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

The *&#$ is wrong with you

(non-GDT version)

AC/DC + Tampa Bay Rays = Big Balls on a Budget

by Orlando Rays on May 4, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Such a weird schedule coming up

2 home vs. Baltimore
2 @ Yankee Stadium
3 @ Fenway
2 @ Camden Yards
4 home vs. Cleveland
4 home vs. Oakland

Three 2 game series, two 4 game series and one regular 3 game set.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on May 4, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

Who's in charge of scheduling

I told that Kraut a thousand times we don’t do 2 game sets. Shomer fucking Shavas

Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on May 4, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

ATTA BOY, DONNY.

If you will it, it is no dream.

by Suttree on May 4, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

As long as we're not facing Mark "RaysKiller" Hendrickson, we should be OK.

Seriously, I still can’t believe we lost to Mark Hendrickson.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on May 4, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Lurch works in mysterious ways.

by R.J. Anderson on May 4, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

High powered O's Lineup

But we will give them Kaz and Garza, which should contain their offense if Kaz is back to throwing strikes. We need to strike while the iron is hot too (metaphor’s anyone?). Baltimore is falling fast, and I don’t think they are as bad as their winning pct indicates. Take them out while they are reeling.

I think it is important to win both games, because the road trip to NY and BOS is going to be very difficult. I’d like to be 4-3 over the next 7.

by RayFanNY on May 4, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions