Series Preview: 6/19-6/21 Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Mets

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 19, 2009 11:48 AM EDT

6/19: Andy Sonnanstine vs. Fernando Nieve (7:10, FSF)

6/20: James Shields vs. Johan Santana (4:10, FOX)

6/21: Jeff Niemann vs. Mike Pelfrey (1:10, SS)

In a nutshell:

Nieve is meh.

Santana is Santana.

Pelfrey is okay.

How amazing does Saturday's matchup look?

SS Alex Cora

LF Fernando Martinez/Gary Sheffield

CF Carlos Beltran

RF Ryan Church

Be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue later in the day, as I answered a few questions there.

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Comments

We should take 2 out of 3

The Mets just aren’t that good of a squad at this point in time. You can never count on beating Santana though.

by matthan on Jun 19, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Except the series is on the road.

"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 Jun 19, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but the Shields throwaway road start is against their ACE

Check and mate

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 19, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I love how lazy you've gotten in these series previews. What happened to whoever did them before and was good at it?

Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 19, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Hey guys

Just wanted to stop in and say I hope both teams have a solid, injury-free series.

Oh, and welcome to CitiField. Zorilla, Pena, and Longoria might find the spacious confines to be a little much, but your pitcher’s will appreciate it.

That being said, best of luck!

Jerry Manuel...stop being....stupid...

by MetsGeek on Jun 19, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

I hope we hit 13 triples in this series

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m a regular over at Amazin Avenue and saw the Q&A. Since I’m going to tonight’s game, I figure I’d ask just what’s wrong with Andy Sonnanstine? Last year he was one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, but this year his superficial numbers look horrible. Is it just bad luck, or is his sinker staying up in the zone and getting hammered?

Somehow, a chain of events unfolded that put Steve Phillips in a professional broadcast booth Sunday night so he could rip Carlos Beltran. Try to explain that in any other terms.

by Greenpoint Ian on Jun 19, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

He's too hittable, doesn't throw hard, too white, and his name isn't Edwin

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

His walks are up. He gives up too many HRs.

He has been a little better lately, but he never had problems with the walk before.

"What the hell is a Labradoddle?"

by davelrogers on Jun 19, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

He's just awful

Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 19, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Riddle me this

How is Alex Cora starting for a Major League Baseball team? Part two how is he starting for a team with the second highest payroll in MLB?

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 19, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

injuries?

Jose Reyes is out. Also, the team is run by idiots who give Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo big money but pass on Orlando Hudson and Derek Lowe, so that explains the payroll.

Sigh, what I wouldn’t give to have a front office that can get guys like Ben Zobrist and Wily Aybar to fill in for injured players.

Somehow, a chain of events unfolded that put Steve Phillips in a professional broadcast booth Sunday night so he could rip Carlos Beltran. Try to explain that in any other terms.

by Greenpoint Ian on Jun 19, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions