DRaysBay: All Posts by Steve KinsellaA Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budgethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48753/drb-logo-fv.png2014-05-03T16:53:19-04:00https://www.draysbay.com/authors/steve-kinsella/rss2014-05-03T16:53:19-04:002014-05-03T16:53:19-04:00Rays Starting Pitching Woes Continue In 9-3 Loss
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ndPBGM5-Fk4635CimjhEsXKW8is=/0x119:4000x2786/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32504709/20140503_ajl_sh4_164.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jake Odorizzi fails to get out of the fifth inning. Yankees pound Lueke & Bell en route to 9-3 victory.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> were defeated by the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> by a final score of 9-3. The victory went to Masahiro Tanaka (4-0, 2.53 ERA) and the loss goes to Josh Lueke (0-2, 4.82 ERA). The Rays drop to 14-17 on the year and 4-5 on their current 10 game road trip.</p>
<p>The game went exactly as we may have guessed based on what we knew of each pitcher going in. <span>Jake Odorizzi</span> was solid the first time through the order retiring all nine hitters including three strikeouts while <span>Masahiro Tanaka</span> was not as good early as late giving up three runs in the first four innings he worked.</p>
<p>Odorizzi fell apart the second time through and was unable to make it out of the fourth fifth inning. His final line was 4+ innings of work three runs (all earned) on five hits striking out four and walking two. He departed with two runners on base and nobody out and had his line score was saved by the effective work of <span>Cesar Ramos</span> who held the Yankees off the board to end the fifth inning.</p>
<p>With Odorizzi not giving the Rays innings the taxed bullpen would be saved by turning to <span>Josh Lueke</span> who provided two ineffective innings surrendering the lead on a single run in the sixth inning and a pair of runs in the seventh.</p>
<p><span>Heath Bell</span> came in to work the eighth inning and allowed three more runs as the Yankees finished the day scoring nine unanswered runs.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Masahiro Tanaka settled in and delivered seven strong innings allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits striking out five and walking none. He was followed to the mound by <span>Dellin Betances</span> who worked a scoreless eighth inning and Preston Claibrone worked a scoreless ninth.</p>
<p>Both Jake Odorizzi and the Rays needed a quality start on Saturday afternoon. For Odorizzi the prospect of not capitalizing on the opportunity to secure a spot in the Rays rotation was staring him down while the Rays bullpen has been taxed an overworked due to the inefficiency of the starting staff.</p>
<p>Entering the game the Rays are 7-11 since <span>Alex Cobb</span> was placed on the disabled list on April 13th (left oblique strain) and their team ERA has ballooned from 2.55 to 4.26. In the 18 games the starting pitchers have pitched five innings or less in 13 of 18 of those games and have compiled an ERA of 5.84 (92.1IP, 60 ER). The group had only tossed 18 more inning than their bullpen (74.1 IP).</p>
<p>Odorizzi's last four starts have been against the Kansans City <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> (5IP, 7ER), <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> (5IP, 3ER), <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> (3.1IP, 4ER), and <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> (4.1IP, 4ER). Overall in these four starts he has a record of 0-3 with a 9.17 ERA and has allowed 28 hits in 17.2 innings of work striking out 18 and walking 9.</p>
<p><span>His biggest problems arise after the first time through the batting order. On the season he has held the opposition to .171 (7 for 41) average the first time though the order but the second time through the average increases to .444 (16 for 36) and the third time through it's is even worse .471 (8 for 17).</span></p>
<p>Masahiro Tanaka had been very successful entering the game making five starts and owning a perfect 3-0 record with a 2.27 ERA. In his 35.2 innings of work he had only allowed 27 hits and struck out 46 while walking just five. He had won his last 31 professional decisions (28 in Japan and 3 with Yankees).</p>
<p>If there is any blemish on his record it is the five home runs he has allowed and the opposition gets a quick jump on him posting a slash line of .286/.333/.476 the first time through the order.</p>
<p><span>Desmond Jennings</span> took advantage of both of Tanaka's blemishes hitting a solo home run that could have been a two run homer (See Doug Eddings missed ball four call on <span>Ben Zobrist</span> below) in the top of the first inning.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4399565/675_Zobrist_Ball_Tanaka.jpg"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4399565/675_Zobrist_Ball_Tanaka_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="675_zobrist_ball_tanaka_medium"></a> <br id="1399138224517"></p>
<p>The Rays increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second on a 2-out single off the bat of <span>Ryan Hanigan</span> that scored <span>James Loney</span> from third. Prior to Hanigan's single Tanaka had held the opposition to an .074 (2 for 27) average with runners in scoring position.</p>
<p>The Rays got their final run as <span>Wil Myers</span> led off the fourth inning with an opposite field home run that extended their lead to 3-0.</p>
<p>While the Rays were building their 3-0 lead Jake Odorizzi was continuing his dominance of a lineup the first time through by retiring the first nine hitters including three strike outs on just 48 pitches.</p>
<p>The fourth inning would mark the second time through the New York lineup for Odorizzi and a turning point from which the rest of the afternoon belonged to the Yankees.</p>
<p><span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span> led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and after <span>Brett Gardner</span> hit into a fielders choice erasing Ellsbury at second base <span>Mark Teixeira</span> delivered a two run homer to cut the Rays lead to 3-2. <span><span>Brian McCann</span> followed with an opposite field double but <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> sent a shallow foul ball to right that Wil Myers made a nice leaping grab of for the second out. After a <span>Kelly Johnson</span> walk Odorizzi struck out <span>Brian Roberts</span> to end the long 29-pitch inning. </span></p>
<p>The Yankees continued their assault on Odorizzi the second time through the lineup as <span>Ichiro Suzuki</span> led off the fifth inning with a double, <span>Yangervis Solarte</span> drew a walk, and Jacoby Ellsbury laced a ground rule double to tie the game at 3-3.</p>
<p>With nobody out in the inning and runners at second and third his afternoon was over and the Rays turned to Cesar Ramos to come in and try to keep things from getting out of hand in the Bronx.</p>
<p>Ramos did all that could have been asked for striking out Brett Gardner, intentionally walking Mark Teixiera, striking out Brian McCann, and getting Alfonso Soriano to ground out to short to end the inning with the score tied 3-3.</p>
<p>Joe Maddon turned to Josh Lueke to enter the game in the bottom half of the sixth and selfishly hoped that Lueke could somehow keep the Yankees off the scoreboard and get two or more innings out of him. It took just one batter for the first part of the plan to be ruined as Kelly Johnson led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to put the Yankees up 4-3.</p>
<p>He gave up two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on three singles and a sacrifice fly. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner each singled to lead off the inning and Ellsbury came in to score on a Mark Teixeira RBI single and Gardner moved to third and came in to score on an Alfonso Soriano sacrifice fly to push the Yankees lead to 6-3.</p>
<p>After his two innings of work Heath Bell came in and was not effective. Brian Roberts singled and came around to score on a double by Ichiro Suzuki. Suzuki advanced to third on a Yangervis Solarte ground out. With one out Jacoby Ellsbury drew a walk and stole second base to get into scoring position for Brett Gardner who singled to score both Suzuki and Ellsbury to put the Yankees on top 9-3.</p>
<p>The two teams finish the three game series tomorrow at 1:05. It will be a battle of lefties as the Yankees send lefty <span>CC Sabathia</span> (3-3, 5.11) and the Rays counter with <span>Erik Bedard</span> (0-1, 5.52).</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/5/3/5678208/rays-suffer-9-3-loss-to-yankees-as-odorizzi-falls-short-once-againSteve Kinsella2013-12-27T13:00:09-05:002013-12-27T13:00:09-05:00Rays Pinch Hitters Must Improve In 2014
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EabVJUUE67m3W2dplkH_pnrH72w=/102x0:3897x2530/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25767149/20130918_jla_sv7_709.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rays have led the league in pinch hitting appearances since 2008 and will rely on that facet of the game once again in 2014. The offense could use a boost with an improved performance.</p> <p>Gene Budig and Alan Heaps <a href="http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/587583.html">penned a story for the Wheeling News Register</a> about American fascination with lists and rankings. In their article they note that if you were to Google the words "Most, Best, & Worst Lists" you will get roughly 730 million results.</p>
<p>I would bet that most baseball fans enjoy rankings and lists as most of the best debates surround one or the other. I know I am no different from the rest when it comes to lists and rankings as I thoroughly enjoy them. One of my favorite past-time activities to get me from the end of the baseball season to spring training is watching episodes of Prime Nine on the MLB Network.</p>
<p>The show will take just about any facet of baseball and introduce a list of the Top 9 performers. Most recently I was watching the show on the Top 9 Pinch Hitters of All-Time. The narrator opens with this statement:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"One of the most difficult things to do in baseball is to pinch hit. Imagine sitting cold on the bench the entire game and then suddenly being asked to grab a bat and get a hit. Often in a clutch situation against a fresh arm out of the bullpen."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The pinch hitters that made the list had to "produce with that consistency over a decent period of time" and "they needed more than an iconic moment in a pinch hitting role." <span>The best pinch hitters in the modern era according to the Prime 9 list were John Vanderwal, <span>Lenny Harris</span>, Johnny Mize, Gates Brown, Jerry Lynch, Cliff Johnson, Smoky Burgess, <span>Matt Stairs</span>, and Manny Mota.</span></p>
<p>I started to wonder on a more regional level who has had the best individual pinch hitting seasons for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>. The following list represents the best Rays individual pinch hitting seasons for those with a minimum of 10 pinch hit appearances and sorted by OPS.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="444" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 334pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="130" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4754; width: 98pt;">
<col width="42" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;">
<col width="35" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280; width: 26pt;">
<col width="33" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;">
<col width="51" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;">
<col width="46" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="51" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;">
<col width="56" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2048; width: 42pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="130" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 98pt;">Player</td>
<td width="42" style="width: 32pt;">Year</td>
<td width="35" style="width: 26pt;">PA</td>
<td width="33" style="width: 25pt;">HR</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">BA</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">OBP</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">SLG</td>
<td width="56" style="width: 42pt;">OPS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Matthew Joyce</td>
<td align="right">2010</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.375</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.615</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.875</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.490</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Gabe Kapler</span></td>
<td align="right">2009</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.273</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.467</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.909</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.376</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Ben Zobrist</span></td>
<td align="right">2009</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.308</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.357</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.357</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Paul Sorrento</td>
<td align="right">1998</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.222</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.889</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.306</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Bubba Trammell</td>
<td align="right">2000</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.929</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.262</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Luke Scott</span></td>
<td align="right">2012</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.833</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.250</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Travis Lee</span></td>
<td align="right">2005</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.476</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.476</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.762</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.238</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Midre Cummings</td>
<td align="right">2004</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.444</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.667</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.167</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Robert Fick</span></td>
<td align="right">2004</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.412</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.733</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.145</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Sam Fuld</span></td>
<td align="right">2011</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.400</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.571</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.467</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.038</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Marlon Anderson</span></td>
<td align="right">2003</td>
<td align="right">18</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.353</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.389</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.588</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.977</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Russ Johnson</span></td>
<td align="right">2001</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.467</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.967</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Kelly Shoppach</span></td>
<td align="right">2010</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.444</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.944</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Bob Smith</td>
<td align="right">1998</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.364</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.462</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.455</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.916</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Randy Winn</span></td>
<td align="right">1998</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.462</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.878</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jason Tyner</span></td>
<td align="right">2003</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.364</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.455</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.871</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Eduardo Perez</span></td>
<td align="right">2005</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.250</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.400</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.438</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.838</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Russ Johnson</td>
<td align="right">2000</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.833</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Aaron Ledesma</td>
<td align="right">1998</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.833</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Willy Aybar</span></td>
<td align="right">2010</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.269</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.833</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Carlos Pena</span></td>
<td align="right">2012</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.200</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.833</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Steve Cox</span></td>
<td align="right">2000</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.440</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.381</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.821</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Terry Shumpert</td>
<td align="right">2003</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.167</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.389</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.417</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.806</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>Full List Available (</b><a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/qEvWG%20">Link</a><b>)</b></p>
<p>After looking at the Rays individual members I wanted to know how do the Rays do as a team when it comes to pinch hitting. Since most teams struggle with pinch hitting the data presented below represents how the Rays did and for perspective the data for the American League average is presented as well.</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 344pt;" width="456" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1243; width: 26pt;" width="34">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 950; width: 20pt;" width="26">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1901; width: 39pt;" width="52">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1499; width: 31pt;" width="41">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;" span="2" width="43">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1499; width: 31pt;" width="41">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1718; width: 35pt;" width="47">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: right; height: 15pt; width: 32pt;" width="42" class="xl65" height="20">Year</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 26pt;" width="34" class="xl65">PA</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 20pt;" width="26" class="xl65">HR</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 34pt;" width="45" class="xl65">BA</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 39pt;" width="52" class="xl65">OBP</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 31pt;" width="41" class="xl65">SLG</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">OPS</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">lgBA</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 31pt;" width="41" class="xl65">lgOBP</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 35pt;" width="47" class="xl65">lgSLG</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 32pt;" width="42" class="xl65">lgOPS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">1998</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">126</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.272</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.336</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.404</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.740</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.225</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.309</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.322</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.632</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">1999</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">66</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.143</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.273</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.523</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.236</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.326</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.344</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.670</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2000</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">114</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.263</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.342</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.384</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.726</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.344</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.357</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.701</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2001</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.194</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.316</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.284</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.600</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.225</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.311</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.362</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.672</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2002</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.279</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.367</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.419</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.786</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.215</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.298</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.327</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.625</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2003</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">148</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.226</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.329</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.708</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.239</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.329</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.356</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.686</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2004</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">96</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.209</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.277</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.314</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.591</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.234</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.321</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.700</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2005</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">118</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.309</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.402</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.443</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.845</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.226</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.320</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.327</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.648</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2006</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.225</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.304</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.324</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.628</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.204</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.282</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.320</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.602</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2007</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.159</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.253</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.217</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.471</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.219</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.303</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.331</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.634</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2008</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">131</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.186</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.298</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.301</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.599</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.322</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.367</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.689</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2009</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">138</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.160</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.268</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.361</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.629</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.208</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.297</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.324</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.622</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2010</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">173</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.245</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.343</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.422</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.765</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.206</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.304</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.327</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.631</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2011</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">137</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.257</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.382</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.319</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.701</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.216</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.298</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.319</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.618</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2012</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">154</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.185</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.281</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.614</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.206</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.289</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.338</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.627</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" align="right" class="xl66" height="20">2013</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">189</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.213</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.293</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.302</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.594</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.208</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.300</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.343</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">0.643</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><span>With Joe Maddon's roster utilization it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Rays have led the American League in pinch hitting plate appearances every year since 2008. Unfortunately in this period of time they have only performed significantly above league average in OPS duriing the 2010 and 2011 seasons. </span></p>
<p>In 2013 the Rays were slightly about league average in batting average (.213) but were below league average in on-base percentage (.293) and slugging percentage (.302). <span>Their pinch hitters seemed to do remarkably well early in the season. Through the first three months of the season the offense received a boost when pinch hitters were called upon hitting a combined .277 (18 for 65). </span></p>
<p>Unfortunately, like much of the offense in the second half the pinch hitters disappeared hitting just .121 (7 for 58) through July and August. The month of August was particularly frustrating as the team hit just .119 (5 for 42).</p>
<p>They finished September hitting slightly a slightly better .222 (10 for 45) and received their first and only pinch hit home run of the season when <span>James Loney</span> connected for a walk off homer against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> Tommy Hunter to win their last regular season home game of the year. The Rays month by month team pinch hitting data is presented in the table below.</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 300pt;" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;" width="37">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;" width="43">
<col style="width: 48pt;" span="4" width="64">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67" height="22">Month</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl67">AB</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl67">Hits</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">BA</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">OBP</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">SLG</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">OPS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">April</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">23</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">6</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.261</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.320</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.304</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.624</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">May</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">19</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">5</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.263</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.364</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.316</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.680</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">June</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">23</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">7</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.304</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.333</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.391</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.724</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">July</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">16</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.263</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.513</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">Aug</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">42</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">5</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.119</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.159</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.167</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.326</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="22">Sept</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 28pt;" width="37" class="xl65">45</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43" class="xl65">10</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.222</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.340</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.356</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.696</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The Rays have utilized the pinch hitting role more than any other American League team over the past six seasons and the roster will once again include players like <span>Matt Joyce</span>, <span>Sean Rodriguez</span>, and <span>David DeJesus</span> who will be lifted for pinch hitters late in ball games.</p>
<p>Right handed hitting Sean Rodriguez stands to garner a majority of the pinch hitting duties replacing either Joyce or DeJesus but he'll have to improve in his role after hitting just .125 (3 for 24) as a pinch hitter in 2013.</p>
<p>They will also need more from the left handed duo of David DeJesus and Matt Joyce as well. David DeJesus hit just .143 (1 for 7) in limited time with the Rays but struggled overall <span>with the Rays, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> hitting just </span><span>.083 (2 for 24). M</span><span>att Joyce performed slightly better hitting .185 (5 for 27).</span></p>
<p>The following table details the Rays pinch hitting performances during the 2013 season:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363pt;" width="483" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4717; width: 97pt;" width="129">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1974; width: 41pt;" width="54">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1609; width: 33pt;" width="44">
<col style="width: 48pt;" span="4" width="64">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl67" height="22">Player</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl67">PA</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl67">H</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">BA</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">OBP</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">SLG</td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67">OPS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">Matthew Joyce</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">30</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">5</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.185</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.267</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.259</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.526</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">Sean Rodriguez</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">29</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.375</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">Luke Scott</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">25</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">6</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.261</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.320</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.348</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.668</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Kelly Johnson</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">17</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.176</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.188</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.364</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Ryan Roberts</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">16</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">4</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.267</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.313</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.267</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.579</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">Sam Fuld</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">12</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.417</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Jose Lobaton</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">9</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.222</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.125</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.347</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Delmon Young</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">9</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">0</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.111</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.111</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">James Loney</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">9</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">4</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.500</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.556</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.556</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">David DeJesus</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">8</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.143</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.286</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.536</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Shelley Duncan</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">5</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.400</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.250</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.650</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-height-source: userset; height: 21.0pt;" height="28">
<td style="height: 21.0pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="28"><span>Desmond Jennings</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">4</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.750</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.417</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Tim Beckham</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.667</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.333</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Wil Myers</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">0</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.333</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.333</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Jason Bourgeois</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">0</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Jose Molina</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">0</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Chris Gimenez</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">2.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">3.000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22"><span>Yunel Escobar</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">0</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">0.000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 16.5pt;" height="22">
<td style="height: 16.5pt; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129" class="xl65" height="22">Ben Zobrist</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 41pt;" width="54" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44" class="xl65">1</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">1.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">3.000</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl66">4.000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/12/27/5246292/rays-offense-can-receive-boost-with-better-pinch-hitting-in-2014Steve Kinsella2013-09-20T15:00:08-04:002013-09-20T15:00:08-04:00The Fighting Showalter's Ready To Battle The Rays
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/llqZrsE9MHjG55lngPp6iTmX3PA=/0x180:4000x2847/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19855173/180912058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Fighting Showalter's won't be an easy opponent as they are only 2 games out of a wild card spot.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> meet in another September match up with a familiar feel to it. Last season the Orioles swept the Rays in Baltimore September 12th through 14th and were at Tropicana Field to close out the 2012 season as the Rays fell out of playoff contention after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> defeated the Rangers in game 160.</p>
<p>This year the Rays are holding a wild card and it is the Orioles who are trying to gain ground with one last gasp. <span>Chris Davis</span> remains focused on the nine innings in front of him:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"I think we know what's going on with the Rays, and the fact that there's another Wild Card team out there makes things more interesting, This is definitely what they wanted when they threw in another Wild Card. But we just have to go out there every day and focus on the nine innings in front of us and that's helped us the last few days, just knowing we have to go out there and focus on nine innings." - </span><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_20_balmlb_tbamlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=bal">MLB.com</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>David Price</span> is the Rays ACE and good teams depend on their best players stepping up in times like these and Price does not shy away from his role:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"It's big. If they come in here and beat me up, that has them feeling good going against everybody else after me, If I can come out here and throw the way I expect to, it might put a little doubt in their mind and give us some confidence. That's what we need. We need a head of steam. It's the team that's playing the best at the end of the year and we still have enough time to get hot. We just need to continue to play better." - </span><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_20_balmlb_tbamlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=bal">MLB.com</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Playoff Picture:</b></p>
<p>The Rays open the series tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> for the lead in the AL Wild Card. They hold a 0.5 game lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a>, a 2 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, a 3 game lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>, and 3.5 games over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>.</p>
<p>The Rays need one victory this weekend to capture the season series giving them a tie-breaker advantage with the Orioles. They also hold the tie breaker against the Indians but not against the Royals or Rangers. The Rays need one more win against the Yankees to take that season series as well.</p>
<p><b>Scoreboard Watching:</b></p>
<p>The Rays need to take care of their own business but their will be plenty of scoreboard watching over the weekend and into Monday's series finale.</p>
<p>The Rangers travel to Kansas City to take on the Kansas City Royals before returning home Monday to kick off a 4-game series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
<p>The Cleveland Indians will take on the Houston Astros in Cleveland over the weekend. The Indians will enjoy their final off day of the season on Monday.</p>
<p>The New York Yankees host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> over the weekend and like the Indians will have their final off day of the season on Monday.</p>
<p><b>Best Outcome</b></p>
<p>The best outcome for the Rays would be for the Royals to sweep the Rangers, the Indians to sweep the Astros, and the Giants to sweep the Yankees. Odds are against this scenario playing out but the most favorable outcome for the Rays would be to play the Cleveland Indians in the wild card playoff game.</p>
<p>Despite the second half success of <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> the Indians lack a true ace of the caliber of <span>Yu Darvish</span> or James Shields. Their lineup scored runs in bunches early in the season but have been marginal at best over the second half of the season and it does not include a Chris Davis or a <span>Adam Jones</span>.</p>
<p>The Rays and Indians meeting at Tropicana Field on October 3rd would be the best case scenario for the Rays.</p>
<p><b>Friday at 7:10 p.m. - </b><span>Jason Hammel</span> (7-8, 5.12 ERA) vs David Price (9-3, 3.42 ERA)</p>
<p>Hammel is returning from injury. He has only made two appearances in since July 28th. He worked 2-innings of relief against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a> on September 8th and made a start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> on September 13th. He worked 5 innings allowing 3R/ER on 3 hits striking out 2 and walking 1.</p>
<p>He has made 3 starts vs the Rays this season and is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA. The Rays have posted a slash line of .288/.324/.485 against him which includes 3 home runs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>***************GAME TIME CHANGE FOR SATURDAY******************</b></p>
<p><b>Saturday at 1:05 p.m. --- </b>TBA vs <span>Alex Cobb</span> (9-3, 3.02 ERA)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Sunday - 1:40 p.m. - </b><span>Scott Feldman</span> (5-4, 3.51 ERA) vs <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> (11-9, 5.23 ERA)</p>
<p>Feldman has been one of the Orioles more impressive starters since being acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> at the end of June.</p>
<p>He has really been impressive over his last 5 starts posing a 2-1 record with a 1.60 ERA. He has worked 33.2 innings and allowed 7R/6ER on 19 hits striking out 23 and walking 14.</p>
<p><b>Monday - 3:10 p.m. - </b><span>Wei-Yin Chen</span> (7-7, 4.03 ERA) vs <span>Chris Archer</span> (9-7, 3.03 ERA)</p>
<p>Chen has struggled his last 5 starts posting a record of 0-1 with a 7.60 ERA. He has only delivered 25.2 innings allowing 21R/ER on 36 hits striking out 32 and walking 10.</p>
<p>He has faced the Rays twice this year and is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA. The ERA may look good but the Rays have hit him well posting a slash line of .289/.333/.489 in the two starts.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/9/20/4751672/series-preview-baltimore-oriolesSteve Kinsella2013-09-13T13:00:09-04:002013-09-13T13:00:09-04:00Series Preview: Minnesota Twins
<figure>
<img alt="Joe Mauer is always happy to see the Rays." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RMQE-oxVMTIS_5RPReK7iuWoHNY=/3x0:995x661/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19462213/20120409_jel_aj5_357.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Mauer is always happy to see the Rays. | Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Rays will look to gain momentum before returning home for the Rangers, Twins look to play role of spoiler.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> in a 3-game weekend series in Minnesota. The Twins enter the weekend with a record of 63-82 and losers of 6 of their last 8.</p>
<p>The pitching match ups over the weekend are Chris Archer (8-7 3.3.19 ERA) vs Kevin Correia (9-11, 4.30 ERA) on Friday at 8:10 p.m., <span>Matt Moore</span> (15-3, 3.18 ERA) vs left hander <span>Andrew Albers</span> (2-2, 3.35 ERA) Saturday at 7:10 p.m., and <span>David Price</span> (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs left hander <span>Pedro Hernandez</span> (3-1, 5.25 ERA) on Sunday at 2:10 p.m.</p>
<p><b>Scoreboard Watching</b></p>
<p>Since the Rays are in the middle of a playoff push and both the Rays and their fans will be scoreboard watching let's take a look at who is playing where this weekend.</p>
<p>The Rays trail the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> by 2 games for the top wild card spot and the Rangers will host the Oakland A's for a weekend series.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> trail the Rays by 1-game and will travel to Boston to close out their season series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> trail the Rays by 1.5 games and will be in Chicago to finish their 4-game set.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> trail the Rays by 1.5 games and will be north of the border taking on the Blue Jays.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> trail the Rays by 2 games and will be in Detroit to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>.</p>
<p><b>The Offense</b></p>
<p>The Twins offense has struggled in 2013. They rank 13th in the American League with a 3.91 runs per game average. They have a 91 OPS+ and a 92 wRC+ and rank below league average in average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.</p>
<p>Joe Mauer has a lifetime average of .374 (64 for 203) against the Rays with a slash line of .374/.1468/.515). He used to tag team with <span>Justin Morneau</span> who had a career slash line of .299/.344/.545 against the Rays but Morneau has been traded to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>.</p>
<p>The table below represent the Twins hitters in the second half (Fangraphs.com):</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="491" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 370pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="117" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4278; width: 88pt;">
<col width="31" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1133; width: 23pt;">
<col width="45" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;">
<col width="48" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;">
<col width="46" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="36" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1316; width: 27pt;">
<col width="29" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1060; width: 22pt;">
<col width="43" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;">
<col width="50" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828; width: 38pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="117" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 88pt;">Name</td>
<td width="31" style="width: 23pt;">PA</td>
<td width="45" style="width: 34pt;">AVG</td>
<td width="48" style="width: 36pt;">OBP</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">SLG</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">wOBA</td>
<td width="36" style="width: 27pt;">wRC+</td>
<td width="29" style="width: 22pt;">HR</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">BB%</td>
<td width="50" style="width: 38pt;">K%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Brian Dozier</span></td>
<td align="right">231</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.254</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.313</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.474</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.340</td>
<td align="right">114</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">19.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Joe Mauer</span></td>
<td align="right">105</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.337</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.410</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.489</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.388</td>
<td align="right">146</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.4%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">13.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Josmil Pinto</span></td>
<td align="right">33</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.467</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.515</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.733</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.533</td>
<td align="right">246</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.1%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Pedro Florimon</span></td>
<td align="right">148</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.215</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.274</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.326</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.269</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">33.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Doug Bernier</span></td>
<td align="right">61</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.240</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.356</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.300</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.299</td>
<td align="right">86</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">13.1%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">21.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Oswaldo Arcia</span></td>
<td align="right">111</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.252</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.306</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.495</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.347</td>
<td align="right">118</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">32.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Wilkin Ramirez</span></td>
<td align="right">38</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.306</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.342</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.444</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.342</td>
<td align="right">115</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">23.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Chris Colabello</span></td>
<td align="right">139</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.205</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.302</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.393</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.310</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.5%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">30.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Eric Fryer</span></td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.047</td>
<td align="right">598</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Clete Thomas</span></td>
<td align="right">176</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.214</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.296</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.262</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">8.5%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">27.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Alex Presley</span></td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.340</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.380</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.468</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.372</td>
<td align="right">136</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">18.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Chris Herrmann</span></td>
<td align="right">133</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.188</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.275</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.316</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.268</td>
<td align="right">64</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">10.5%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">29.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Chris Parmelee</span></td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.125</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.364</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.125</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.269</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">27.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Drew Butera</span></td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td align="right">-100</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">33.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Eduardo Escobar</span></td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.250</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.173</td>
<td align="right">-1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">25.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">50.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Josh Willingham</span></td>
<td align="right">131</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.179</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.328</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.349</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.310</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">16.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">29.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Ryan Doumit</span></td>
<td align="right">161</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.239</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.329</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.352</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.298</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">20.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Darin Mastroianni</span></td>
<td align="right">31</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.214</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.207</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.210</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">29.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Aaron Hicks</span></td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.163</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.229</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.186</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.196</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">24.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Trevor Plouffe</span></td>
<td align="right">195</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.220</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.267</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.341</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.269</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">26.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The Twins bullpen has been a source of pride for the struggling team all year. They own the 4th lowest ERA in the American League at 3.33 (3.45 FIP). Former starter <span>Brian Duensing</span> seems to have found a home in the pen and has thrived. <span>Glen Perkins</span> remains as the Twins closer. The table below represents Twins relievers the 2nd half of the season (Fangraphs.com):</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="430" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 324pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="138" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5046; width: 104pt;">
<col width="28" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1024; width: 21pt;">
<col width="40" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;">
<col width="30" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1097; width: 23pt;">
<col width="22" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 804; width: 17pt;">
<col width="35" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280; width: 26pt;">
<col width="32" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1170; width: 24pt;">
<col width="37" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="138" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 104pt;">Name</td>
<td width="28" style="width: 21pt;">W</td>
<td width="28" style="width: 21pt;">L</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">ERA</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">FIP</td>
<td width="30" style="width: 23pt;">SV</td>
<td width="22" style="width: 17pt;">G</td>
<td width="35" style="width: 26pt;">IP</td>
<td width="32" style="width: 24pt;">K/9</td>
<td width="37" style="width: 28pt;">BB/9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brian Duensing</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.57</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.81</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Anthony Swarzak</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.67</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.83</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">32.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jared Burton</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.29</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.34</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Caleb Thielbar</span></td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.06</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.16</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">17.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.6</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Josh Roenicke</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.19</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.41</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">19.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">8.4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Glen Perkins</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.52</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.61</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">23</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Shairon Martis</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.55</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">13.5</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jamey Carroll</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.05</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Michael Tonkin</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.05</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Ryan Pressly</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.55</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.24</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">27.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Casey Fien</span></td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">5.79</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.55</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">18.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cole DeVries</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">9.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">9.38</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Starters </b></p>
<p><b> Kevin Correia</b></p>
<p>Correia is your typical on or off starter. Over his last 5 games he has posted a 1-3 record with an ERA of 3.18. He has worked 34 innings and has allowed 36 hits striking out 17 and walking 7.</p>
<p>He faced the Rays at Tropicana Field on July 10th and took a no decision in a 4-3 Rays victory. He worked 5.1 innings allowing 3R/ER on 5 hits striking out 6 and walking 5.</p>
<p>Correia struggles against left handed batters. They post a slash line against him of .302/.350/.478.</p>
<p><b>Andrew Albers</b></p>
<p>The Left Handed Albers has been a nice story for the Twins in 2013. He was signed as a minor league free agent prior to the 2011 season. He spent most of this season with the Rochester Red Wings posting a record of 11-5 with a 2.86 ERA with a strike out rate of 7.9 K/9 and a walk rate of 2.2 BB/9.</p>
<p>He has made 7 starts for the Twins since being called up and has posted a record of 2-2 with a 3.35 ERA. Three of his 7 starts have been scoreless outings.</p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA and has only worked 28.1 innings but in his last start he held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> scoreless over 7 innings on 4 hits striking out 5 and walking 0.</p>
<p><b>Pedro Hernandez</b></p>
<p>The left handed Hernandez was one of the players acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a> last year. He made 10 starts between the Double A New Britain Rock Cats and the Triple A Rochester Red Wings posting a 3-3 record with a 3.66 ERA.</p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he has posted a record of 2-1 with a 4.62 ERA. He has worked 25.1 innings allowing 32 hits striking out 14 and walking 8.</p>
<p>He seems to throw a lot of pitches in a short amount of time. His longest outing of the year is only 6 innings and his season high pitch count is 107.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/9/13/4726314/series-preview-minnesota-twinsSteve Kinsella2013-09-06T13:30:07-04:002013-09-06T13:30:07-04:00Seattle Mariners Looking To Finish Season Strong
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OCEaU0wCP1FFyEzMQecJX7ocRDU=/146x0:3854x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19054517/167225242.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Rays try to finish 10-game West Coast swing on a positive note against the Seattle Mariners.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> will head to Seattle to take on the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a> who have lost 25 of their last 40 games and are 63-77 on the year. Like the Rays the Mariners are having difficulty hitting with runners in scoring position hitting just .100 (5 for 50) over their last 5 games.</p>
<p>The Rays caught a break as the Mariners have elected to skip <span>Felix Hernandez</span> who left his start Monday with a stiff back. On Friday at 10:10 p.m. <span>Alex Cobb</span> (8-3, 2.82 ERA) will face <span>Hisashi Iwakuma</span> (12-6, 2.92 ERA), Saturday at 9:10 p.m <span>Chris Archer</span> (8-6, 3.14 ERA) will take on left hander <span>James Paxton</span> making his major league debut. On Sunday at 4:10 p.m. <span>Matt Moore</span> (15-3, 3.27 ERA) will tak eon Erasmo Ramirez (5-1, 5.07 ERA).</p>
<p><b>The Bullpen</b></p>
<p>The Mariners bullpen leads all of major league baseball in K/9 at 9.74. <span>Danny Farquhar</span> ranks 3rd (13.50), <span>Oliver Perez</span> ranks 7th at 12.73, and <span>Charlie Furbush</span> ranks 12th at 11.62.</p>
<p><span>Carter Capps</span> has inherited 22 runners and only allowed 2 to score giving him the 4th best strand rate at 90.9% (minimum 20 inherited runners).</p>
<p>The data below represents the Mariners bullpen in the 2nd half:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 410pt;" width="543" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4425; width: 91pt;" width="121">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1060; width: 22pt;" width="29">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1097; width: 23pt;" width="30">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1024; width: 21pt;" width="28">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1499; width: 31pt;" width="41">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1609; width: 33pt;" width="44">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1316; width: 27pt;" width="36">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;" width="37">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;" width="48">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 91pt;" width="121" height="20">Name</td>
<td style="width: 22pt;" width="29">W</td>
<td style="width: 23pt;" width="30">L</td>
<td style="width: 21pt;" width="28">SV</td>
<td style="width: 31pt;" width="41">ERA</td>
<td style="width: 33pt;" width="44">FIP</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">IP</td>
<td style="width: 27pt;" width="36">K/9</td>
<td style="width: 28pt;" width="37">BB/9</td>
<td style="width: 36pt;" width="48">LOB%</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">GB%</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">HR/FB</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Mariners</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">4.32</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">3.62</td>
<td align="right">146</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">9.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">71.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">44.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">10.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Danny Farquhar</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">1.88</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.91</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">13.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">73.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">36.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Charlie Furbush</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">2.41</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">2.72</td>
<td align="right">18.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">9.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">70.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">35.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">5.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Carter Capps</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">2.35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">2.39</td>
<td align="right">15.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">9.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">76.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">51.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">11.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Lucas Luetge</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">3.06</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">3.38</td>
<td align="right">17.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">6.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">76.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">49.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Erasmo Ramirez</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">5.40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">1.84</td>
<td align="right">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">66.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">57.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Tom Wilhelmsen</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">6.43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">4.04</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">6.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">64.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">52.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Bobby LaFromboise</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">81.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">6.04</td>
<td align="right">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">27.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">27.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">33.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Oliver Perez</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">10.97</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">4.45</td>
<td align="right">10.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">13.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">56.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">31.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">11.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Chance Ruffin</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">5.40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">7.24</td>
<td align="right">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">16.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">100.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">33.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">50.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Hector Noesi</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">10.80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">11.44</td>
<td align="right">3.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">62.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">27.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">33.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brandon Maurer</span></td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">6.64</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">5.15</td>
<td align="right">20.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">8.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">68.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">50.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">15.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Yoervis Medina</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">2.84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">4.89</td>
<td align="right">25.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">10.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">92.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">48.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">19.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Offense</b></p>
<p>Heading into yesterday's game against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> the Mariners were struggling on their road trip hitting just .230 (55 for 239) scoring just 23 runs.</p>
<p>The data below represents the Mariners offense in the 2nd half:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 433pt;" width="574" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5339; width: 110pt;" width="146">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;" width="33">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1792; width: 37pt;" span="4" width="49">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1499; width: 31pt;" width="41">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;" span="2" width="33">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1718; width: 35pt;" width="47">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 110pt;" width="146" height="20">Name</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">PA</td>
<td style="width: 37pt;" width="49">AVG</td>
<td style="width: 37pt;" width="49">OBP</td>
<td style="width: 37pt;" width="49">SLG</td>
<td style="width: 37pt;" width="49">wOBA</td>
<td style="width: 31pt;" width="41">wRC+</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">HR</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">RBI</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">BB%</td>
<td style="width: 35pt;" width="47">K%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Mike Zunino</span></td>
<td align="right">29</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.273</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.448</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.455</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.405</td>
<td align="right">159</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">24.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">27.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Dustin Ackley</span></td>
<td align="right">133</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.328</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.356</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.480</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.362</td>
<td align="right">130</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">16.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Michael Saunders</span></td>
<td align="right">128</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.359</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.417</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.343</td>
<td align="right">117</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">14.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">22.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Kyle Seager</span></td>
<td align="right">189</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.257</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.339</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.425</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.338</td>
<td align="right">113</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">19.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Kendrys Morales</span></td>
<td align="right">182</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.277</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.335</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.404</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.325</td>
<td align="right">104</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">18.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brad Miller</span></td>
<td align="right">199</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.266</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.317</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.413</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.320</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Justin Smoak</span></td>
<td align="right">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.216</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.312</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.372</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.306</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">25.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Franklin Gutierrez</span></td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.207</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.233</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.448</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">20.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Raul Ibanez</span></td>
<td align="right">135</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.225</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.311</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.317</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.286</td>
<td align="right">78</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">27.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Humberto Quintero</span></td>
<td align="right">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.238</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.273</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.349</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.275</td>
<td align="right">70</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">19.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Nick Franklin</span></td>
<td align="right">164</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.176</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.345</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.264</td>
<td align="right">63</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">34.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Abraham Almonte</span></td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.235</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.235</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.231</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">35.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brendan Ryan</span></td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.172</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.241</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.227</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">15.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Endy Chavez</span></td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.225</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.221</td>
<td align="right">33</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Michael Morse</span></td>
<td align="right">80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.158</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.200</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.289</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.217</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">28.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Henry Blanco</span></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.117</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.197</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.206</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">7.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">24.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Starting Pitchers</b></p>
<p><b>Hisashi Iwakuma</b></p>
<p>Iwakuma ranks 5th in the American League <span>with a 2.92 ERA, 4th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.69) and 2nd in WHIP (1.02). </span><span>Over his last 5 starts he has posted a record of 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA. He has worked 33.2 innings allowing 33 hits striking out 29 and walking 8.</span></p>
<p>He last faced the Rays on July 20th of last season taking a no decision after allowing 2R/ER on 6 hits striking out 7 and walking 1.</p>
<p><b>James Paxton</b></p>
<p>Paxton is making his major league debut. He was the 87th ranked prospect on Baseball America's Top 100 prospect list prior to the season. He went 8-11 with a 4.48 ERA with a strikeout rate of 8.1 K/9 and a walk rate of 3.6 BB/9.</p>
<p><b>Erasmo Ramirez</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts Ramirez has posted a record of 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA. He has worked 31 innings allowing 30 hits striking out 24 and walking 9. He has allowed 6 home runs in that span of time.</p>
<p>He last faced the Rays back on August 13th at Tropicana Field and allowed 4R/ER on 7 hits in 5.1 innings earning the victory in a 5-4 Mariners win.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/9/6/4700134/series-preview-seattle-marinersSteve Kinsella2013-08-30T13:00:20-04:002013-08-30T13:00:20-04:00Rays Looking To Gain Momentum Back
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MBrR7wMau35yvIzfDN9vUQreaCk=/0x16:4000x2683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18683137/167513461.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rays will take on an A's team looking to rebound after a crushing loss in their finale against the Tigers. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> are heating up just in time for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> to arrive in town for a 3-day weekend series. Prior to taking 3 out of 4 from the AL Central leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> the Athletics were struggling post All-Star break with a record of 16-18 and had lost 6 out of 9 series in that span. This was a stark contrast to the Oakland A's team that went 56-39 prior to the All Star break.</p>
<p>The A's currently trail the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> by 3 games in the AL West and they hold the 2nd wild card spot 1/2 game behind the Tampa Bay Rays and 3.5 games ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> and 4 games ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a>.</p>
<p>The pitching matchups:</p>
<p>Friday 10:05 p.m. David Price (8-5, 3.28 ERA) vs Jarrod Parker (10-6, 3.58 ERA)</p>
<p>Saturday 9:05 p.m. <span>Alex Cobb</span> (8-2, 2.87 ERA) vs <span>Sonny Gray</span> (1-2, 3.18 ERA)</p>
<p>Sunday 4:05 p.m. Probable (Roberto Hernandez [6-13, 4.95 ERA]) vs <span>A.J. Griffin</span> (11-9, 3.94 ERA)</p>
<p>The Rays have had to deal with some tough losses of late and have been able to rebound quickly. The A's will try to rebound from a heart breaking loss to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon. They were 1-out away from sweeping the Detroit Tigers, handing <span>Max Scherzer</span> his second loss, and enjoying the 3-hour plane ride home on a euphoric high but then a hanging slider was deposited in the right field stands by Torri Hunter to give the Tigers the 7-6 walk off victory. The Tigers had put 4 runs on the board against the normally reliable <span>Grant Balfour</span> who said of his outing after the game:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"I felt terrible today," he said. "I don't know what it was. I had nothing. I didn't have a good fastball. I didn't have a breaking ball. I went out there with nothing, to be honest. I knew that warming up in the 'pen. It's not a good lineup to go out there when you got nothing. You gotta figure out a way. I just kept cutting the ball. I was fighting myself out there." - </span><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_08_29_oakmlb_detmlb_1&mode=wrap#gid=2013_08_29_oakmlb_detmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=oak" target="_blank">MBL.com</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>The Bullpen</b></p>
<p>The A's bullpen has been reliable over the course of the season but has shown a few cracks in the 2nd half with Balfour outing versus the Tigers being an example. The A's are 24-17 in 1-run games which ties them for the most 1-run wins in the major leagues. The A's bullpen relies on the opposition putting the ball in play. On the year the A's bullpen has issued a major league leading low of 120 walks and have the fewest strikeouts 333 in the American League.</p>
<p>Grant Balfour (CL), <span>Ryan Cook</span>, Sean Doolitlle (LHP), Danny Otero, <span>Jerry Blevins</span> (LHP), Brett Anderson (LHP), & <span>Jesse Chavez</span>.</p>
<p>If the name Jesse Chavez looks familiar its because that is the same Jesse Chavez that was shipped to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> to acquire <span>Rafael Soriano</span> in the winter of 2009.</p>
<p>The following table represents the performance of the A's bullpen since the All-Star break:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 393pt;" width="518" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3584; width: 74pt;" width="98">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 914; width: 19pt;" width="25">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 804; width: 17pt;" width="22">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 914; width: 19pt;" width="25">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1389; width: 29pt;" width="38">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;" span="2" width="33">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1389; width: 29pt;" width="38">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1316; width: 27pt;" width="36">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;" width="37">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;" width="46">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-height-source: userset; height: 15.75pt;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 74pt;" width="98" height="21">Name</td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25">W</td>
<td style="width: 17pt;" width="22">L</td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25">SV</td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="38">IP</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">ERA</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">FIP</td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="38">K/9</td>
<td style="width: 27pt;" width="36">BB/9</td>
<td style="width: 28pt;" width="37">HR/9</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">LOB%</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">GB%</td>
<td style="width: 35pt;" width="46">HR/FB</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Athletics</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">107</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.26</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.53</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.93</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">72.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">41.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">8.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Grant Balfour</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">12.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.19</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">13.14</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.65</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">71.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">29.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">9.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Ryan Cook</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">15.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">1.72</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.03</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.04</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.87</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.57</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">83.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">56.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">10.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Dan Otero</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">19.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.46</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.32</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">1.83</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">88.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">58.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Jesse Chavez</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">15.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6.32</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.65</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">10.34</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">60.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">42.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Sean Doolittle</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">13.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.61</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.56</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.63</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.66</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">68.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">23.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">5.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Jerry Blevins</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">15.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.93</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.80</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.93</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">1.17</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">65.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">25.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">10.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Brett Anderson</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.37</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">40.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">53.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>On The Shelf:</b></p>
<p>Former Rays Catcher <span>John Jaso</span> is on the 15 day disabled list as he recovers from concussion like symptoms. Their other primary catcher Derek Norris is out with a fractured toe. Outfielder <span>Josh Reddick</span> is out with a sprained wrist.</p>
<p><b>The Offense:</b></p>
<p>The A's offense has averaged 4.47 runs/game in the second half of the season. The offense has been led by Brandon Moss who in the second half of the season has belted 9 home runs and posted a slash line of .309/.377/.609 and a wRC+ of 172.</p>
<p>The A"s, like the Rays, use pinch hitters a lot. The Rays pinch hitters have the most plate appearances (133) in the American League and are hitting .205 which is slightly below league average for pinch hitters (.207). The A"s pinch hitter have the 2nd most pinch hitting plate appearances (130) and have the leagues second lowest batting average (.143), the most strikeouts (35), but do rank 2nd in the AL behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> with 4 home runs.</p>
<p>The following table details the A's offense in the second half.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="570" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 427pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="112" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4096; width: 84pt;">
<col width="40" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;">
<col width="51" span="3" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;">
<col width="49" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1792; width: 37pt;">
<col width="48" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;">
<col width="35" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280; width: 26pt;">
<col width="47" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1718; width: 35pt;">
<col width="46" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="40" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="112" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 84pt;">Name</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">PA</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">AVG</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">OBP</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">SLG</td>
<td width="49" style="width: 37pt;">wOBA</td>
<td width="48" style="width: 36pt;">wRC+</td>
<td width="35" style="width: 26pt;">HR</td>
<td width="47" style="width: 35pt;">BB%</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">K%</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">WAR</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Athletics</td>
<td align="right">1438</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.254</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.323</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.426</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.328</td>
<td align="right">109</td>
<td align="right">44</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">8.70%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">18.8%</td>
<td align="right">6.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">John Jaso (DL)</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.300</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.563</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.700</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.524</td>
<td align="right">243</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">37.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">12.5%</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Derek Norris (DL)</td>
<td align="right">46</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.341</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.413</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.610</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.441</td>
<td align="right">186</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">8.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">21.7%</td>
<td align="right">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brandon Moss</td>
<td align="right">122</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.309</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.377</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.609</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.421</td>
<td align="right">172</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">9.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">18.9%</td>
<td align="right">1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Nate Freiman</span></td>
<td align="right">46</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.350</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.413</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.550</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.415</td>
<td align="right">168</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">8.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">6.5%</td>
<td align="right">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Alberto Callaspo</span></td>
<td align="right">84</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.306</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.393</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.431</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.365</td>
<td align="right">134</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">11.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">14.3%</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Kurt Suzuki</span></td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.500</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.359</td>
<td align="right">130</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">16.7%</td>
<td align="right">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jed Lowrie</span></td>
<td align="right">165</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.290</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.325</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.477</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.345</td>
<td align="right">120</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">4.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">13.9%</td>
<td align="right">0.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Josh Donaldson</span></td>
<td align="right">161</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.254</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.350</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.377</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.326</td>
<td align="right">108</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">11.2%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">18.0%</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Eric Sogard</span></td>
<td align="right">119</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.290</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.313</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.430</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.319</td>
<td align="right">103</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">3.4%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">13.4%</td>
<td align="right">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Yoenis Cespedes</span></td>
<td align="right">137</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.233</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.277</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.426</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.306</td>
<td align="right">94</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">5.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">25.5%</td>
<td align="right">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Coco Crisp</span></td>
<td align="right">137</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.232</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.299</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.400</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.306</td>
<td align="right">94</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">8.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">12.4%</td>
<td align="right">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Chris Young</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.192</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.289</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.397</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.304</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">10.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">31.3%</td>
<td align="right">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Josh Reddick (DL)</td>
<td align="right">124</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.202</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.290</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.394</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.300</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">10.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">25.0%</td>
<td align="right">0.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Stephen Vogt</span></td>
<td align="right">79</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.257</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.325</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.329</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.291</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">8.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">20.3%</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Daric Barton</span></td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.313</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.265</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">6.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">6.3%</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Seth Smith</span></td>
<td align="right">74</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.123</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.230</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.215</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.212</td>
<td align="right">29</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">12.2%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">27.0%</td>
<td align="right">-0.4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Data From Fangraphs.com</p>
<p><b>The Starting Pitching</b></p>
<p><b>Jarrod Parker</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he has been an impressive 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA. He has worked 37.1 innings allowing only 8R/ER on 33 hits striking out 31 while walking only 7.</p>
<p>He last faced the Rays on April 20th at Tropicana Field holding them to a single run in 6.1 innings but that would be all the Rays would need as <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span>, <span>Joel Peralta</span>, and <span>Fernando Rodney</span> combined to shutout the A's as the Rays won 1-0.</p>
<p><b>Sonny Gray</b></p>
<p>Gray was the A's #1 pick out of Vanderbilt University in the 2011 draft. He was ranked by Baseball America as the #65 prospect on their top 100 prior to the 2012 season but fell off the list after a mediocre 6-9 with a 4.29 ERA season split between Double A Midland and Triple A Sacremento.</p>
<p>In 2013 he started the year in Triple A and posted a record of 10-7 with a 3.42 ERA and received his call up to the A's.</p>
<p>He has appeared in 6 games and made 4 starts. In his 4 starts he is 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA. He has worked 24.1 innings allowing 12R/10ER on 18 hits striking out 24 and walking 8.</p>
<p><b>A.J. Griffin </b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he is 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA. He has worked 28.1 innings and allowed 16R/13ER on 26 hits while striking out 23 and walking 17.</p>
<p>His last appearance against the Rays came last season on July 30th receiving a no-decision after working 7 innings allowing only 3 runs in a 4-3 Athletics victory.</p>
<p>He leads the American League with 32 home runs allowed. He has allowed 13 home runs in 85.1 innings at home and 19 home runs in 83.2 innings on the road.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/30/4675354/series-preview-oakland-athleticsSteve Kinsella2013-08-23T14:00:06-04:002013-08-23T14:00:06-04:00Yankees Look To Continue Hot Streak
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7FfCYYtB09TpXOs3qr4B6ub3HZ0=/0x0:600x400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18289959/27-oct-10_104444592cc240_texas_ranger.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nick Laham</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New York Yankees have won 10 of their last 12 games and suddenly find themselves in the thick of the playoff chase only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> visit Tropicana Field winners of 10 of their last 12 games to revive their playoff hopes. They have a record of 68-59 and trail the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> by 6 games and the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> by 3.5 games for the final wild card.</p>
<p><span>The Yankees team that visits Tropicana Field this weekend will have a vastly different look then the previous matchups. The Yankees have spent much of the year struggling to score runs with a lineup that could best be described as <span>Robinson Cano</span> and friends. </span></p>
<p>The offense has been revitalized with the acquisition of <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> and <span>Mark Reynolds</span> and the return of <span>Alex Rodriguez</span> and <span>Curtis Granderson</span>.</p>
<p>The pitching matchups for the weekend series will be <span>Chris Archer</span> (6-5, 2.95 ERA) vs <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span> (11-8, 2.41 ERA) on Friday, <span>David Price</span> (7-5, 3.29 ERA) vs C.C. Sabathia (11-10, 4.83 ERA) on Saturday night at 7:10 p.m., and <span>Alex Cobb</span> (8-2, 2.85 ERA) vs <span>Ivan Nova</span> (7-4, 3.17 ERA) on Sunday at 1:40 p.m.</p>
<p><b>The Bullpen</b></p>
<p>The Yankees continue to shorten the game with their bullpen. Not only do they have the 9th inning covered with <span>Mariano Rivera</span> and the 8th with <span>David Robertson</span> they also have found a gem in <span>Shawn Kelley</span> who has only allowed 5.71% (2 of 35) inherited runners to score. The following table shows the Yankees bullpen in the 2nd half.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="467" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 354pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="122" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4461; width: 92pt;">
<col width="26" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 950; width: 20pt;">
<col width="21" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 768; width: 16pt;">
<col width="41" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1499; width: 31pt;">
<col width="30" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1097; width: 23pt;">
<col width="48" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;">
<col width="46" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="40" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;">
<col width="42" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="122" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 92pt;">Team</td>
<td width="26" style="width: 20pt;">W</td>
<td width="21" style="width: 16pt;">L</td>
<td width="21" style="width: 16pt;">SV</td>
<td width="41" style="width: 31pt;">IP</td>
<td width="30" style="width: 23pt;">K/9</td>
<td width="30" style="width: 23pt;">BB/9</td>
<td width="48" style="width: 36pt;">GB%</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">HR/FB</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">ERA</td>
<td width="42" style="width: 32pt;">FIP</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Yankees</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">93.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">44.6%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">14.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.36</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.60</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">David Robertson</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">14.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">8.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.9</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">48.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">9.1%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.63</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.62</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Shawn Kelley</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">13.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.6</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">31.4%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">6.3%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.63</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.33</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Joba Chamberlain</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">8.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.2</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">41.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">14.3%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.12</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">6.26</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mariano Rivera</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">13.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">43.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">20.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.29</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.57</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Preston Claiborne</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.2</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">55.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.46</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.88</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Boone Logan</span></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.4</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">40.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">15.4%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.50</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">5.23</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Adam Warren</span></td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">14.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.3</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">43.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">30.8%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">5.02</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">7.22</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Offense</b></p>
<p>The Yankees have averaged 4.94 runs per game in the month of August and a lot of that has to do with Alfonso Soriano who since being acquired by the Yankees has a slash line of .284/.327/.489 with 9 home runs and 28 RBI. Along with Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, and Alex Rodriguez the lineup now has teeth.</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 382pt;" width="507" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4425; width: 91pt;" width="121">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;" width="33">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;" width="48">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1609; width: 33pt;" width="44">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1718; width: 35pt;" width="47">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" span="2" width="42">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;" width="46">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 91pt;" width="121" height="20">Name</td>
<td style="width: 25pt;" width="33">PA</td>
<td style="width: 36pt;" width="48">BB%</td>
<td style="width: 33pt;" width="44">K%</td>
<td style="width: 35pt;" width="47">AVG</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">OBP</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">SLG</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">OPS</td>
<td style="width: 35pt;" width="46">wOBA</td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="39">wRC+</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Yankees</td>
<td align="right">1186</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">7.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">19.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.261</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.323</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.382</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.705</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.311</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Austin Romine</span></td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">29.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.382</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.450</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.588</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">1.038</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.443</td>
<td align="right">183</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Alfonso Soriano</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">25.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.284</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.327</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.589</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.916</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.391</td>
<td align="right">147</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Curtis Granderson</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">18.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">25.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.288</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.417</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.441</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.857</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.383</td>
<td align="right">142</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Robinson Cano</td>
<td align="right">133</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.406</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.453</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.859</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.375</td>
<td align="right">136</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Alex Rodriguez</td>
<td align="right">62</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">24.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.296</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.387</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.444</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.832</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.370</td>
<td align="right">133</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Vernon Wells</span></td>
<td align="right">69</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">17.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.283</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.362</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.417</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.779</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.344</td>
<td align="right">115</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Eduardo Nunez</span></td>
<td align="right">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.277</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.321</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.406</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.727</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.314</td>
<td align="right">94</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Mark Reynolds</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">20.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.214</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.267</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.429</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.695</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.304</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Lyle Overbay</span></td>
<td align="right">102</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">27.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.260</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.375</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.669</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right">80</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brett Gardner</span></td>
<td align="right">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">7.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">19.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.313</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.647</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.289</td>
<td align="right">77</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Derek Jeter</span></td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.200</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.400</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.694</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.285</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Chris Stewart</td>
<td align="right">77</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">14.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.203</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.276</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.290</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.566</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.259</td>
<td align="right">56</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Ichiro Suzuki</span></td>
<td align="right">110</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">1.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.245</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.266</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.264</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.530</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.234</td>
<td align="right">39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>The Starting Pitchers</b></span></p>
<p><b>Hiroki Kuroda</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts Kuroda has a 2-2 record with a 1.56 ERA. He has worked 34.2 innings allowing just 8R/6ER on 34 hits striking out 28 and walking 4. His last outing was on August 17th against the Boston Red Sox where he worked the first 5.2 innings allowing 5R/3ER on 11 hits.</p>
<p>It will be his first start against the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> this season. He faced the Rays 3 times in 2012 going 2-1 with a 6.11 ERA.</p>
<p><b>C.C. Sabathia</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts Sabathia has a 2-2 record with a 7.06 ERA. He has worked 29.1 innings allowing 24R/23ER on 35 hits striking out 23 and walking 17.</p>
<p>He has made 4 starts against the Rays this season and has a 1-3 record with an ERA of 8.31. He last faced the Rays in Yankee Stadium on July 26th allowing 7R/ER in 5 innings in a Rays 10-6 victory. His last start at Tropicana Field came on May 26th allowing 7R/ER in 7 innings of work taking the loss in a 8-3 Rays victory.</p>
<p><b>Ivan Nova</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts Nova 3-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He has worked 34.2 innings allowing 9R/ER striking out 31 and walking 8.</p>
<p>He last faced the Rays on July 27th allowing just 1R/ER in 7 innings of work but Chris Archer was better as he tossed a complete game shutout leading the Rays to a 1-0 victory.</p>
<h4>More from DRaysBay:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/23/4648922/dejesus-and">Delmon Young and David DeJesus in the Rays lineup</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/22/4647966/david-dejesus-rays-trade-waivers?utm_source=draysbay&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">What would David Dejesus bring the Rays?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/21/4645772/state-of-the-bullpen?utm_source=draysbay&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">State of the Bullpen</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/20/4637214/on-josh-sale?utm_source=draysbay&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">On Josh Sale</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/19/4636480/on-player-observations?utm_source=draysbay&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">On Player Observations</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/DRaysBay"><img width="100%" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1723421/DRB-twitter-insert.png"></a></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/23/4649006/series-preview-new-york-yankeesSteve Kinsella2013-08-16T13:00:06-04:002013-08-16T13:00:06-04:00Blue Jays Look To Play Spoiler In St. Pete
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3ft6VBv7IvFuOP6n95mYETjE69E=/3x0:996x662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17938841/120422682.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg Fiume</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Toronto Blue Jays put a dent in the Boston Red Sox by taking 2 out of 3 north of the border and will look to damage the Rays playoff hopes this weekend in St. Petersburg. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a> come in to town with a record of 56-65 but they are riding a high after taking two out of three from the Boston Red Sox to finish their 7-game home stand with a record of 3-4. Despite losing 11 of their last 17 games the Red Sox series proves that teams can't sleep on the Blue Jays who despite numerous injuries still have talented roster of players.</p>
<p>The pitching matchups over the weekend will be <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> (10-6, 4.93 ERA) vs <span>R.A. Dickey</span> (9-11, 4.46 ERA) on Friday night at 7:10 p.m., Roberto Hernandez (6-12, 4.95 ERA) vs <span>J.A. Happ</span> (2-2, 5.11 ERA) on Saturday night at 7:10 p.m, and <span>Chris Archer</span> (6-5, 3.10 ERA) vs <span>Todd Redmond</span> (1-1, 3.62 ERA).</p>
<p><b>The Disable List: </b></p>
<p><span>Melky Cabrera</span> (knee), <span>Colby Rasmus</span> (oblique), <span>Steve Delabar</span> (shoulder), Josh Johnson (forearm), <span>Dustin McGowan</span> (oblique), <span>Brandon Morrow</span> (forearm), <span>Ramon Ortiz</span> (elbow)</p>
<p><b>The Bullpen:</b></p>
<p><span>Casey Janssen</span> (Closer), <span>Sergio Santos</span>, <span>Aaron Loup</span> (LHP), <span>Neil Wagner</span>, <span>Darren Oliver</span> (LHP), <span>Brad Lincoln</span>, <span>Mickey Storey</span>, <span>Brett Cecil</span> (LHP), <span>Thad Weber</span></p>
<p>Times have changed for the Blue Jays bullpen which had been on quite a roll the last time the Blue Jays and Rays met up in Tampa. Steve Delabar has landed on the disabled list and Brett Cecil has struggled.</p>
<p>Cecil was fantastic in the first half and his performance landed him on the All-Star team. Overall his numbers (5-1, 2.89 ERA) look fantastic but over his last 15 appearances he has posted an ERA Of 8.25 (11R/12IP). The main reason has been his lack of control issuing 10 walks in the 12 innings of work.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays Bullpen over the past 30-days:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="431" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 325pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="117" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4278; width: 88pt;">
<col width="21" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 768; width: 16pt;">
<col width="28" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1024; width: 21pt;">
<col width="24" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 877; width: 18pt;">
<col width="23" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 841; width: 17pt;">
<col width="39" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;">
<col width="36" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1316; width: 27pt;">
<col width="50" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828; width: 38pt;">
<col width="34" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1243; width: 26pt;">
<col width="38" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1389; width: 29pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="117" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 88pt;">Name</td>
<td width="21" style="width: 16pt;">W</td>
<td width="21" style="width: 16pt;">L</td>
<td width="28" style="width: 21pt;">SV</td>
<td width="24" style="width: 18pt;">G</td>
<td width="23" style="width: 17pt;">IP</td>
<td width="39" style="width: 29pt;">K/9</td>
<td width="36" style="width: 27pt;">BB/9</td>
<td width="50" style="width: 38pt;">HR/FB</td>
<td width="34" style="width: 26pt;">ERA</td>
<td width="38" style="width: 29pt;">FIP</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Casey Janssen</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.8</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">9.1%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.66</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.25</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Aaron Loup</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.1</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">10.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.15</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.58</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sergio Santos</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.6</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.76</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">2.51</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Neil Wagner</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.0</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">14.3%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.12</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.27</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mickey Storey</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">27.0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">-2.96</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brad Lincoln</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">3.7</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.4</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.68</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Darren Oliver</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">7.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.7</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">22.2%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">6.30</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">5.24</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brett Cecil</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.6</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">20.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">7.45</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">6.46</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Offense:</b></p>
<p>Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie, and Jose Bautista have all been crushing the ball of late. In a limited role against LHP Mark De Rosa has proven to be very valuable as a spot starter/pinch hitter.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays offense over the past 30-days.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="501" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 375pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="124" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4534; width: 93pt;">
<col width="33" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206; width: 25pt;">
<col width="44" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1609; width: 33pt;">
<col width="42" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;">
<col width="43" span="6" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="124" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 93pt;">Name</td>
<td width="33" style="width: 25pt;">PA</td>
<td width="44" style="width: 33pt;">BB%</td>
<td width="42" style="width: 32pt;">K%</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">AVG</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">OBP</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">SLG</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">OPS</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">wOBA</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">wRC+</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Mark DeRosa</span></td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">18.8%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.296</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.406</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.630</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">1.036</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.441</td>
<td align="right">182</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Edwin Encarnacion</span></td>
<td align="right">117</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">16.2%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.320</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.427</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.557</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.984</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.415</td>
<td align="right">164</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Brett Lawrie</span></td>
<td align="right">105</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">8.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.4%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.394</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.559</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.953</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.410</td>
<td align="right">161</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jose Bautista</span></td>
<td align="right">118</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">12.7%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">11.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.287</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.381</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.535</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.916</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.394</td>
<td align="right">149</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Colby Rasmus</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.4%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">29.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.307</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.344</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.455</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.799</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.349</td>
<td align="right">119</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jose Reyes</span></td>
<td align="right">122</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">9.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">16.4%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.273</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.344</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.455</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.799</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.348</td>
<td align="right">118</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> (N/A)</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.4%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">32.4%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.324</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.429</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.753</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.330</td>
<td align="right">106</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Melky Cabrera</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.4%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">10.8%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.286</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.324</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.343</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.667</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.298</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Adam Lind</span></td>
<td align="right">99</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.2%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">21.2%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.169</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.303</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.301</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.604</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.277</td>
<td align="right">69</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Josh Thole</span></td>
<td align="right">40</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.152</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.300</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.212</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.512</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.251</td>
<td align="right">52</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Rajai Davis</span></td>
<td align="right">58</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.9%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">15.5%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.222</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.276</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.278</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.554</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.251</td>
<td align="right">51</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>J.P. Arencibia</span></td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">4.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">24.6%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.164</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.215</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.295</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.510</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.228</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Maicer Izturis</span></td>
<td align="right">86</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">12.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">8.1%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.137</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.247</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.151</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.398</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.198</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Kevin Pillar</span></td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">25.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td align="right">-100</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Munenori Kawasaki</span></td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">25.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.000</td>
<td align="right">-100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Pitchers</b></p>
<p><b>R.A. Dickey </b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he has faced he has posted a record of 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA. He has worked 32.2 innings and struck out 30 while walking 8.</p>
<p>The last time he faced the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> was back on July 21st in Toronto. He took the loss going 6 innings allowing 4R/ER striking out 8 and walking 1 in the Rays 4-3 victory.</p>
<p>The last time he faced the Rays at Tropicana Field was back on June 21st and he delivered a masterpiece. He only needed 93 pitches to throw a complete game shutout allowing just 1 hit striking out 6 and walking 1 in the Blue Jays 3-0 victory.</p>
<p><b>J.A. Happ</b></p>
<p>Happ last pitched at Tropicana Field back on May 7th and was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of <span>Desmond Jennings</span>. As a result of the line drive he suffered a skull fracture but he also sustained two strained ligaments when he was spun to the ground.</p>
<p>He has made 2 starts since his return. On August 7th he faced the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a> and allowed 7R/6ER in 4 innings of work.</p>
<p>His next outing was much better as he went 7 innings allowing just 1R/ER on 3 hits striking out 6 and walking 2 against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>.</p>
<p><b>Todd Redmond</b></p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts he has not recorded a decision but has an ERA of 3.65. He has worked 24.2 innings allowed 24 hits while striking out 32 and walking just 6.</p>
<p>His last outing was on Tuesday evening against the Boston <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> holding them to just 1R/ER on 3 hits striking out 5 and walking 1 in 5.1 innings of work.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/16/4626242/series-preview-toronto-blue-jaysSteve Kinsella2013-08-09T13:00:09-04:002013-08-09T13:00:09-04:00Yasiel Puig & Dodgers Prepare To Take On Rays
<figure>
<img alt="Sup Tampa Bay...ready for me?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JddTdRuD_qNPNsWXMusnXccawhU=/0x1:4000x2668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17616523/20130807_ajl_ac1_107.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sup Tampa Bay...ready for me? | Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Can the Rays regain their momentum while halting the Dodgers? The key will be containing Yasiel Puig who has put up video game numbers since his arrival to the big leagues.</p> <p>On June 21st the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were a season worst 12 games under .500 and manager Don Mattingly was on the hot - seat especially after blasting the desire of his own team in May. Since that time the Dodgers have been on a tear posting an absurd record of 34-8 (.810) and doing most of their damage on the road posting a 17-1 record over their last 18.</p>
<p>This is the best 42 game stretch for the Dodgers since the 1953 season and over the span of the streak they lead the league in ERA and batting average at .283. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> just had their streak of series victories snapped in Arizona but the Dodgers streak continues as they haven't lost a series since June 14-16 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> at PNC Park (lost 2 of 3). Their record in series since then is 10-0-4. They are not only beating teams soundly but also have 10 straight 1-run victories dating back to June 25.</p>
<p>The pitching matchups over the weekend will be <span>David Price</span> (6-5, 3.36 ERA) vs <span>Chris Capuano</span> (4-6, 4.16 ERA) on Friday at 10:10 p.m., Roberto Hernandez (6-11, 4.75 ERA) vs. <span>Zack Greinke</span> (9-3, 3.40 ERA) on Saturday at 4:10 p.m., and <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> (10-5, 4.77 ERA) vs. <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> (10-7, 1.91 ERA) on Sunday at 8:05 p.m. The Sunday night game will be televised nationally on ESPN.</p>
<p><b>Bullpen: </b><span>Kenley Jansen</span> (CL), <span>Ronald Belisario</span>, <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> (LHGP, Chirs Withrow, <span>J.P. Howell</span> (LHP), <span>Carlos Marmol</span>, <span>Brandon League</span></p>
<p>Since the All-Start break the Dodgers bullpen leads the National League in holding the opposition to a .176 batting average and are second in the league with a 2.04 ERA.</p>
<p>Kenley Jansen has been on a role since assuming the closers role from Brandon League. He has successfully converted 10 saves in a row and since July 3rd owns a 1.10 ERA (2ER/16.1IP) while limited the opposition to a batting average of .109 (6 for 55). Over that span he has struck out 23 and overall leads all relievers with 82 strikeouts.</p>
<p>The Rays will see old friend J.P. Howell this weekend. He has pitched quite well recording a scoreless outing in 17 of his last 18 appearances. He also ranks 11th among all National League relievers with a 2.11 ERA.</p>
<p>The Dodgers bullpen since the All-Star Break:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363pt;" width="483" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4717; width: 97pt;" width="129">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;" width="48">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755; width: 36pt;" width="48">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;" width="40">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1901; width: 39pt;" width="52">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;" width="43">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 97pt;" width="129" height="20">Name</td>
<td style="width: 36pt;" width="48">K%</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">BB%</td>
<td style="width: 36pt;" width="48">AVG</td>
<td style="width: 30pt;" width="40">WHIP</td>
<td style="width: 39pt;" width="52">LOB%</td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="39">ERA</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="43">FIP</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">SIERA</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Kenley Jansen</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">47.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">2.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.077</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.33</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">75.00%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.53</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Chris Withrow</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">33.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">3.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.154</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">80.00%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.87</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">J.P. Howell</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">14.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">10.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.160</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">85.70%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3.18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4.21</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Paco Rodriguez</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">24.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">3.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.129</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">0.56</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">87.00%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3.38</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.62</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Ronald Belisario</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">14.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">14.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.207</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">75.00%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4.09</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">4.01</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Brandon League</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">14.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">8.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.188</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">1.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">96.80%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3.00</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.83</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">3.65</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">Carlos Marmol</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">12.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">16.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">2.20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">72.90%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">7.20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">6.85</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66">5.70</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Dodgers Offense:</b></p>
<p>The Dodgers offense is led by Yaiel Puig who in just 57 games in the big leagues is proving to be one of the games best. His slash line is video game like .377/.437/.600 with 11 home runs in just 245 plate appearances. He also has a cannon for an arm and has thrown out several runners trying to advance.</p>
<p>If their is one limitation to his game thus far it is his aggressiveness on the bases where he has stolen 7 bases but been caught 5 times. His desire to run extends to the unhealthy side as he was upset and let veteran teammate <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> know about it when he felt Gonzalez should have scored on a double. The two ended up having an animated exchange regarding the matter. Puig is the spark plug of the offense and keeping him in check will be a key to winning the series.</p>
<p>The Rays will meet up with <span>Carl Crawford</span> who is back and healthy in 2013. Overall he is hitting .295/.344/.425 while proving that he can perform in the leadoff spot. He has played in 76 games and has 11 stolen bases while only getting nabbed 4 times.</p>
<p>Notable injuries on their offense include <span>Matt Kemp</span> who is on the disabled list with an ankle injury and <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> who has missed the last several games with a shoulder injury and is listed as day-to-day with the DL still a looming possibility.</p>
<p>Dodgers offense 2nd half:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="538" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 405pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="116" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4242; width: 87pt;">
<col width="37" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;">
<col width="43" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;">
<col width="46" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="43" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1572; width: 32pt;">
<col width="46" span="3" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682; width: 35pt;">
<col width="39" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="116" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 87pt;">Name</td>
<td width="37" style="width: 28pt;">PA</td>
<td width="37" style="width: 28pt;">HR</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">BB%</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">K%</td>
<td width="43" style="width: 32pt;">AVG</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">OBP</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">SLG</td>
<td width="46" style="width: 35pt;">wOBA</td>
<td width="39" style="width: 29pt;">wRC+</td>
<td width="39" style="width: 29pt;">WAR</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Yasiel Puig</span></td>
<td align="right">84</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">14.3%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">26.2%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.348</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.464</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.565</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.444</td>
<td align="right">193</td>
<td align="right">1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Hanley Ramirez</td>
<td align="right">67</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.5%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">29.9%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.313</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.343</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.547</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.384</td>
<td align="right">151</td>
<td align="right">0.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Andre Ethier</span></td>
<td align="right">86</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">14.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">18.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.278</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.384</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.486</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.375</td>
<td align="right">144</td>
<td align="right">0.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Carl Crawford</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.8%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">10.1%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.355</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.380</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.434</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.354</td>
<td align="right">130</td>
<td align="right">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>A.J. Ellis</span></td>
<td align="right">61</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.9%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.9%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.250</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.311</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.357</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.301</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Mark Ellis</span></td>
<td align="right">69</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">4.3%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">13.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.313</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.338</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.406</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.326</td>
<td align="right">111</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Tim Federowicz</span></td>
<td align="right">28</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">7.1%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">32.1%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.360</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.407</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.440</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.363</td>
<td align="right">136</td>
<td align="right">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Nick Punto</span></td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">16.7%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">26.7%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.250</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.367</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.318</td>
<td align="right">105</td>
<td align="right">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Adrian Gonzalez</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">8.0%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">14.8%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.275</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.330</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.338</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.299</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Skip Schumaker</span></td>
<td align="right">45</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">8.9%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">28.9%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.256</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.326</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.462</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.344</td>
<td align="right">123</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Juan Uribe</span></td>
<td align="right">63</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">3.2%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">20.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.190</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.226</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.276</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.223</td>
<td align="right">39</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><span>Jerry Hairston</span></td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">6.7%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">13.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.222</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.300</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.333</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.287</td>
<td align="right">84</td>
<td align="right">-0.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Pitchers:</b></p>
<p><b>Chris Capuano</b></p>
<p>Overall left hander Chris Capuano is 4-6 with a 4.16 ERA. He has made 14 starts out of 16 appearances. He has a strikeout rate of 7.0 K/9 while keeping the walks at a minimum with a 2 BB/9 rate.</p>
<p>His season has been interrupted by two stints on the disabled list. Like many of the Dodgers he seems to be finding his groove of late.</p>
<p>He has not allowed a run in 3 of his last 4 starts going 2-0 witha 1.90 ERA (5 ER/23.2 IP) dating back to July 11. He has allowed 1 or fewer runs in 7 of his 14 starts this year.</p>
<p>He has faced the Rays only once in his career and this came way back on June 13, 2005 when the team was still known as the Devil Rays and he pitched for the Breweres. He allowed four runs on 12 hits in 7 innings as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> defeated the Rays 5-3 at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p><b>Zack Greinke:</b></p>
<p>The hard throwing right hander has posted a record 9-3 with a 3.40 ERA on the year. He missed part of the season after breaking his collarbone after brawling with <span>Carlos Quentin</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>.</p>
<p>He is 2-1 over his last 5 starts posting an ERA of 2.29 (9ER/35.1IP). He has held the opposition to a .220 batting average against while striking out 27 and walking 6.</p>
<p>Lifetime his is 2-6 vs the Rays with a 3.70 in 11 career starts (14 appearances). He last faced the Rays as a member of the LA <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> last August 19 and allowed 6R/ER on 7 hits striking out 8 and walking 4 as the Rays beat the Angels 8-4.</p>
<p><b>Clayton Kershaw:</b></p>
<p>Kershaw is the front runner for the NL Cy Young and possibly the MVP award as well. He has been as dominant as any pitcher in baseball posting a record of 10-7 with a league leading 1.91 ERA. He leads the league in hits per nine innings at just 6 and doesn't walk a lot of hitters as evidenced by his walk rate of 1.9BB/9. He strikes a lot of hitters out and has a strike out rate of 8.6 K/9. When you don't give up hits, don't walk guys, and strike batters out it's not hard to see why he is the best pitcher in baseball.</p>
<p>He is much like the National League version of <span>Chris Sale</span> as when he pitches he seldom gets run support. Over his last 5 outings he has a record of just 2-2 but a sparkling ERA of 2.00. He has worked 36 innings and allowed just 25 hits. He has struck out 37 batters and only issued 3 walks.</p>
<p>This will be his first career appearance against the Rays.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/9/4605102/series-preview-los-angeles-dodgersSteve Kinsella2013-08-02T14:19:09-04:002013-08-02T14:19:09-04:00Madison Bumgarner And Giants Visit St. Pete
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XTosejxL4pjCIt8b-GNn9tcVVmY=/0x651:2846x2548/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17266983/20130630_kdl_ac4_379.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Giants have not been to St. Petersburg to take on the Rays since they lost 2 out of 3 to the then Devil Rays back in 2004. A key to the series will be shutting down Buster Posey and defeating Madison Bumgarner in the important game 1. Always fun to win on a Friday Evening! </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> enter this weekends series in St. Pete winners of two in a row but have lost 8 of their last 11, 13 of their last 21, and 21 of their last 32. They have especially struggled on the road posting the 4th lowest win percentage in the majors at 20-32 (.384) and have lost 12 of their last 18. They finished the month of July with a record of 8-17 which was the 3rd worst July in the Major Leagues (behind <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">White Sox</a> and <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a>) and the worst month in the franchise since June 1994. </p>
<p>They enter the weekend with a 48-59 record and in last place by 10 games in the AL West and 11 out in the wild card. This weekend marks the first time the Giants have played in St. Petersburg since 2004 when they lost two out of three.</p>
<p>This weekends pitching matchups are Madison Bumgarner (10-6, 2.76 ERA) vs <span>Chris Archer</span> (6-3, 2.39 ERA) on Friday at 7:10 p.m., <span>Tim Lincecum</span> (5-11, 4.61 ERA) vs <span>David Price</span> (6-5, 3.57 ERA) on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. and TBA vs Roberto Hernandez (6-11, 4.71 ERA) at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11.326px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22.640625px; color: #333333;" class="infoboxtextboldnobullet"><b>The Offense:</b></p>
<p>The Giants rely on their pitching to win games and are 37-11 when the team just scores 4 or more runs. The offense has struggled through most of the season and have hit the second fewest home runs in the major leagues (65) second only to the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a> (63). They have scored the 4th fewest runs per game (3.86) in the major leagues. </p>
<p>Much like the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> the Giants are a pesky offense that despite a lack of power in the lineup is capable of stringing together hits to score a few runs. They do carry the 4th best batting average (.262) into the series. </p>
<p><b>Giants Offense Last 30 days:</b></p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 410pt;" width="544" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4315; width: 89pt;" width="118">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;" width="51">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828; width: 38pt;" width="50">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;" width="51">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1645; width: 34pt;" width="45">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1938; width: 40pt;" width="53">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828; width: 38pt;" width="50">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" width="42">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 89pt;" width="118" height="20">Name</td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="39">PA</td>
<td style="width: 38pt;" width="51">BB%</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">K%</td>
<td style="width: 38pt;" width="50">AVG</td>
<td style="width: 38pt;" width="51">OBP</td>
<td style="width: 34pt;" width="45">SLG</td>
<td style="width: 40pt;" width="53">OPS</td>
<td style="width: 38pt;" width="50">wOBA</td>
<td style="width: 32pt;" width="42">wRC+</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brandon Crawford</span></td>
<td align="right">72</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.1%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">13.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.313</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.389</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.422</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.811</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.360</td>
<td align="right">136</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Buster Posey</span></td>
<td align="right">89</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.296</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.348</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.444</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.793</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.346</td>
<td align="right">126</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Pablo Sandoval</span></td>
<td align="right">107</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">9.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">16.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.283</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.355</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.435</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.790</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.340</td>
<td align="right">122</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Marco Scutaro</span></td>
<td align="right">90</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.2%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.320</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.402</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.736</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.336</td>
<td align="right">119</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Joaquin Arias</span></td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">0.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.429</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.762</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.331</td>
<td align="right">116</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Hunter Pence</span></td>
<td align="right">103</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">14.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.276</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.311</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.378</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.688</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.303</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Brandon Belt</span></td>
<td align="right">78</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">34.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.224</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.333</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.343</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.677</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.302</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Kensuke Tanaka</span></td>
<td align="right">34</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">8.8%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.267</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.353</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.267</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.620</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.289</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Andres Torres</span></td>
<td align="right">61</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.5%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">19.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.216</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.305</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.294</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.599</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.265</td>
<td align="right">70</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Tony Abreu</span></td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.4%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">22.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.211</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.316</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.560</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.246</td>
<td align="right">57</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Guillermo Quiroz</span></td>
<td align="right">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">5.7%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">20.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.194</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.235</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.323</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.558</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.242</td>
<td align="right">54</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Gregor Blanco</span></td>
<td align="right">83</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">12.0%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">16.9%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.181</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.277</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.222</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.499</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.236</td>
<td align="right">49</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><span>Jeff Francoeur</span></td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2.3%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">11.6%</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.167</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.186</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.190</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.377</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64">0.169</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>.</p>
<p><b>The Bullpen:</b></p>
<p><span>Sergio Romo</span> (Closer), <span>Santiago Casilla</span>, <span>Javier Lopez</span> (LHP), <span>Jean Machi</span>, <span>Jose Mijares</span> (LHP), <span>Guillermo Moscoso</span>, <span>Sandy Rosario</span>.</p>
<div>The Giants bullpen has been getting worn out. Over the last 30 days they have worked a major league leading 91.2 innings. In that span they have posted the 8th lowest ERA in the National League (3.53) with a FIP of 3.64.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>The bullpen over the last 30 days:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="568" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 427pt;">
<colgroup>
<col width="133" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4864; width: 100pt;">
<col width="39" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;">
<col width="37" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1353; width: 28pt;">
<col width="60" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2194; width: 45pt;">
<col width="51" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865; width: 38pt;">
<col width="50" span="2" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828; width: 38pt;">
<col width="64" style="width: 48pt;">
<col width="40" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462; width: 30pt;">
<col width="44" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1609; width: 33pt;">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" width="133" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 100pt;">Name</td>
<td width="39" style="width: 29pt;">K/9</td>
<td width="37" style="width: 28pt;">BB/9</td>
<td width="60" style="width: 45pt;">K%</td>
<td width="51" style="width: 38pt;">BB%</td>
<td width="50" style="width: 38pt;">AVG</td>
<td width="50" style="width: 38pt;">WHIP</td>
<td width="64" style="width: 48pt;">LOB%</td>
<td width="40" style="width: 30pt;">ERA</td>
<td width="44" style="width: 33pt;">FIP</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Jean Machi</td>
<td align="right">7.56</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">23.30%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">0.00%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.200</td>
<td align="right">0.72</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">83.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.08</td>
<td align="right">1.36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Jose Mijares</td>
<td align="right">14.1</td>
<td align="right">5.14</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">32.40%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">11.80%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.310</td>
<td align="right">1.86</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">78.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">3.86</td>
<td align="right">2.04</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sergio Romo</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">28.60%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">7.10%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.237</td>
<td align="right">1.33</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">51.7%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">5.00</td>
<td align="right">3.15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sandy Rosario</td>
<td align="right">4.09</td>
<td align="right">3.27</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">10.90%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">8.70%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.238</td>
<td align="right">1.27</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">78.6%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">2.45</td>
<td align="right">3.23</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Santiago Casilla</td>
<td align="right">6.75</td>
<td align="right">3.38</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">17.40%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">8.70%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.200</td>
<td align="right">1.13</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">100.0%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">0.00</td>
<td align="right">3.23</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Javier Lopez</td>
<td align="right">6.43</td>
<td align="right">5.14</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">14.70%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">11.80%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.167</td>
<td align="right">1.29</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">88.9%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">1.29</td>
<td align="right">3.33</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Guillermo Moscoso</td>
<td align="right">10.1</td>
<td align="right">6.75</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">23.10%</td>
<td class="xl63" align="right">15.40%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="right">0.200</td>
<td align="right">1.5</td>
<td class="xl66" align="right">83.3%</td>
<td class="xl64" align="right">6.75</td>
<td align="right">9.04</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Starters:</b></p>
<p><b><span>Madison Bumgarner</span></b></p>
<p>Bumgarner has been the best starter for the Giants in 2013 going 10-6 with a 2.76 ERA. He has made 21 starts and 15 have been quality starts. The Giants are 12-9 when he takes the mound and have won 6 of their last 9 when he takes the mond. He enters his start with a scoreless innings streak of 14. He has allowed 3 runs or few in each of his last 9 starts. </p>
<p>Over his last 5 outings he has posted a record of 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA. He has worked 36 innings allowing only 6R/ER on 20 hits striking out 33 while walking just 9. </p>
<p><b>Tim Lincecum</b></p>
<p>The Giants were hoping for a return to dominance from Tim Lincecum after a shaky 2012 (10-15, 5.18 ERA) but although he has improved he is still a far cry from the dominant lefty of previous seasons. Overall he is 5-11 with a 3.67 ERA. He still has strike out ability as evidenced by his strike out rate of 9.7 K/9 and can still be dominant on certain nights. </p>
<p>In his last start before the All-Star game Tim Lincecum celebrated a no-hitter in which he threw 148 pitches. His first start after the all star break came on 8 days rest and it was one of the worst of his career giving up 8R/ER in just 3.1 innings against the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>. </p>
<p>Over his last 5 games he has a record of 1-3 with an ERA of 4.50. He has worked 32 innings allowed 16R/ER on 25 hits striking out 44 batters while walking 10.</p>
<p><b>Possible: <span>Barry Zito</span> </b></p>
<p>Remarkably Zito is 0-7 with a 9.97 ERA in 9 road starts this season. According to Elias the only other pitcher in Major League history to go 0-7 or worse with an ERA higher than Zito's was the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> <span>Charlie Morton</span> who went 0-7 with a 10.38 ERA in his first 9 road starts in 2010.</p>
<p>Ignoring the splits Zito has gone 4-8 with a 5.09 ERA this season. He has a strike out rate of only 5.9 K/9 while his walk rate is 3.7 BB/9. Of all starting pitchers with 100 innings or more he has posted the highest WHIP at 1.68. </p>
<p>Over his last 5 starts (4 on the road) he has posted a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 7.65. In his 5 starts he has only worked 20 innings allowing 17R/ER on 29 hits striking out 14 while walking 12. He has been unable to work past the 4th inning in any of his last 3 starts lasting just 2. 4.2, and 3.1 innings respectively.</p>
<p><b>The Series:</b></p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> pitching staff, especially at Tropicana Field, should be able to keep the ball inside of the park. The Rays defense, which has been stellar all season, will be relied on to turn batted balls into outs. Chris Archer and David Price should both be able to follow the script of attacking the lineup inside the strike zone. Roberto Hernandez will look to continue his dominance over National League opponents (3-0, 1.52 ERA). </p>
<p>The Rays pitchers will have to work cautiously around Buster Posey as he is the big bat in the lineup. He should be the one guy that Joe Maddon and Jim Hickey have pre-determined not be the hitter that beats them. </p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2013/8/2/4578162/series-preview-san-francisco-giantsSteve Kinsella