Toronto (71-70) at Rays (59-84)
2:15; Tropicana Field
NO TV RADIO: Rays Radio/1250 AM
I'm in a little bit of a hurry to get outta here today, I'm goin to the game in a little bit. I guess I COULD bring a broom to Tropicana Field like I wanted to on Friday, but not in the way I had hoped. Watching that game last night, you just got the feeling that we were gonna lose the game. There was an aura, even when the Rays took the lead. I could complain and moan about Baez here, but that would be nothing new. Instead, I will leave you with this: I HAVE NEVER WATCHED THE RAYS GET SWEPT WHEN ATTENDING A GAME AT THE TROP THIS YEAR, AND I DON'T INTEND TO TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PITCHING MATCHUP:
TOR-RH Gustavo Chacin (12-8, 3.65)
Rays-LH Casey "Mac" Fossum (8-11, 4.84)
BREAKDOWN: I'm going to make this very quick because of time constraints. Taking the mound for the Jays is AL Rookie of the Year candidate Gustavo Chacin, and yes, he does look like a doufous with his goggles in that team photo. He has been on somewhat of a losing stretch since late July, as his seven inning win last time out against the Orioles was his first positive decision since that time. He didn't allow an Oriole into scoring position until the seventh, and surrendered just one run on four hits. Chacin is a perfect 3-0 vs. the Rays this year, having given up eight runs while striking out nine over 18 innings, or an average of six per start. Let's dim the ROY lights and set Chacin back a notch today!
Taking the mound for the Rays, and pitching effectively for the first time in a long while last time out is Casey "Mac" Fossum. It looked like Mac would have another poor start last time out after throwing 61 pitches over two innings to start off. He fell behind 3-0 in the process, but then threw just 49 pitches over the next four innings and the Rays eventually won the game 4-3. This will be Mac's 22nd straight start since being promoted from the bullpen.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The bottom line is, I've gotta leave! Nah, I have a few more minutes here. Anyways, the Blue Jays and Rays should be fun to watch today. The Rays have not gotten swept in any home series since the All-Star break, and don't expect the Rays to let that streak end without a fight. Anyways, if the Rays can knock Chacin off the ROY trail by bombing him tonight, it would give Jonny Gomes an increased opportunity to win the award. From a team perspective, the Rays can wave bye bye to the Blue Jays as this is the two teams' last meeting of 2005. See you at Al Lang or Grant Field in '06! Anyways, let's hope for the best, and don't y'all be traitors. Come out to the ballpark and watch us, don't sit inside watching the Bucs lose (though I admit, I will be listening to Gene Deckerhoff on the radio). Let's hope for the best.
GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!