Philadelphia (4-1) at RAYS (3-2)
1:05; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg
NO TV/RADIO
Pitching Matchup
RH Ryan Madison, LH Eude Brito, RH Yoel Hernandez, LH Arthur Rhodes
The Bottom Line
Like I said, I don't know enough about who is supposed to go after Fossum to really say for sure what to look for. However as we near the close of our first week of games, I'd keep a closer eye on some of the prospects. Minor League Camp starts tomorrow, and several prospects without a chance at making the team may be reassigned, so the next few days may be your last shot at seeing them in major league spring training. Also, Mike Rose, Shawn Camp, Tim Corcoran, and some of the other terrible performers need to get their act together if they want to stay in major league camp.
Question of the Day
As I mentioned, the forthcoming departure of prospects from the team means that the spotlight will be on them. As they head out the door, can they make an impression like Chris Seddon did last year with Lou Pinella? Also, will some of those underperformers play better? As we near the first cutdown, the fringe players will need to show that they are worth something to stay aboard.
Upcoming Gmaes
Wednesday-at Phillies in Clearwater (Kazmir)
Thursday-vs. Braves in St. Pete (McClung)
Friday-vs. Blue Jays in St. Pete (Jackson)
GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!
Philadelphia (4-1) at RAYS (3-2)
1:05; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg
NO TV/RADIO
Rays Reads
Well, you can't win 'em all. In front of an Al Lang Field record crowd of 6,611, the Rays dropped an 8-7 decision to Boston. Jonny Gomes hit his second home run in as many days, and Julio Lugo also connected in the losing effort. The Sox used a four inning span totalling seven runs to take the lead back over the Rays, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Lugo and Wes Bankston each went 2 for 2, with Lugo adding a RBI and two runs scored, and Bankston a run scored and a triple. Carl Crawford, playing in his first spring game, Gomes, and Aubrey Huff drove in the other Devil Ray runs in roughing up Josh Beckett in his Red Sox debut. Crawford also stole a base and doubled, and Travis Lee and B.J Upton also added two baggers. Top prospect Delmon Young also stole two bases.
Doug Waechter worked two perfect innings on the hill, but Travis Harper gave up two earned in two innings, and Chad Harville gave up five earned in 1.2 innings in taking the loss. Bart Miadich, Travis Driskill, and Chad Orvella all shut out Boston hitters in their stints, and Jesus Colome yielded one more run in the losing effort.
-LHP Mark Henrickson, who has an injured femur, was supposed to have a bullpen session yesterday...The Rays and the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center have agreed to a multiyear sponsership pact that will include stadium signage.
Pitching Matchup
RH Ryan Madison, LH Eude Brito, RH Yoel Hernandez, LH Arthur Rhodes
Breakdown
The Rays have stopped announcing their bullpen probables for the game, leaving us a much smaller window to determine the usefullness of the game from a player evaluation standpoint. The Rays go with Casey Fossum today as the spring rotation makes its first trip around the track. Fossum started the first game of the spring last week in Dunedin vs. Toronto. There is nothing much to be garnered here, as he is already assured of a rotation spot, but the Phils might be interesting to scout, just to see how Arthur Rhodes does in his first game in a Phillie uniform.
The Bottom Line
Like I said, I don't know enough about who is supposed to go after Fossum to really say for sure what to look for. However as we near the close of our first week of games, I'd keep a closer eye on some of the prospects. Minor League Camp starts tomorrow, and several prospects without a chance at making the team may be reassigned, so the next few days may be your last shot at seeing them in major league spring training. Also, Mike Rose, Shawn Camp, Tim Corcoran, and some of the other terrible performers need to get their act together if they want to stay in major league camp.
Question of the Day
As I mentioned, the forthcoming departure of prospects from the team means that the spotlight will be on them. As they head out the door, can they make an impression like Chris Seddon did last year with Lou Pinella? Also, will some of those underperformers play better? As we near the first cutdown, the fringe players will need to show that they are worth something to stay aboard.
Upcoming Gmaes
Wednesday-at Phillies in Clearwater (Kazmir)
Thursday-vs. Braves in St. Pete (McClung)
Friday-vs. Blue Jays in St. Pete (Jackson)
GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!