Game Report 04/25/07; RAYS at Anaheim

RAYS at Anaheim
10:05; RAYS TV
RAYS RADIO/WHNZ 1250 AM

PITCHING MATCHUP:

RH Edwin Jackson, DEVIL RAYS:

Overview-Edwin Jackson takes to the hill for the Rays in making his fourth start of the season, and looks to avoid the control problems that plagued his last start at home against Cleveland. He surrendered only three runs over six innings in that effort, a quality start, but walked five. His season ERA coming into today's start is 6.75, and that certainly needs to improve with a win this time out. This will be Jackson's second ever start against the Angels; his first came in the Freeway series with the Dodgers in 2004.

Last Start-Jackson went six innings against the Cleveland Indians on Friday night surrendering only three runs, however the underlying peripheral stats indicate a shaky outing. He walked five batters, and combined with ten hits, he squeezed out of several jams that would have made his outing far worse. Still, in terms of runs given up and innings, it was his best start of the season, following up a poor outing in Minnesota against the Twins in which he was removed after three innings.

vs ANA-Jackson has made four appearances all-time against the Anaheim Angels, three in relief last year with the Rays and one as a starter in 2004 with Los Angeles. He pitched pretty poorly against the Angels in that one start, having been lifted after 1.2 innings while surrendering two runs on two walks and a hit. In his three appearances against the Angels last year, Jackson gave up a combined five runs over 2.2 innings of work, though just one of those runs was earned. No Angel has any sample size of appearances of Jackson that is of any consequence.

RH John Lackey, Anaheim:

Overview-Anaheim ace John Lackey opposes Jackson in this evening's matchup, making his fifth start of the year for Anaheim. Lackey continues to make strides as the top gun of the Anaheim staff, bettering himself statistically so far this year after a slight decline in 2006. So far this year he has a 2.55 ERA in slightly over 24 innings of work, though he has shown a tendency to get hit hard in the early going. He has pitched 198 innings or more in each of the last five seasons, and his health and success will be key for the Angels over the course of the season in their quest for an AL West title. He has fared slightly worse over his last two starts with Anaheim, however he has had a very successful career pitching against the Devil Rays.

Last Start-Lackey pitched seven innings last time out against division rival Oakland, surrendering three runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four. This follows up his worst start of the year against Boston, in which he was removed after 5.2 innings of work having spotted the Red Sox three runs on nine hits. He gave up just one earned run over 12 innings in his first two outings against Texas and Oakland.

vs RAYS-Predictably, and like seemingly every other AL ace, Lackey has an extraordinarily large track record of success against Tampa Bay that dates to his 2002 rookie campaign with the World Championship ballclub. He has made eight starts over the last five seasons against the ballclub, posting a cumulative 2.61 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP in 58.2 innings overall. He fared exceedingly better in his two starts against the Rays last year, surrendering just two runs in 17 innings of work, striking out 17 and walking just 3. A couple of Ray hitters have been able to hit off of Lackey, however, with Carl Crawford being 9 for 24 all-time off of the Angels' ace. Carlos Peña has also had success against Lackey, hitting two home runs and walking six times in 18 at bats.

STARTING LINEUPS:

GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!