Apparently people still play baseball on the same day as the MLB draft. Who knew!
The Rays visit the Angels tonight as they continue the west coast road trip. The next three games will be a welcomed break as the Rays have not faced a sub .500 team in three weeks. During those three weeks the Rays won a mere seven games while the Halos nabbed nine. At that time last month the Rays lead the AL East by three games, now they are four back and in third place. An ebb and flow is to be expected, but a fall from first to third is unsettling to hear. Even still, four wins is not insurmountable and facing the Angels could be just what the doctor ordered.
The Angels have not lost a game in which they scored five runs since May 2, so limiting the Halo bats will be crucial. Luckily, the Rays will put their best three starters on the mound this series with David Price on the hill tonight. In his last appearance Price was backed by a silent offense as the Rays were shutout in the Trop. This was the first time on the season Tampa posted less than three runs behind Price.
The Rays have posted less than four runs in seven of their last ten games and will need more offense to top LA. They will face the Angel's number five starter Tyler Chatwood tonight before Jarred Weaver and Dan Haren. The latter two are a threat, but taking two of three is not too much to ask.
The Lineup:
Damon DH
Zobrist 2B
Joyce RF
Longoria 3B
Kotchman 1B
Ruggiano CF
Jaso C
Fuld LF
Brignac SS(mlb.com)
Game Notes
- Chatwood shutout Kansas City almost eight innings in his last start but did not receive a decision. He allowed only one homerun in the month of May and could hold off the slumbering Rays lumber.
- Longoria is back in the lineup. He tweaked his side a couple days ago and entered yesterday's game as a pinch hitter. Tonight he returns in the clean up role in hopes of returning to his hot streak at the plate.