Rays Review/Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays opened their home schedule with a bang...rocking the New York Yankees 15-5 in their home opener and BJ Upton's season debut. But the Yankees take the last 2 games of the series to win the series. Now the Chicago White Sox come to Tampa for a 4 game series that starts tonight. Probable pitching matchups are:

Thursday, April 16

CHW John Danks (0-0, 0.00) Danks threw 6 innings of shutout ball last Thursday vs. the Kansas City Royals in his season debut. In 2008, Danks was 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA against the Rays and is 3-1 lifetime.

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TPA Jeff Niemann (0-1, 10.13) Niemann had the season debut jitters on Saturday vs. the Baltimore Orioles, giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning, but after that, he didn't allow a run into the 5th. One career start against the White Sox - 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA.

Friday, April 17

CHW Bartolo Colon (1-0, 0.00) Colon threw 6 innings of shutout ball in the White Sox's 8-0 win versus the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Colon has a 9-2 record lifetime versus the Rays.

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TPA James Shields (1-1, 3.65) On Sunday, Shields held the Orioles to just 3 hits and no runs to even his record at 1-1. Shields is 0-1 in his regular season career against the Chi Sox, but he did win the opening game of the Division Series last Fall to help the Rays get their first playoff win in team history.


Saturday, April 18

CHW Mark Buerhle (1-0, 2.38) In Buerhle's last start, he went 6+ innings allowing only 1 run on 2 hits...masterful. Lifetime vs. the Rays...6-2 with a 4.24 ERA.

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TPA Scott Kazmir (2-0, 2.84) Kaz is off to a great start in '09 - he is one of a very few that won both of his starts to begin the season. Kazmir was 1-0 in 2008 vs. the White Sox with a 2.08 ERA.

Sunday, April 19

CHW Gavin Floyd (1-1, 6.00) Floyd was brilliant in his first start of the season, but picked up the loss. He fought his control in his 2nd start of the season, but was backed by plenty of run support and picked up the win - baseball is a funny game. He has never faced the Rays in the regular season, but did lose to them in Game 4 of the Division Series last fall.

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TPA Matt Garza (1-0, 1.93) Garza is 2 for 2 in quality starts on the young season, and has looked great in both outings. Garza is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 3 career starts versus the south siders.