Rays Wrap up 7 Game Homestand/Preview of Rays/M's Series

The Tampa Bay Rays first homestand of the season did not go as planned. They went 2-5 against the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox, plus to make things worse, centerfielder BJ Upton left Sunday's game in the 2nd inning with a strained right quad. He will be re-evaluated on Monday. The Rays allowed 44 runs during the 7 game homestand...and that is just not going to get it done. I think their are 2 big questions right now - #1 How long until playoff hero and pitching phenom David Price gets recalled and #2 Did Joe Maddon make the right call sending David to the minors to start the year...right now - it looks like Maddon has made a big mistake. Now the Rays head West for 9 games on the road, 3 each against the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins. Probable pitching matchups for the Mariners series are:

Tuesday April 21st

TPA Andy Sonnanstine (0-1, 6.52)Andy is 1-1 in 3 career starts versus the M's with an ERA of 2.66, but is 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA at Safeco Field.

vs.

SEA Jarrod Washburn (2-0, 1.29) Washburn has been very effective and also efficient in his first 2 starts of the year, and this is a very rare thing for a pitcher that never lived up to the hype. Look for the Rays to give Jarrod his first loss of the year on Tuesday night in Seattle.


Wednesday, April 22nd

TPA Jeff Niemann (0-2, 6.35) Niemann improved in his 2nd outing of the year, but still gave up 9 hits in 6 innings of work. He needs to continue to improve, or Mr. Price will be starting in this slot very soon. Jeff has never faced the M's.

vs.

SEA Chris Jakubauskas (1-1, 3.86) This 30 year old rookie has been pushed into the starting rotation while Ryan Rowland-Smith recovers from tricep tendinitis.


Thursday, April 23rd

TPA James Shields (2-1, 4.58) Shields is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 4 starts against the M's in his career. Plus he was 1-0 in Safeco last year.

vs.

Felix Hernandez (2-0, 4.26) In 5 starts versus the Rays in his career, Felix is 1-1 with a 2.54 ERA. Look for the Rays to get out of town quickly in this pitchers duel on getaway day.