Those Impossible Dreaming Rays @ The Savoring Yankees 9/20-9/22

[Tobywan]

Probables
Davis VS Nova
Shields VS Sabathia/Hughes(seems they would likely go with CC against James)
Hellickson V Sabathia/Hughes
Niemann VS Colon


The Rays are trying to do the impossible to eke out a WC spot, the Yankees are trying to pad their lead in the AL East and would by virtue of pounding the Rays possibly seal another show down with their longer term division rivals in the post season.

These two clubs at the moment are kind of a mirror of each other, the Rays have strong pitching that at times has been hung out to dry by an inconsistent offense. The Yankees pitching is unusually weak but their offense is highly explosive and has muscled their way through in the second half of the season.


Win or lose at least the Rays have made it interesting in the final weeks of the season. Besides, I am relishing the arrival of the Evil Republic forcing the Evil Nation to do the umimaginable task of rooting for the Evil Empire if they want to keep their wild card hopes alive.



Tonight’s Match-ups

Wade Davis gave up 4 runs against the O’s last Wed. all on homers. This will be his first time facing the Yankees this season.

Ivan Nova gave up just one run in 7 1/3 against the Mariners on Wed. He hasn’t been a source of angst for manager Joe Girardi this season.



****The Rays will be without Ben Zobrist tonight and possibly tomorrow due to the birth of his daughter.

[Tobywan]

Line-ups


Rays

Jennings LF
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Damon DH
Kotchman 1B
Joyce RF
Rodriguez 2B
Shoppach C
Brignac SS


Yankees

Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Chavez 3B
Martin C
Gardner LF

[A'sDiehard]

Go Rays!! Oh I want the Red Sux to miss the postseason!

[Tobywan]

Jennings hits a rocket but right at Jeter.
Upton Flies out to center.
Longoria lifts one up and deep to right, Swish back and makes the grab.

[Tobywan]

Jeter walks.
Granderson pops out to third.
Teixeira down swinging.
Rodriguez walks.
Cano lifts a high pop to left foul territory, Jennings on the run and he makes the catch.


Davis gave up a lot pitches, if he doesn't settle could be an early night for him.

[Tobywan]

Damon loops a single into center.
Kotchman chop to the mound throw to second to get JD, Kotch reaches.
Joyce lines a rocket right at Teix, the tag of Kotch for 2, though I want to see a replay again on the tag.

[Tobywan]

Swisher doubles into left.
Chavez singles into right, Swish scores.
Martin lines a single into right.
Gardner bunts, Kotch with the ball throw to SRod covering and the call is safe. Bases loaded with no outs.
Jete down swinging.
Grandyman lines a double into right, Chavez scores, Martin to the plate, throw from Joyce not in time Gardner slides into home.
Teix grounds to first, Grandy to third.
ARod grounds to short.

That explosive offense takes a commanding lead early 4-0.

On to the third.

[Tobywan]

Rodriguez grounds out to pitcher.
Shoppach HBP.
Brignac flies out to center.
DJ grounds out to short, toss to second to get the force on Shop.

[Tobywan]

Cano grounds out to second.
Swish HBP.
Chavy singles into right.
Martin walks. Bases loaded.
Gardner flies out to center, too shallow for Swish to score.
Jete grounds to short, throw to second for the force on Martin.

[Tobywan]

BJ grounds out to third.
Longo loops a single into right.
JD flies out to right.
Kotch grounds a single through to right.
Matty J grounds out to second.

[Tobywan]

Grandy walks.
Teix with the shift on chops to Brignac throws to Longo covering second to get Grandy, no play at first.
ARod batting Teix goes to second on a WP. Alex pops out to shallow center.
Cano is walked intentionally.
Swish grounds to third, Longo steps on the bag to force Teix.

[Tobywan]

SRod singles into right.
Shop Ks swinging.
Brignac Ks looking.
DJ grounds out to short.

[Tobywan]

Chavy pops to third.
Martin flies out to left.
Gardner loops a single into center.
Jete singles, runners at the corners.

That's it for Davis.
Now pitching Cesar Ramos.

Grandy grounds to first Kotch dives for it, throw to Ramos is bobbled, he reaches as scores.
Teix walks.
ARod grounds out to first.

Yankees lead 5-0.

On to the 6th.

[Tobywan]

BJ lines a double up the third base line.
Longo grounds out to short, BJ to third.
JD pops out to right, Cano back and makes the catch.
Kotch walks.
Matty J Ks.

[Tobywan]

Cano doubles down the right field line.
Swish is intentionally walked.
Chavy Ks.


Now pitching De La Rosa.


Martin flies out to center.
Gardner chops to second, SRod steps on the bag for the force on Swish.