Back on the field...
The Rays return to action Friday with all active players available, which hasn't necessarily been the case. But with a day game Wednesday and Thursday off, everyone seems rested and healthy. CF Rocco Baldelli is in the lineup and is expected to play again Saturday, then take Sunday off to rest his troublesome hamstrings.
LHP Scott Kazmir is set to make his first start since July 23. Manager Joe Maddon said Kazmir won't be on a hard pitch count, but will be watched closely for any signs of trouble relating to the shoulder inflammation that landed him on the DL.
Maddon is trying to take advantage of what hots bats the Rays have, slotting Greg Norton in the cleanup spot. Friday's lineup includes Baldelli, Carl Crawford, Jorge Cantu, Norton, Travis Lee, Dioner Navarro, Jonny Gomes, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist.
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and Scott Kazmir, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
CONTINUE .. BACK ON THE FIELD. FOR FRIDAY THE LINEUP WAS ROCCO,CC,CANTU,NORTON,LEE,NAVARRO,GOMES,UPTON & ZOBRIST. LETS FORWARD TO 2007 HERE: ROCCO,YOUNG,CC,CANTU,LONGORIA,WITT, GOMES,ZOBRIST,AND NAVARRO. THIS LINEUP WOULD MAKE UPTON THE UTILITY [OF]AND HAVE WIGGS THE UTILITY [INF]. UPTON IS GOOD BUT WE NEED LONGORIA AT 3RD TO GET HIS POWER BAT IN THE LINEUP.
THIS MAKES A VERY INTERESTING GROUP.
Posted by: richie ricardo | August 12, 2006 at 10:16 AM