Kazmir's start pushed back to Monday

Update 5:55 p.m. Ace LHP Scott Kazmir will make his first start of the second half of the season on Monday, his outing pushed back two days by the Rays who wanted to err on the side of caution after Kazmir's innning of work in the All-Star game.

Matt Garza will start Saturday, with Edwin Jackson going Sunday.

*In other pre-game news, Rays owner Stu Sternberg - in attendance for this weekend's series - gave a brief, five-minute speech to the Rays before batting practice.

Though he didn't go into detail on his talk, Sternberg said afterward that baseball is a cyclical game - in respect to the recent seven-game losing streak - and that he's been proud of what the club has accomplished so far.

"You look at them one at a time," Sternberg said. "There were a number of games in there that we got beat but we played very well. There were a couple games we had an opportunity to win - and we've been fortunate to be on the other side of alot of those games this year. It's gonna happen. The game flows and ebbs..If we had won two of them, we're 2-5 and it wouldn't be as much of an issue."

Sternberg, who said his visit was planned far in advance, said the club is looking to be "opportunistic" at the trade deadline, but reiterated the Rays won't force any move.

*Closer Troy Percival said he's feeling great, though he'll get checked out by Dr Koco Eaton before tonight's game for further re-evaluation. SS Jason Bartlett is improving as well, but the exact date of his return is still in question.

The Rays, refreshed from the All-Star break, will try to snap their seven-game losing streak tonight against the Jays.

The second-place Rays begin a stretch of six straight games at home, where they are 36-14 this season.

They are likely to throw out their top three pitchers in the three-game set vs the Jays, with James Shields going tonight, Matt Garza Saturday against All-Star Roy Halladay. It will likely be decided this afternoon whether ace Scott Kazmir starts Sunday or Monday, as the club pushed his first outing of the second half back due to his appearance in the All-Star game.

RHP Al Reyes, who's been on the disabled list for over a month, will be activated before today's game and could see his first action since June 9.

With large crowds expected, the Rays have activated the Baseball Shuttle System for Friday and Saturday, picking up fans at Central and Second St S.. Judging by the current rainstorm downtown, it might not be a bad idea...

(Pictured: Scott Kazmir. Photo -- Getty Images. Click to enlarge.)

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Longoria, 3b

Floyd, dh

Navarro, c

Hinske, rf

Zobrist, ss

JAYS
Inglett, 2b

Scutaro, ss

Rios, cf

Stairs, dh

Barajas, c

Overbay, 1b

Rolen, 3b

Wilkerson, rf

Lind, lf

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[jeff]

ROCKN' WITH KAZMIR

[No you didn't]

Dick no fun.

[dick]

Sorry that stats and baseball reasoning are raining on your parade. You have me wrong (I am more of a Rays fan than most of you would be wanna be's)..If you have a flat tire, you normally fix it--the Rays need fixing and no, I'm not jumping up and down with elation after such an offensive display against a last place team unfolded with such a great hitter as Ben Zobrist doing the honors. This team managed five (5) hits. So, if the truths that I point out bother you--talk to your hand.

[Magrane]

I'm optimistic that Homer (now dick hit the nail on the head) will learn, as Joba will, that the fat in the belly leads to atherosclerosis which leads to heart and other problems. Like the Yankees, that fat boy will succumb.

[dick hit the nail on the head]

dick is right. your team is pathetic. Enoy the 2-1 win against a team that called it a season a month ago.

Joba for CY YOUNG

[Magrane]

I'm optimistic that Dick will come around - he's got a lot of talent.

[anti-dick]

I bet Dick is jumping up and down on his couch now, blowing kisses to his 3 cats, and wishing - praying even - that the team will take him on such an emotion (and statistically intellectual) journey every night, so that he can bash the Rays at the beginning and love his cats at the end and rejoice, rejoice, rejoice.

[no more dick]

Chill out, everyone. Christ! Try to be the alcohol abusers who become more gentile with more beers. The Rays will come around. Like life, baseball is full of ups and downs.

[dick]

Joe---thanks much for the data. Those of us that watch the Rays on a regular basis and are die hard fans are frustated with what we are witnessing; that is, a team that probably played well over their heads the first half but are still very much in the hunt BUT cannot continue to win with mirrors and a different "star" every night. The present line-up is simply not competitive, regardless what type pitching they get. Maddon's loyalty or stubborness with Upton and in particular, Pena is hurting the team. Again, tks for the strikeout info..

[Joe Smith]

Dick

To answer your question, the Rays entered Friday's game with the third-highest strikeout total in the AL (694), behind only Oakland (703) and Texas (711)

Joe

[homer]

8 game losing streak, alive and well.

Joba for CY YOUNG!

[dick]

how come so few comments? Magrane says they needed the break; perhaps Magrane's optimistic eyes need a break. He is continually saying ill advised stuff like "Carlos is coming around", "BJ needs to be more patient"..Finally, CC gets back in the swing, makes contact but gets picked off..Probably made no difference as the "great" Upton whiffs again--does anyone out there have any stats that show how they fare in strikeouts for the entire league? I would venture to say that Pena and Upton rank right up there with anyone and Maddon must face the facts and do something with this line-up, if he continues to play the same guys. You cannot have your 3rd and 4th hitters striking out with the frequency these guys are and hope to stay competitive.

[dick]

they look the same to me, from the offense to the coach. Two guys on, Upton (who hasn't hit a ball in many moons) up and you would think most managers would attempt a sacrifice to get the runners in scoring position..Nope, what some people call talent looks at a 3rd strike (as usual) and if you look at his swing, it is stiff, awkward and someone needs to correct him soon (unless that would disrespect him) -- Good thing Pena is a great glove cuz he shure as hell can't hit this year and it appears last year was a career year and a fluke. By not sacrificing, Maddon cost the team at least one run already.

[Sternberg]

Sternberg and everyone should realize that the team needs love more than anything else.

[Let's go]

Here we go, go, go, go, go. Let's win Rays! Hurrah!