Baldelli gets the start

The Rays begin a three-game series against another first-place team - the White Sox - here at U.S. Cellular Field.

And with the Sox sending lefthander John Danks to the mound, the Rays are loading up on righthanded hitters (or switch-hitters).

Rocco Baldelli will start at DH, getting his first at-bats in about a week.

RAYS

Iwamura 2B
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Baldelli DH
Aybar 3B
Zobrist LF
Navarro C
Gross RF
Bartlett SS
Jackson P

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[jeff]

ROCKIN' WITH ROCCO

[JB]

Joe's a total undercover jackass Yankme fan.

[9equals8.com]

It's not even worth dignifying his comment with a response, in my opinion.

[Craig]

Hey Joe, what was the date of Rocco's failed drug test? I mean, you wouldn't keep posting accusations about steroids if you didn't have some proof, right?

http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_sox09_03-09-08_VQ9AB7F_v11.2f76b21.html

[9equals8.com]

Don't accuse me of being a prophet (but do look at the first comment on this article ;) ). Nice game, Rocco, I couldn't be happier for the guy. The guys on this team really step up and make things happen (last night's heros - Rocco, Ben, Willy - are not even starters!). Give Carlos a LOT of credit for breaking the dam with his HR last night at a key point in the game. It seems lately that his leadership at the plate is driving this team (the HRs don't hurt either). How about Balfour coming in a totally shutting down the big beef of the Sox lineup with 2 on? And what can you say about Aybar - lighting it up consistently at the plate and playing solid defense (his first error since subbing for Longo was a silly foul out and JP picked him up). This team is amazing to me and I am really enjoying the ride. Go Rays!

[Joe]

Maybe Baldelli is taking the steroids again.

[JB]

If experience won divisions, the Yankees and Red Sox would be tied for first with the Rays 25 games out.

[Brian]

Anyone happy out there? We just beat another first place team, on the road. Take it to'em boys, let's win another road series! Let's will the hurricanes away and rock The Pit when they get back.

[Dave]

Give credit EJ for pitching tough. He walked too many batters but his control was sharp - just a little too focused on the edges. EJ pitching last year would have left the 4th inning down 4-0.

EJ is getting better and better.

Baldelli's homer should shut the Baldelli haters up. The kid can still hit.

[chux2]

I remember a lot of negative comments about Zobrist earlier in the year. That man has got some power. He is a very valuable addition to the team. I admit, Joe M. has been much better than I thought he would be. I wanted Bill Evers to be the man. Crow doesn't taste so bad.

[ben/gabe]

I happen to think we played one hell of a game and we got some timely hits, even though our names haven't hit this blog. someone even called me Gross the other night. Stop it!!

[CJ]

Ummmm guys, Rays won, so stop the Maddon/Rocco/Balfour hate fest.

[DunkinBoy]

Rays win!! It's Dunkin time baby! They had the HR bats out tonight.

[JB]

Good call about Rocco, Mr. Anonymous poster...good thing Joe followed your advice and pich hit for Rocco..Oh Wait...Rocco hit a home run...Apologize

Can anyone explain Maddon's strange fascination with Rocco Baldelli? Here we have a one-run lead in the seventh with Hinske and Floyd available to pinch hit. Just don't understand as Baldelli has to be fatigued.

[JeffC]

Can anyone explain why, with the Rays in 1st place in the AL East, people on this blog are questioning Maddon's decsion making?

[Andy]

Hooray Rocco! Boo negative people!

[dick]

Can anyone explain Maddon's infaturation with Bradford. Here he has the lead in the 7th with Balfour, Howell, Wheeler, and Miller available and he uses Bradford to start the inning. Just don't understand as this guy is very hittable. Wonder why he hasn't gone to JP lately??

[Bill]

If Brian Anderson is a color commentator for the Rays, then I'm a jet pilot. What's with the admiration of Danks? If I want that I'll listen to the White Sox broadcast.

[Bill]

That was a bad play by Ruggiano. The last game was the perfect storm for a loss.....bad call at first by the ump, Ruggiano missing the fly ball, Hinske getting thrown out at third stealing, Aki misplaying a play he'll make most f the time, to big hits by the Rays to the wall that was caught..........it happens.

[Rays News]

Ruggiano is a role player at best, he is 26 years old and unless he a late bloomer , I cant see him developing past where he is now, Crawford missing showed some in the last game, more than once. Still the boys are finding ways to win , Go Rays

[9equals8.com]

Ruggs will be back. He's a talented young guy that made a mistake. I'd rather see him own up to it as opposed to making some sort of elaborate (and hard to believe) excuse for a mental lapse, but he is young and still learning. He has a lot of potential, so I will cut the guy some slack at this point. Let's just hope we don't have to rely on him too much down the stretch.

[Joe]

Baldelli should start taking steroids again. He was a lot healthier before he stopped doping.

[Caleb]

I think it's safe to say Ruggiano has seen the last of his playing time for quite a while. You just can't do that in a pennant race, unless of course your nickname is "Man Ram".

[9equals8.com]

Would love to see Rocco break out for a big game tonight. It wouldn't surprise me as it seems to be a different role player stepping up to win big games. This series is big and 2 out of 3 would be huge coming back for a nice long home stretch. Just keep choppin', Rays!