For starters, Rays-Royals, with Aybar at second

UPDATE, 6:02: Manager Joe Maddon said he put Aybar at second because he wanted to get him some at-bats, and that it was a good opportunity to do so, figuring Scott Kazmir is primarily a fly ball pitcher to the difference in defense at second base between Aybar and Ben Zobrist won't be much of a factor. And he said he doesn't consider there to be a difference between Zobrist and Gabe Gross in rightfield.

He also said Dioner Navarro will return behind the plate Sunday, then be off again on Monday as the Rays seek to monitor him a bit.

NEWS: The Rays are looking to make it two straight against the Royals tonight.

They'll have a slightly different look against K.C. ace Zack Greinke, with Willy Aybar at second and Ben Zobrist in right.
 
As expected, Michel Hernandez will be behind the plate rather than Dioner Navarro.

The lineup:
Upton, cf
Crawford, lf
Longoria, 3b
Pena, 1b
Zobrist, rf
Burrell, dh
Aybar, 2b
Bartlett, ss
Hernandez, c
Kazmir, p

And for the Royals:
DeJesus lf
Bloomquist cf
Butler 1b
Guillen dh
Teahen rf
Olivo c
Gordon 3b
Callaspo 2b
Bentancourt ss
Greinke p

Comments

[tbird]

Agree, let's do like they did for the remaining slot on the all-star team--a write in or blog in to get WILLY AYBAR some more at bats--you have to have this guy's bat in the line-up..It took a long time for them to realize how valuable Zorilla is and we may very well have the same situation with AYBAR..

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Agree with the bunt, Longo hitting into another double play would have wasted it anyways, but they didn't know it at the time. Man between Pena's K's and Longo's D.Plays this year, they have been so unproductive since mid-May, except for last night. Carlos needs to pick it up, Longo looks like he is starting too. Aybar 4 hits tonight, go ahead RBI, hmmm, should he be getting more games at 1B? His error hurt alot, thankfully he made it up with a big hit. Pena is a great guy, but man he hasn't been clutch since May, maybe he will get hot for September.

[tbird]

Here we are, late in a 1-1 game and on the road. Your catcher (and 9th place hitter) leads off the inning with a double. Your lead-off man is up next, you are on the road, you have a slow runner on 2nd. Why, when runs are a premium in this type game (ON THE ROAD), don't you put in Kapler to pinch run, have Upton sacrifice, get the runner over the 3rd with one out and you've got CC and Longo coming up? I realize Upton isn't the best bunter in the world and telegraphs more than most but a sacrifice is a sacrifice, no hiding what you are attempting to do--just get the ball down and the runner over to 3rd. Maddon has to be the most stubborn manager in the majors when it comes to sacrifices as he just doesn't do it, regardless the situation. Whoa---what happened to Kaz?

[joemaddonsucks.com]

So many men on base, can't score still, Upton man oh man, how many times this year has he been picked off? This guy clearly is the premeir center fielder defensively, and his offense finally started to get better, but his K's and constant lackadaisical approach to running are just unnacceptable. I get that he is going to get caught once in awhile, but this guy constantly doesn't hustle on offense, and simply doesn't pay attention well enough. Frustrating to watch a guy with so much talent simply be lazy. In his mind I'm sure he thinks it is ok, but justify it away if he wants to, he clearly wastes alot of his talent by simply not hustling out every play. If he had Zobrist's hustle, BJ Upton might turn into a top 10 player in the league. Can't give him heart, he has to have it and want it bad enough to be better. This is why so many fans go back and forth on Upton, love him, then hate him. If he just gave the effort 99.9% of the time, their would be no argument. GO Rays..Grienke simply doesn't give up runs this year. Can't give him free outs on the basepaths. One more note, I think we all see why Hernandez isn't the starter. He is good defensively, but clearly is a backup catcher. Navarro has stunk it up this year with attitude and play, but he does have the talent, just no heart either. JASO will never be a starter in MLB, the Rays need a catcher, or need Navarro to grow up.

[tbird]

JMS, you forgot to point out the continuing stupid or lax or whatever you may want to call it, by Upton. for all the good he does sometimes, it is overshadowed by getting picked off first AGAIN.. Did you see the cameraman immediately zoom in on Maddon to get a facial response. He has to be leading the world on getting picked off base (I'm not counting steals or attempted steals). He manages a hit or a walk, his OBP improves and then he gives it away. In a game like today, facing this kid, you just cannot afford to give them a stupid out like that. Zobrist 2 for 2, Aybar 2 for 2...Pena two more K's thus far and there will probably be more. Can't keep winning playing this way and on a night when Kazmir looks like he was 2 years ago and that's great..

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Nice attempt to get some runs going against Greinke. Unfortunately with Kaz pitching, and giving back the lead the minute they give him one, unless they score lots of runs, it won't matter. Kaz just can't stop walking guys, he clearly isn't "fixed". Even if he pitches well the rest of the game, the Rays might not score again with Greinke, and you simply can't keep walking runners and letting them score. Go Rays, hope they can get this one today.

[Tim]

This is our best offensive line-up by far. Zobrist scares me a little in right but we'll see.

[Bud Lite]

This is the "BIG BAT" line up!!!
Gabe & Gabe, Navarro out!
See if works against one of the best AL
pitchers???

[WTF]

This is an interesting way to get Aybar ABs.