For starters, Rays vs Rangers

Update 6:45 p.m. Amidst all the All-Star reactions and such, one person not to be left out is LHP J.P. Howell, whom manager Joe Maddon said deserved to make the team, but couldn't due to a number's crunch, etc.

Howell said Maddon talked to him about it before Saturday's game, said he understands.

"I wouldn't want to be in his shoes picking all these guys," Howell said. "He definitely had a tough decision to make. He took the time to do it and made the right decision. Like I said, I'm glad I'm not him.'

There is a chance Howell could make the team, in the case of an injury, etc.

"Either way, it's ok, it's not the end of the world," Howell said. "It's definitely something you always want to do as a kid. It's just one of those things you gotta let it go, and move on."

**

Several Rays should be in a good mood today, with four players making the AL All-Star team (Evan Longoria, Jason Bartlett, Ben Zobrist and Carl Crawford).

But Tampa Bay will also be trying to avoid a three-game sweep today by the resurgent Rangers, as RHP Matt Garza will take the mound.

Garza had some memorable outings here last season, from his complete-game two hit shutout to his rough start that included a heated exchange with Dioner Navarro.

Upton cf
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Pena 1b
Zobrist 2b
Burrell dh
Gross rf
Bartlett ss
Navarro c 
 





-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Mike in Tampa, where did we blame Maddon for everything? You've blamed Maddon for his ways your last few posts than we have in the past month. Try reading the posts we posted and the blog, we actually didn't blame Maddon, and put it on the players. Read before speaking..

http://www.joemaddonsucks.com/2009/07/maddon-now-managing-like-winner.html

http://www.joemaddonsucks.com/2009/07/rays-maddon-need-sense-of-urgency.html

In our earlier post in this thread it says Maddon can't be blamed for all these things, the players aren't doing their jobs.

[mike in tampa]

JMS- you cant keep blaming Maddon for EVERYTHING. He puts people out there and they are not performing. That game last night falls on the shoulders of Garza and the rest of the players, not Joe.

I agree that he should not have rested Niemann, but it is not his fault that the pitchers can't pitch and the hitters can't hit.

I blame Navarro and Burrell more for the lack of success than MAddon.....BUT, I will say that Joe does bear some responsibility for continuing to put NAvarro out there. I think Navi is the WORST catcher in MLB, offensively and defensively.

Burrell is a liability, and it really pi$$es me off that the journalists and sports writers arent asking more questions about it. Most of his hits this year are to RIGHT field, not left. His bat speed is slower than dirt and he cant hit a breaking ball to save his life. His swing follows the exact same path every time, there is no effort to adjust to a ball up in the zone or down and in. Alot like Pena, except that Pena makes contact sometimes.

Sooner or later, this Navarro crap has got to end. HE has had 70 games to break out of his "slump"......so, when is it not a slump anymore, and just a bad baseball player??????????

Navarro and Burrell are liabilities. I am beginning to wonder about Jim Hickey also, the pitchers continue making the same mistakes OVER and OVER and OVER again.....doesn't he go over this stuff on off days? Like, how to pitch up and in on someone?

[tbird]

When you break down this team, compare it to last year's team, they are basically the same team, with more experience. Do we miss Jackson? Do we miss Floyd and Hinske? Have to say we do miss Jackson and wish he were still here. Perhaps Joyce will fit the bill someday but not now. I also think our success last year, great as it was, may have been come too soon and unexpectedly. The reason I say that is we are expecting the same success with this team. Last year everything worked out, everyhting was properly aligned for whatever reasoning you want to use. This year it isn't working, the clutch hits aren't there, the miracle comebacks aren't as evident, the starting pitching isn't nearly as good, etc. Perhaps what we have here is what it appears to be--an average team; average pitching, average offense with above average speed and above average relief pitching= a good team, an average team, not a great team and probably not a pennant contender. It is what it is..

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Any doubts about Nolan Ryan's impact on the Rangers pitching still? Guys on the Rangers don't have to worry about getting pulled under 100 pitches, and they are flourishing lately. Rays got swept, adn yet they are the better team. So much for not pitching Niemann, it backfired again..4 in a row and counting, oh but no worries, Mr. Inconsistent Big Game Shields will pitch 2 of the next 6 games at home. Our stopper has been Niemann when they had losing streaks, now what Maddon?

[mike in tampa]

turn=turd.....you get the point.

[mike in tampa]

Navarro/Burrell= Worthless turds. What an incredible waste of money. Package them together for a minor leaguer, or a pack of Nathan's Franks, or a few extra batting practice balls, or whatever.

Let Hernandez get behind the plate, put Aybar at DH, and stop this insanity. You cant keep putting a turn out there and expecting it to turn into a diamond.

[galloway84]

This is ridiculous. Losing to a bad Rangers pitching staff with the GREAT Hunter,Holland and Feldman in their rotation. Garza looking terrible each of the first four innings the leadoff man is on base and result of a run scored. BAD PITCHING WITH BAD DEFENSE don't forget BAD AB's. HOLY CRUD Double Play on a line drive or soft liner.BAD BAD BAD!! I have a bad filling that Maddon is managing to get to the All Star instead of managing the Rangers, Blue Jays and A's series. This year, when I see Hickey come to the mound, it winds up to be disaster. Hickey has to go. Overrated pitching coach.

[joemaddonsucks.com]

I hear ya T-Bird, they are just playing poorly overall in all facets, adn can't blame Maddon for all of this, but it doesn't make sense to change your pitching lineup every week, and keep playing guys that are struggling, instead of letting Aybar play a game at each postion to give all of them a break. Also Longo looks bad at 3rd, he clearly isn't the All-Star we saw he first 6 weeks with his hamstring. Maybe he should DH and let Aybar get some atbats at 3rd. Maddon rested all these guys early when they were hot, and now that they need rest he plays them injured and when they aren't hitting. Frustrating, but even then the players have to do their jobs, and they all clearly are just not doing it this season. Seems the pitching goes good then hitting stinks. Bullpen gets good, then starting pitching goes south, just aren't clicking. Even in the 7 game streak, they weren't scoring alot of runs, they actually were winning close games, and for some reason they took the last week's pitchers too lightly, and they are paying for it now. I'm dreading the Jays coming in to the Trop after being swept, they are going to be trying to take out the Rays. Granted the Rays look like they will be swept, but they aren't playing with any urgency. Rangers walk off win against the Angels sparked them on to take out the Rays, the Rays just don't have that spark, they look listless and sloppy. Frustrating, looked like they were turning the corner. They can't catch up this year if they don't win 5 of the 7 games at home, they simply won't be able to make up that kind of games against the other 2 teams. Any other division we'd have a great chance..

[tbird]

JMS, with the starting pitching as shaky as it has been lately and we are leaving runners on base with alarming regularity, it is an absolute cause for concern, especially when you are 7 or 8 games down in the loss column at the season half-way mark. Also, in the analysis by paralysis, the teams in front of us will either play better than they are or ownership will go out and fill the holes during trade period. Navarro leaving bases loaded, no contact. Burrell and Pena leaving tons on base seemingly every game is scary. This is kinda/sorta similar to last year when we went into the dive before the break--only difference was that we were leading the league and had been leading the league most of the way and could somewhat afford it--this year we can't afford any losses as the Sux and Yankers keep winning.

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Not a good start again tonite, hope the offense can actually score some runs, and Garza can shut it down the rest of the way. Rays really need this win. Yankees and Red Sox both came back again to win, they can't keep giving away games to inferior pitching. Go Rays