For starters, Rays vs Rangers

The Rays, fresh off their off day, will take on the Rangers tonight in the first of a three-game series.

It's all about 95 degrees and sunny here at the Rangers Ballpark - and I'm sure it'll get hotter - but tonight's starter LHP Scott Kazmir - a Houston, Tex native - is sure used to that.

Kazmir will be making his second start since coming off the disabled list - where he rehabbed a right quad strain and reworked his mechanics. He was encouraged with how his first outing went, when he gave up just two earned runs over five innings.

Kazmir is 4-0 in seven career starts against the Rangers with a 2.09 ERA, his second lowest ERA against an opponent (Seattle, 1.53).

RAYS
Upton, cf

Crawford, lf

Longoria, 3b

Pena, 1b

Zobrist, 2b

Burrell, dh

Gross, rf

Bartlett, ss

Navarro, c

RANGERS

Kinsler, 2b

Young, 3b

Byrd, cf

Jones, lf

Blalock, dh

Cruz, rf

Saltalamacchia, c

Davis, 1b

Andrus, ss

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[tbird]

JMS, best watch the negative thoughts as I have been scolded for pointing out the obvious. I was gonna rail on Burrell again but have to be nice and say he is trying really really hard but he isn't there right now but is coming around. Yikes! Right now is right as he couldn't hit a high school yakker right now and the message is all over the AL, "Burrell can't hit a breaking ball"...Drat, there I go again, not being artificially nice to someone. Not a worry though, ater all, we do score more runs than anyone, right?

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Wow, the offense has suddenly gone out, and the 2 errors for 2 runs, how critical were those. Kaz did a good job, too bad the defense and offense is letting them down. Burrell is killing the lineup. BJ took 2 months, but Burrell has had 3 months, still no results, Aybar was doing well, but Burrell has got to be due any day, but if he doesn't come thorugh soon, you have to wonder how long he gets a chance to get right. Navarro simply can't catch anything that isn't right down the middle all season, did it again, now Nelson walks two guys. Just a garbage game overall, hopefully the offense can get them back in it tonight. So much for gaining any ground, the last 2 games the Rays are making too many mistakes. Nice to see Maddon yank relievers quickly now instead of letting them go so long and get torched. Nothing more he can do, the players just aren't getting it done the past 2 games. Go Rays..

[WTF]

Good time for us to have another winning streak as the Stanks beat the Jays today.

Get 'em Scotty!

Go Rays!