News
Rays look to rebound vs. Tigers
Tampa Bay (72-61) vs. Detroit (72-61), 7:38 p.m. ET
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
09/04/09 1:30 AM ET
ST. PETERSBURG -- Every series is magnified at this point of the season for any team still alive to reach the postseason, so this weekend's series at Tropicana Field against the Tigers is huge for the Rays.All any fan of the home team can ask is that their team is playing significant games in September, and the Rays should be doing just that until the end as they fight to become the American League Wild Card winner.
The Tigers leads the AL Central and Tampa Bay faces them at a particularly dangerous time -- sandwiched between series with division rivals, New York and Boston. On the surface, there would appear to be ample opportunity for the Rays to get caught looking ahead to their upcoming four-game series in the Bronx followed by three games at Fenway Park. However, manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe there will be any sort of letdown.
"I don't think so, I really don't, I don't anticipate that," Maddon said. "I'd be really surprised. Right now, it doesn't matter who shows up, we're going to play the same game. I really believe that."
The Rays and Tigers recently split a four-game set in Detroit and will complete their entire seven-game season series over a 10-day span. Last weekend's series in Detroit was the latest into any season Tampa Bay faced a scheduled club for the first time in a season.
Friday night will see an encore of Sunday's performance between Jeff Niemann and Justin Verlander that resulted in a 4-3 Tigers win. Saturday will see No. 1 starter James Shields try to continue his winning vibe at the Trop. And no Rays fan will want to miss Sunday's contest that will feature right-hander Edwin Jackson facing his former mates for the first time as he goes against Tampa Bay's top pitching prospect, Wade Davis, who will make his Major League debut.
The Rays have won six of their past seven games played against the Tigers at Tropicana Field and Tampa Bay has its second-best record against any AL opponent against Detroit at 44-42 (.512); the team's best record against an AL opponent is against Kansas City (56-42).
Making this series even more compelling is the fact the Tigers are fighting to hold their spot atop the AL Central as the Twins remain a close second.
Pitching matchupTB: RHP Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.80 ERA)
Niemann looked dominant against the Tigers on Sunday, holding them to two runs on five hits in seven innings, but he received a no-decision when Detroit came from behind against Tampa Bay's bullpen to win. The right-hander's fastball command -- which included a nasty two-seamer -- set up his breaking pitches nicely against the Tigers. Because Niemann stands 6-foot-9, his arm action creates a difficult downward angle for opposing hitters. DET: RHP Justin Verlander (15-7, 3.38 ERA)
Verlander moved into a tie for the AL lead in wins by overcoming a three-run Rays rally to last eight innings Sunday at Comerica Park. Now Tampa Bay gets a rematch at Tropicana Field, giving Verlander back-to-back starts against the same opponent for just the second time this season. The other occasion came in May against Cleveland, and Verlander held the Tribe to one run over seven innings at Comerica Park before he tossed a two-hit shutout five days later. He's 7-6 with a 4.73 ERA over 16 career regular-season starts in September and October. Tidbits
Akinori Iwamura did not start Thursday night's game, but he was pressed into action in the fifth inning when B.J. Upton left with a sprained left ankle. Maddon said Iwamura felt a little soreness in his left knee after Wednesday night's game, but the manager added that Iwamura would be in the lineup Friday night. "I have to be mindful he's coming off [left knee] surgery," Maddon said. "And I know he's said he wants to play. [He] said he was fine, but I want him to be well for the rest of the year." ... The Rays had a team meeting prior to batting practice on Thursday to discuss the theme for the coming road trip to New York, Boston and Baltimore. Among the current choices are plaid -- ala Herb Tarlek from WKRP in Cincinnati fame; suits and ties -- a business trip or camouflage, an idea endorsed by the hunters on the team. ... Evan Longoria's RBI double Thursday night gave him 27 RBIs against Boston for the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that's the most RBIs vs. the Red Sox in a single season since 1960, when Baltimore rookie Ron Hansen drove in 28 runs against them. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
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• Official game notes On television
• Sun Sports On radio
• WFLA 970 Up next
• Saturday: Rays (James Shields, 9-10, 3.86) vs. Tigers (Jarrod Washburn, 9-8, 3.55), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Rays (Andy Sonnanstine, 6-8, 6.62) vs. Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 11-6, 3.09), 1:38 p.m. ET
• Monday: Rays (Andy Sonnanstine, 6-8, 6.62) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett, 10-8, 4.29), 1:05 p.m. ET
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Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
