News
Rays excited to return home after bad trip
Tampa Bay (74-73) vs. Toronto (66-80), 7:38 p.m. ET
By Bill Chastaint / MLB.com
09/18/09 12:25 AM ET
BALTIMORE -- James Shields left for home a little early on Thursday so he could be well rested for his Friday night start.No doubt the right-hander had plenty of teammates wishing they could join him based on the way the road trip has gone. Over the course of almost two weeks, the Rays have seen any hopes of getting back into the pennant race dashed.
The Rays' road record this season (31-47) is nowhere near their 40-41 road mark of 2008, which is a major reason for this season's demise. Tropicana Field should feel like an old friend for them, as they open a five-game homestand against the Blue Jays and Mariners.
Entering Thursday night's contest in Baltimore, the Rays were playing 233 percentage points better at home than on the road, which represents the third-greatest home-road differential in the Major Leagues behind the Pirates (+257) and Tigers (+241). And the Rays 43-26 (.623) record at Tropicana Field is the sixth-best home record in the Majors.
Since the beginning of the 2008 season, the Rays have a 100-50 home record, which is the second best mark in baseball behind the Red Sox.
Returning to Tropicana Field on Friday night, Tampa Bay hopes to begin laying a foundation for the 2010 season. Fortunately for the Rays, they will play 12 of their final 15 games at Tropicana Field. After a three-game set in Texas following the coming homestand, they will host the Orioles for four games and the Yankees for three in the season's final week.
Toronto shares a similar plight with Tampa Bay. The Jays will be trying to find something they can build on for the 2010 season. The two teams have played 200 times in 12 years, and the Blue Jays lead the series with a 103-97 mark. The Rays have an 11-4 record against the Blue Jays this season, which is the Rays' most victories over an opponent in 2009.
Pitching matchupTB: RHP James Shields (9-11, 4.03 ERA)
Shields took his 11th loss of the season Sunday despite giving the Rays yet another quality start. The right-hander has been a hard-luck pitcher all season, but he remains the best battler on the staff. The right-hander's changeup was particularly effective against the Red Sox, as evidenced by his six strikeouts. Shields is 5-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 12 career starts against the Blue Jays; he is 23-14 with a 3.36 ERA in 58 career starts at Tropicana Field. TOR: RHP Scott Richmond (6-9, 5.03 ERA)
Since returning from the 15-day disabled list on July 31, following a bout with a sore right shoulder, Richmond has endured a handful of rough outings for the Jays. Over seven starts during that period, the rookie right-hander has gone 0-4 with an 8.17 ERA, allowing a .323 opponents' batting average. On Saturday in Detroit, Richmond picked up a no- decision after giving up six runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Tidbits
Fernando Perez left Thursday night's game against the Orioles with a sore left wrist, but the injury is not thought to be serious. ... Award winners from the Rays' farm system will be announced during a pregame ceremony Friday night, and a Jeff Niemann poster will be handed out to the first 7,500 fans. ... On Thursday night, the Stone Crabs fell 5-2 to Tampa in the fifth and deciding game of the Florida State League Championship. ... Sean Rodriguez and Matt Joyce are the most likely candidates to be called up once Triple-A Durham's season is finished. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• Sun Sports On radio
• WDAE 620 Up next
• Saturday: Rays (Matt Garza, 7-10, 3.84) vs. Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 12-8, 4.22), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Rays (David Price, 8-7, 4.60) vs. Blue Jays (Roy Halladay, 15-9, 3.03), 1:38 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
