SP David Price stepped onto the mound and into trouble from the start in game 1 of this 2008 World Series rematch against the Phillies. Price was rocked in the first inning allowing 6 runs on 40 pitches including a 3 run blast by John Mayberry. Price ran into another crooked number in the 4th inning by giving up another 4 runs. Price again showed he had no “put away” pitch which is a very big disappointment. He got out ahead and ran counts to 2 strikes then hung a pitch that clearly was not working, slider, over the heart of the plate for batting practice. I am a bit perplexed as to WHY Price and C Dioner Navarro continued to throw the slider whilst it was getting hammered! If Navi was calling for it Price should have shook him off! If Price was shaking off Navi to get to it Navi should have ran out to the mound and told him to forget that pitch for tonight! Where the hell is the leadership?! Mr. Price may have just worked himself back to AAA with the impending return of SP Scott Kazmir. If there was any question before who the odd man out may be this may have answered it. Price clearly is not ready for the big stage yet. Not only in this start but all of his starts have been hindered by high pitch counts and the inability to pitch deep into a game. In AAA he really needs to find an “out” pitch!
The bullpen stopped the bleeding and finished the game strong once again. RP Winston Abreu and Lance Cormier completed 4 2/3 innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 free pass while striking out 5. This bullpen has turned its’ season around. They were getting pounded at the beginning of the season now they are 3rd in ERA in the AL. Nice job guys! Now go and straighten out those starters please!
The defense had a large part of the blame for the crooked numbers put on the board. Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena each committed their 7th errors of the season while BJ Upton committed his first. This lead to 5 of the 10 runs scored being unearned!
The offense was pitiful against Phils SP Moyer. They only managed 5 hits off a guy who tops the radar at about 80 mph. As a whole the team was 2 for 10 with RISP. Not much good went on here and Pat Burrell continues to struggle at the plate. The guy who was signed to be the big RH power bat and protect Pena has now been bumped down to 6th in the line up due to his struggles. Sorry but this was a bad signing!
The Rays attempt to put this horrendous performance in the past as they send SP Matt Garza to the bump in game 2. Now, same prediction as the last game he pitched – if he keeps it in the park, Rays win. If not rays will struggle. This is a very simple formula, keep the ball down and away and mix in the occasional buzz on the hands to keep them honest. Go Rays!
