Upcoming Series:
Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 15-28, .349 (HM: 10-12), 5th AL East, -10.5
Minnesota Twins: 23-20, .535 (RD: 13-8), t-2nd AL Central, -1.5
Season Series:
Pitching Matchups:
05/25: Kyle Lohse (4-2, 3.54) vs. Jeff Suppan (1-6, 6.14)
05/26: Johan Santana (3-2, 4.21) vs. Mark Hendrickson (3-1, 4.04)
05/27: Carlos Silva (5-3, 3.41) vs. Victor Zambrano (1-3, 6.36)
Series Preview:
Many figure Jeff Suppan saved his spot in the rotation when he faced down his former Red Sox teammates and was the hardluck loser against Pedro Martinez. Now comes a bigger challenge, taking the momentum of that great start and translating over to the next game. Tampa needs to buck the trend of two losses for every win and start putting together some solid winning ballgames.
Facing a Twins team that realisticly is looking to take all games will be a difficult task. After watching the Indians take 4 of 6 to take away the Central division lead, Minnesota should be pumped to come to Florida for this matchup. Highly touted catcher Joe Mauer is adjusted nicely, hitting a respectable .272, while working with a pitching staff 6th in baseball with a .420 ERA.
Tampa Bay Team News: (05/21-05/24)
Around the League: (05/21-05/24)
- 05/21:
-Cleveland Indian C.C. Sabathia pitched a one-hit shutout against Tampa Bay.
-New York Met C Mike Piazza brok his finer in a collision at home plate. He will be sidelined for six to seven weeks.
- 05/24:
-Cincinnati signed free agent MR C.J. Nitkowski to a one year $300,000 contract.
-American League Player of the Week: RF Jody Gerut (CLE). He batted .476 in 21 AB, with 2 HR and 7 RBI.
-National League Player of the Week: CF Steve Finley (ARI). He batted .542 in 24 AB, with 2 HR and 5 RBI.
American League East Standings: (5/25/2004)
Code:
Team W-L PCT GB Streak Last 10
New York 26-18 .591 - L2 5-5
Boston 24-22 .522 3.0 L2 5-5
Toronto 22-23 .489 4.5 L1 4-6
Baltimore 17-27 .386 9.0 L2 4-6
Tampa Bay 15-28 .349 10.5 W1 3-7