Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 26, 2008
Playoffs Today

The Tampa Bay Rays find themselves in a must-win game as they play the Phillies in game four tonight, scheduled for an 8:29 PM EDT start. The Rays are likely to have a tough time with Cole Hamels Monday night in game five, so they need a win tonight to guarantee a return to Tropicana Field.

Andy Sonnanstine tries to get the job done on the mound for the Rays. He pitched well in the first two rounds, posting a 3.29 ERA. In his 13 innings of work he allowed three home runs, but all three were solo shots. He's walked just two batters and allowed six other hits to keep the bases fairly empty so the power won't hurt too much. In his major league career he's averaging 1.75 walks per nine innings.

It's Joe Blanton's job to try to keep the series from returning to Florida. Blanton went 4-0 for the Phillies during the regular season, and remains undefeated for them in the post season, winning his start against MIlwaukee. Going deep in games is not Blanton's forte, which is why having the fine Phillies bullpen behind him is so important. He averaged about 5 1/2 innings per start in both the regular and post seasons for Philadelphia.

Like Sonnanstine, Blanton doesn't walk batters, averaging 2.52 per nine innings for his career. He did show more wildness once he joined the Phillies, however, walking nearly four batters per nine after the trade. More walks came with a reduction in hits, however, so it was probably a good tradeoff.

Blanton pitched against the Rays earlier this year, a game won in the 13th on a Longoria home run. Blanton often looks like he pitches better than the result, and this game was a perfect example. Six innings, six hits, one walk, but four runs allowed. Part of that came from his .302 BA allowed with runners in scoring position.

It should be a good one, enjoy!


Posted by David Pinto at 03:34 PM | World Series | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Post a comment









Remember personal info?