Masterson looms as Plan A in case Dice-K is out
The Sox have altered Pawtucket's pitching rotation, with Justin Masterson scheduled to make his PawSox debut tonight in McCoy Stadium against the Scranton Yankees. Originally, Masterson was scheduled to pitch Saturday, after David Pauley and Clay Buchholz, but they have both been pushed back, with Masterson getting the ball tonight.
That would put Masterson in line to pitch Tuesday at Fenway Park against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, which is when the Sox would need another starter in case Daisuke Matsuzaka is unavailable. Matsuzaka is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday for what the club originally described as "shoulder fatigue." Given how cautiously the Sox are with their pitchers, it seems a virtual certainty that Matsuzaka misses at least one start; it remains to be seen whether the injury warrants a trip to the disabled list.
Masterson has not pitched since holding the Royals to 3 hits and a run in 6 1/3 innings on May 20 in Boston for his first big-league win. In his big-league debut, April 24 against the Angels, Masterson gave up 2 hits and a run in 6 innings but was not involved in the decision. Masterson, who started the season with Double-A Portland, was optioned to Pawtucket after the Royals game but was skipped a turn to give him a breather.
If Matsuzaka goes on the DL, the most plausible scenario would be to add another bat for this weekend's series against the Baltimore Orioles. The hottest PawSox hitter is Jeff Bailey, who hit a home run off Detroit's Nate Robertson during a three-game callup last July. The right-handed-hitting Bailey comes into tonight's game with big numbers in May: .333 average, 11 home runs and 30 RBIs.
They're just the "Rays" now.
"That would put Masterson in line to pitch Tuesday at Fenway Park against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays,"
Or, rather, the Tampa Bay Rays, eh?
Take the "Devil" out. They are just the "Rays". (Pay the fine.)
devil rays? i heard you get a letter asking for a dollar every time you call them that on tv...
It's the Tampa Bay Rays. Devil was dropped.
Looks like someone owes Tampa's front office $1 for using "Devil" in front of the team name Rays. Gordon Edes, get your checkbook out!
Not that I'm a TB fan, but they officially changed their nickname from the "Devil Rays" to the "Rays" this year.
I eagerly wish that Matsuzaka will come back to the pitching rotation as early as possible. Suppose Matsuzaka felt shoulder fatigue. Then, he should by all means try to reduce too many walks he usually gives, and manage to throw at least seven innings constantly. For that purpose, he should have a ball in which he can have an absolute confidence, like Wakefield's knuckle ball, or Nomo's fork ball. Then Okajima and Papelbon will surely close the game. Also, he should never forget the fact that there are many good defending players behind him, such
as Pedroia, Lowell, Youkilis, Lugo, Ellsbury; of course, Varitek is a good catcher. Too many walks make the game dull and tedious. Matsuzaka's pitching often makes me frustrated, though I am an enthusiastic Japanese fan of him.
By the way, Tampa Bay Rays' closer Troy Percival was placed on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain. The Rays owe their present success(the present AL East leader) to Percival (1-0 with 14 saves in 16 chances and a 2.95 ERA) very
much. This is a time of trial for the Rays as well. All's Well That Ends Well.
Hey Gord! It's Rays Baby! Tampa Bay RAYS! We got rid of the Devil!
love Dave
not to nit pik gordon but it is now the tampa bay rays minus the devil. you owe their organization $1.00 haha
Typo: the "Tampa Bay Rays" are no longer "Devil Rays"
Please Masterson Please I want him to pitch
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