MLB Match-Up Tuesday - Garza, Rays head to Toronto to face Halladay and the Blue Jays

July 28, 2008

Blue Jays Ace Roy HallidayBlue Jays Ace Roy Halladay

by T.J. Kendrick

Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays - Tuesday, July 29 at 7:07 p.m. ET

The Rays (61-43) will turn to Matt Garza on Tuesday to help the team gain some momentum; the team is barely clinging to the AL East division lead. Tampa Bay has won six of its last 10 games, a run most consider pretty solid. Still, considering it follows a seven-game losing streak, a prolonged winning streak would be much appreciated by Tampa fans.

Garza (8-6) has shown lots of promise this season. The youngster has a solid 3.83 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, though he’s been inconsistent as of late. The Rays have lost three of his last four starts, including a rough outing against Kansas City a few days ago.

Despite being a little all over the map recently―Garza has given up zero, three, seven, zero and four runs in his past five starts, respectively―he’s enjoyed immense success against Toronto this season. In two starts, the righty has given up just one run in 14.1 innings of work (though he earned a loss in one of those games thanks to a poor bullpen performance).

He’ll need to be at his best with a subpar offense behind him. The Rays haven’t been great at scoring runs all year and they’re really struggling in July, producing just 3.6 runs per game this month.

Emerging superstar Evan Longoria is doing his part, however. The rookie has mashed this season, amassing 19 homers. He’s had a fine run lately, hitting .314 in 10 games while clubbing three dingers and eight RBIs.

He even hit a grand slam last week against Toronto’s starter, Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays (53-52) are hoping their ace can continue a nice little run lately. The team won five straight last week after losing to Seattle on Sunday.

Halladay (12-7) is making a run at the Cy Young award. He’s among league leaders in wins (tied for fourth), ERA (third at 2.82), strike outs (third with 133), WHIP (third at 1.04) and innings pitched (first with 159.1). Toronto has picked up wins in four of his last five starts, including a victory over Baltimore last week (he gave up one run in seven innings).

The right-hander has struggled against Tampa Bay this season, however. He’s 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in two starts. That’s well off his career marks of 9-6 with a 3.90 ERA in 25 appearances. He hasn’t had much run support against the Rays this season, so perhaps the offense can help out.

That might be a tough task for Toronto. The lineup has struggled all season, showing very little pop and frequently hitting into double plays. There have been signs of life in July―the Jays are seventh in scoring this month―but it’s hard to believe things will magically turn around at mid-season.

Halladay is the superior pitcher, but the Rays seem to have his number this season. Considering Garza’s great success against the Blue Jays this season and a Tampa Bay win makes sense.

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Written by T.J. Kendrick · Filed Under Baseball, Handicapping 

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