World Series Preview Part V : Player-By-Player

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, October 21, 2008 05:27 PM

Let’s now go player-by-player on the Tampa Bay Rays:

C : Dioner Navarro
The top regular hitter at .295, he catches a solid game. Can’t hit that well as a right-handed hitter (.257 with a .726 OPS against lefties, .143 with a .286 OPS against righties).

1B : Carlos Pena
31 HR and 102 RBI make him top producer in lineup. Another player who can’t hit lefties (.190 with .654 OPS), he also has trouble against strikeout pitchers. Cole Hamels should fare well. His 1.209 OPS in late-and-close situations makes him very clutch. Righties should stay away.

2B : Akinori Iwamura
Nothing special offensively, he’s brings nice defense at second. Will swing at the first pitch, and has a .970 OPS when he does so.

3B : Evan Longoria
Lefties fare much better against him (.242), and surprisingly he’s not a good hitter at the Trop (.253), yet he hits homers there (18). Also a clutch hitter. He will strike out a lot (122 in 122 games), and falls victim to low, breaking pitches. You can also throw inside to him. Leave it up, however, and you’re risking it.

SS : Jason Bartlett
Hit .286 despite not being thought of as much of a hitter. He rakes lefties (.379, .919 OPS). the key to him is to make him get under the ball — his one regular season home run was a line drive, and most of his hits go through holes in the infield.

LF : Carl Crawford
Out for a spell this season, his numbers are down from his career norms, but he can still hit and run (25 SB). Not a great clutch hitter, so if Longoria can be put on base in a tight spot, do it. Not keen to have him lead off an inning — he’ll get on any way he can.

CF : BJ Upton
This future star hit a standard .274 this season. His power comes against righties, but he can hit pretty evenly. Like most young players, he kills with a three-ball count but is very beatable when you get ahead. Somewhat of a clutch hitter, he’ll also beat you up in the zone. Phils runners could challenge him at the plate, but he’s thrown out 16 this season.

RF : Gabe Gross
He came over from Milwaukee, hitting 13 home runs but striking out 82 times in 2008. He won’t be in the lineup against lefties (.191, .585 OPS). Consider him a Geoff Jenkins clone.

DH : Cliff Floyd
The veteran leader will play against righties as DH. He won’t see a lefty (.100, .450 OPS). He’s also very comfortable with the Trop (.341 at home, .184 on the road). More of a home run threat anymore, with one out of every six hits leaving the yard.

IF : Willy Aybar
He’ll play when there’s a left-hander on the mound. The 25-year-old switch hitter hits better against lefties at .266. Of his 82 hits, 10 were home runs.

OF : Rocco Baldelli
Finally healthy, Baldelli will take right field against lefties. Hits .292 against them, but with little power and not a lot of experience. Potentially a danger for a guy like Jamie Moyer.

OF : Ben Zobrist
Fifth outfielder gives them power (12 homers in 198 at bats) as a switch-hitting bench guy. He’s your first bench option when a lefty is on the mound.

OF : Fernando Perez
Rookie won’t see much time, but will get in when there’s pinch running to be done (5 SB in 2008). Keep an eye on his when he’s on base.

C : Michel Hernandez
Backup catcher won’t see much time, and isn’t a hitting threat.

SP : Scott Kazmir
Healthy to close out 2008, Kazmir returned to form with a 3.49 ERA. He’ll strike out hitters (166 in 152.1 innings). As a lefty, he’ll give lefties fits (.197 with a .514 OPS, just one home run and seven walks), so don’t expect big things from Utley and Howard in game one. He does get easier to beat as the game wears on, so patience is the key. Make him throw pitches, even if you get out.

SP : James Shields
Boasting a 4:1 K:BB ratio, this guy has been pretty good this season. He carries a 2.59 ERA at home, which is where he’d be pitching (games 2 and 6). He has good command of his fastball and changeup, and will throw them often. That’s actually good news for the Phils — they can’t hit breaking stuff.

SP : Matt Garza
This righty won game seven against the Red Sox. He has trouble on the road, with a 4.53 ERA away. He throws more breaking stuff, including a sharp slider and a curve that registers in the 70s. Very deceptive.

SP : Andy Sonnanstine
He only walked 37 hitters in 2008, so swing away. He’s also deceptive, going with three arm angles and throwing an array of pitches. Goes with fastball, sinker, slider and changeup. If he sticks to breaking stuff throughout, the Phils could be in hot water.

RP : Edwin Jackson
He won’t get into many games unless the Rays really need him. Think of him maybe in the Chan Ho Park role for Tampa.

RP : David Price
The Rays’ first pick of the 2007 draft will be used in the back of the bullpen, but not too overwhelmingly. He’ll give you a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider. Think Brad Lidge. He can be thrown off, however, so patience is preached.

RP : Trever Miller
Miller had a 4.15 ERA in 2008, but he can beat lefties (.209, .612 OPS). He might get in if needed in the sixth or seventh innings against a lefty bat.

RP : Chad Bradford
You won’t see lefties hit against Bradford (.313), but he’s an effective right-handed guy who fools you with his submarine delivery. Experienced righty hitters such as So Taguchi and Pedro Feliz might find him a little easier.

RP : Grant Balfour
A high-strikeout guy, Balfour will give you a mid-90s fastball that can move a bit. He backs that up with a nice slider and sinker combination. A right-side contrast to Price.

RP : JP Howell
The lefty has an incredible K:BB ratio. Doesn’t have a great fastball, but will challenge hitters with a bunch of different pitches. Another deceptive arm.

RP : Dan Wheeler
Probably the primary closer, Wheeler doesn’t strike out as many as his peers, but he carries a top slider. They key against him is to get runners on base — he’ll walk guys and try and throw strikes out of the zone.

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29 Responses to “World Series Preview Part V : Player-By-Player”

Karch Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Brought to you by the Associated Press, who pretend to know Philadelphia:

“Philadelphia is famous for the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks and booing Santa Claus.”
Tim Malcolm Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Is that a quote? I’m surprised the AP would editorialize like that.
Isaiah Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:07 pm
How in the world will the Phillies win. If you watch ESPN there isn’t much of a chance, especially with Price out there. How far up a guys butt can the media crawl.
Karch Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I think it’s crazy that the Rays are such a trendy pick to win the World Series. NO ONE is giving the Phillies any credit whatsoever. It’s sad, really. Even among people I know, everyone is expecting Tampa to steamroll Philly. And what’s worse is that non-baseball fans are automatically siding with Tampa for some reason. A handful of people I know who don’t even follow baseball have caught wind of Tampa and are suddenly huge Rays fans. It’s friggin’ ridiculous.
Karch Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Tim – it’s not a quote. It’s editorial copy by Ron Blum. I tried to paste the link in here, but the comment isn’t sticking. Think the URL is a bit too long or something. Just checkout Yahoo! News, click sports then baseball. You’ll see the story. Headline is: Phillies get early look at Tropicana Field.
Isaiah Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Hey I dont know if anyone on here is from the York, PA area but tomorrow the York Revolution stadium is opened and showing the game on the big screen (16X30). Parking and entry is free so come out and bring your rally towels and let’s get win #1.
Tim Malcolm Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Just read it on my AP wire. Eh, not the kind of sentence I’d like to find in an AP article.
Chase Mutley Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I put this in another thread but CBS Sports Line has a CURRENT (maybe five days ago?) about Brett Myers “beating” his wife. A two year old non-story, completely exaggerated and brought up at a very convenient time. We’re talking a full story too, not just a witty anecdote to fit inbetween “cheesesteak” and “cracked landmark.”

C’mon America, hate us!
Chase Mutley Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Here’s the link if you’re into reading trash: http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/11037073
Karch Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Wow, Freeman is an idiot. He’s the most negative reporter I’ve seen in some time. Here’s another article from yesterday about the upcoming World Series:

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/11048241
Manny Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
America, you’re in for a big surprise.
Don M Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
That type of generalization about WHAT PHILADELPHIA IS FAMOUS FOR… seriously.. somebody call the Phanatic.. I’ll buy him the damn Santa Claus outfit if he’ll wear it Game #3 and shut the AP and TJ Simmers, and everyone else the hell up!!

Also…

With the Rays starting 3 RHP…do you bat 3-Utley, 4-Howard in those games… or do you break these guys up because the strength that the Rays have with LHP from the bullpen in crucial late game at-bats??

Against Kazmir i’d expect Charlie to use the lineup he had against CC Sabathia: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Werth, Feliz, Ruiz… but it gets crazy with the addition of the DH.. AND… remember how bad Utley and Howard did in that game!??

I think tomrw should be, Rollins, Utley, Werth, Howard, Burrell, Victorino, DH-coste, Feliz, 9-Ruiz …(or Bruntlet #8, Feliz #7 if they use Bruntlett)
Don M Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Quick Story about how GREAT cheesesteaks really are..

Saturday night was my bachelor party.. we went to Chickie’s & Pete’s, got drunk, and then went to Show & Tel cause it was the only one both BYOB, and open until 4am…

So we leave at 4, have a cab take us to Pat’s Steaks… I make a mess of myself on the cab ride home eating what was possibly THE BEST MEAL OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.. a Cheesesteak, Wiz AND American..with a fountain coke (or pepsi or whatever it was).. How many other places on Earth can you do stuff like that at 4am!
Matt S Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Congrats Don
dan Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Thanks for sharing Don
Jim Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I am so sick of Steve Phillips blowing everybody but the Rays… ” Oh well the Mets are the team to beat, the Phillies have no chance versus the Dodgers” Well, moron WE are here and deal with it Phils in 6
Manny Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Oh no 2 of 3 ESPN “experts” just picked the Phillies…
Dave Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
you know what, its ok no one wants us to win, no one is picking us to win, we are better as the under dog, this is Philly the media and rest of the nation hates us and I’m ok with that because our Phils will shove it up everyone’s backdoors!
mikemike Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Don M very jealous one of my favorite things was cheesteak with cheese fries from geno’s. but now in my fifties and haven’t touch any kind of meat in years sometimes really miss it.
RBI Magazine To Live Blog Game 1 | RBI Magazine Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
[...] Check out this player-by-player breakdown of the Tampa Bay Rays on Phillies Nation! [...]
Jeremy Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I think they (phillies) will win the whole thing. just based on the fact of the bullpen. it’s stronger, deeper, more experienced. i’d be a worried rays fan if i have to rely on david price to close things out. he has good stuff but hes been in the bigs for a month.

http://theblogofchampions.com/2008/10/21/live-blog/
Phils26 Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Not sure if this counts for anything, but I just got that feeling in my gut, just now this morning that the Phillies are going to do something great against this team. It’s the same feeling I got when the Phillies played the Brewers and the Dodgers. Of course I’m nervous as hell to watch the next few games, but deep down I really do feel like we’ll take this series.

I hope I’m right!
bull Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
Cheesesteak $7
Chips $2
Case of beer $14
Watching the Phils in the World Series – Priceless!!!

Let’s go Phillies!!!
mikemike Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Wish that I had seen the ray’s more. Listening to the expert talk this has to be the best team . Since the 1927 yankess. really didn’t know that were that great. I am not going to watch the series. Can’t understand how they can have this series with according to all the expert the phillies have not a chance, Why not just give them the championship tosay.
Jim D. Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 am
im wondering if the rays will have a let down, they have been focused all year on beating the yankees and the sox mission accomplished
Don M Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 am
Look at the Rays stats from the Regular Season.. Does anyone really scare you that much??

Top 3 Avg: Navaro .295, Bartlett .286, Iwamura .274

Top 3 HR: Pena 31, Longoria 27, Hinske 20 (not on postseason rosters)

Top 3 RBI: Pena 102, Longoria 85, Upton 67

Stolen Bases: Upton 44, Crawford 25, Bartlett 20

Nothing about this lineup really scares me… Our whole team would have hit bombs off of an injured Beckett, and Wakefield too..

Phillies in 6!
Phils26 Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 am
Can we do Phillies in 5? Let the fans in Philly actually enjoy a series win at home.
Chuck Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Who cares where we win. I’ll take a celebration down there. And it will shut up those so-called baseball fans that have suddenly jumped on board as if it’s their life line or something.

Don, the only guy on the team that really “scares” me……and that’s an overused word…..is Upton. The kid is pretty good and very electric. He could be the guy that stirs things up for them. Kind of like a Victorino. Otherwise, I feel good about this.
I_heart_scrapple Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Hey, for any of you Phils fans down here for the games, there are a couple of Phillies-friendly spots for you up in Clearwater. And I’ll apologize in advance for our so-called sports radio here in the bay area; we know it sucks, sorry.

Don M, neither of the Sox teams were scared of any of the Rays either…and now they’ll get to watch them on TV.

Looking forward to a great series, I love hearing those whining sounds coming from NY, LA, Chicago, Boston and Houston…

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