Tailgating With The Rays: What Happens To Matt Joyce When BJ Upton Returns?

This post, which will appear before every game, will include starting lineups (when we learn them) and during the game will include a Game Graph that will constantly update the percent chance the Rays have of winning this particular game.

Game Graph…

With BJ Upton still on the DL, Matt Joyce is once again in the lineup today despite a lefty on the mound. When Upton returns, will Joyce return to the bench against lefties?

Joyce is hitting ninth, so that tells us that Joe Maddon still doesn’t have a lot of confidence in Joyce against a lefty, even against a young lefty making his first big league start. So against tough lefties, we will probably see Joyce on the bench. But Joyce is also a solid defender, so he still brings something to the table. So he will get fewer starts versus lefties, but we still expect to see him out there most days…NOT ENTIRELY

Lineup…

1. Flash Jennings, CF
2. Carlos Pena, 1B
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Jeff Keppinger, DH
5. Ben Zobrist, RF
6. Sean Rodriguez, SS
7. Jose Lobaton, C
8. Elliot Johnson, 2B
9. Matt Joyce, LF
10. Jeff Niemann, SP

Song to get you pumped up…

It’s a long season, keep your eye on the big picture…

Tags Tailgate