Until Alex Rodriguez hits hits 600 home runs, we'll be baseballreference.com-ing his batter vs. pitcher history against his opposition for the night. Tonight? Wade Davis and the Tampa Bay Rays. Career at Tropicana Field: 21 Home Runs Career vs. Tampa Bay: 43 Home Runs James Shields, Tonight's Starter: 5-23, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K Rays Bullpen: Vs. Andy Sonnanstine: 8-18, 3 HR's, 8 RBI, 1 BB, Vs. Joaquin Benoit: 2-13, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB's, 5 K's Vs. Grant Balfour: 1-9, 2 RBI, 2 BB's, 2 K's Vs. Dan Wheeler: 1-8, 2 K's Vs. Lance Cormier: 2-6, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K Vs. Randy Choate: 4-4, 3 RBI Vs. Rafael Soriano: 0-4, 1 BB Has not faced Chad Qualls Analysis: I wasn't completely surprised to see Alex Rodriguez go through last week's series with the Indians without hitting 600 - as these posts highlighted, Indians pitchers, both starters and relievers, had great records against the man waiting admission to one of the baseball's most prestigious clubs. But with only one game left against Tampa Bay, it's a little bit weird to see his drought continuing. For the first two games, Rodriguez faced starters against whom he had batting averages of over .400, and the Rays have a bullpen chock ful of guys Rodriguez has done well against. But here we are, and James Shields has pretty much owned A-Rod historically - more strikeouts than hits. If the Yankees can chase Shields early, and the Rays have to bring in some of their lesser relief pitchers - i.e., anybody that isn't Joaquin Benoit - things could get prettier for A-Rod.
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