Up next: Marlins

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published July 2, 2004

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SCOUTING REPORT: On paper, the 2003 world champions have one of baseball's top pitching staffs. The Rays were lucky last weekend in avoiding Brad Penny (7-6, 2.96 ERA), Dontrelle Willis (6-5, 4.24) and Josh Beckett (on the DL), beating Michael Tejera and A.J. Burnett. This weekend, Penny and Willis follow Carl Pavano in the rotation. Pavano (9-2, 2.78) dominated the Rays Sunday, and could be pitching for a All-Star Game start tonight.

Closer Armando Benitez has 26 saves and a 1.11 ERA.

After Thursday's loss to the Braves the Marlins have lost 9 of 13 and are one back behind first-place with Philadelphia in the NL East. Third baseman Mike Lowell is 14-for-37 during a nine-game hitting streak, and his 18 HRs and 49 RBI are second on the team behind Miguel Cabrera (19-53).

Leadoff man Juan Pierre is just 1-for-his-past-16 and is well behind last year's pace with only 18 steals (29 attempts). Manager Jack McKeon will bat Luis Castillo (.283, 11 SB) on top occasionally.

CONNECTIONS: Damion Easley, who homered Sunday against Tampa Bay, was a Ray last season. ... GM Dan Jennings is the former director of scouting with the Rays.

SEASON SERIES: The Rays lead 2-1.