Tampa Bay Rays 2008 revisited?
Tampa Bay Rays fans, are you getting that feeling yet? Do you remember September and October of 2008? The way the Rays would find a new hero every night and seemingly always find a way to pull off another victory? I said a few weeks ago that this was the best squad the Rays have ever put on the field and we might be witnessing something very special here. The Rays aren’t just currently the Beast of the AL East, they are the best team in baseball currently with a 14-5 record, a winning percentage of .737. And that’s not all, Tampa has scored the most runs in MLB and has the largest differential between runs allowed and runs scored, with the Rays currently sitting at a +50 difference. Even Pat Burrell is hitting the ball! In the last 7 days, he’s hitting at a .308 clip.
Small bump, then back on track
So much for my visions of a complete 3 series 10 game sweep for the Rays. Was I delusional after Boston? No. I was realistic, this team is just that good.
On Easter week, the temperatures touched near 80 degrees around the Chicago area, and tonight, it was just as cold as it was last Friday when the Rays administered the Boston beatdown. 38 degrees at the first pitch. What’s up with that?
Last night the Rays appeared shell shocked and I could tell by the end of the third inning they were going to be in for a long night. Tonight was another story though.
Wade Davis took the mound tonight for the good guys, and as the #5 starter, he’s already drawn some miserable matchups this season, tonight going against the White Sox Ace, Mark Buehrle. The promising young hurler didn’t fail to deliver, by striking out 6, and giving up 2 hits and no earned runs in 6 innings pitched. Rays pitching overall only surrendered 4 hits the entire game.
Chicago’s Buehrle on the other hand, made 85 pitches in 4.2 innings, gave up 9 hits and 6 earned runs. The Rays however didn’t discriminate as they lit up the White Sox pitching staff for 12 runs, on 13 hits. The 12 runs scored tonight is the most ever scored by the Rays on a White Sox team and the second largest shutout victory in team history.
[picappgallerysingle id="5749966"]
Yes, I understand the game was in Chicago tonight, but did the mob put out a contract on every infielder the Rays have? White Sox 1B, Paul Konerko single handedly tried to wipe out the Rays infield. First by stepping on Sean Rodriguez’s hand in an attempt to get back to first base. Rodriguez never left the game, and in fact later hit a home run and was only a triple away from hitting for the cycle tonight. Then later in the game, Konerko hit Evan Longoria in the back of the head in an attempt to turn a double play.
Thursday’s matchup features Tampa’s James Shields going up against Chicago’s Jake Peavy. On Friday, the Rays return to the friendly confines of the Trop and take on the Toronto Blue Jays. If Tampa beats Chicago tomorrow, they will have achieved the most successful road trip in team history, going 9-1 in 10 games.
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Thank you Baltimore. And now, thank you Boston. The chowdaaaa was tasty but your weather sucked. ESPN has ranked Tampa #2 in their useless power ranking survey this week. Power rankings are for people who don’t really follow professional sports and the rankings are made up to get people to read their articles.
Today’s unusual 11am start in Fenway, allowed the Rays their first ever sweep of Boston in Fenway of a series of 3 or more games. Your Tampa Bay Ray’s plastered Red Sox pitcher John Lackey, who signed an 80 million dollar contract this offseason for 8 earned runs and 9 hits.
Boston now is sitting at an overall record of 4-9 and they are off to their worst regular season start since 1996 when the Red Sox started 2-11. Boo hoo. How are things working out for ya Rob Duca? You putz. How’s it feel looking up to a team that plays in a stadium as dreadful as the Trop? Weather sure does suck up there right now, huh? 83 here today.
B. J. Upton, who surprisingly is in a contract year, has really stepped up this week, knocking 3 home runs, and driving in 7 RBI’s. According to several websites which do projections, he is currently on pace for 50 HR’s and 137 RBI’s. Please. Upton might knock on the door of 25 homers, but 50? Pat Burrell has a better chance to hit.300 than Upton has to hit over 30 home runs this season. Both of those chances are slim and none.
So, as the Rays took care of business in the Northeast corridor, they now head over to the home city famous for corruption, election fraud and terrible pizza. Chicago. The White Sox are struggling at the plate right now, and what better time to cruise into the Windy City.
The Rays have just tied a consecutive game winning streak at 7 games, and are on a 8 game road winning streak dating back to last season. One of the downfalls for Tampa last season was their play on the road, and even though this season is in it’s infancy, this year’s squad doesn’t appear afraid of anything.
Get your brooms ready
[picappgallerysingle id="6965700"]The Rays face off with the Red Sox in the final game of their 4 game series this morning in a rare 11am game. Tampa is riding a 6 game road win streak as David Price takes the mound for the good guys today. Better get the brooms ready!
Who stole the #5 jersey?
[picappgallerysingle id="8525011"]
That couldn’t have been Pat Burrell. A home run to close out the 12th inning of the suspended game and then a 3 run double. Holy crap. Burrell raised his batting average to an eye popping .212 after his performance yesterday. Pat, you’re going to have to do more of the same to win me back on your side, but way to go Saturday.
James Shields pitched 6 2/3 innings with 7 strikeouts in a rare win against the Red Sox. Shields has a career record of 4-7 versus Boston.
RP Rafael Soriano had 2 saves in one day.
Tampa is off to it’s best start ever in team history and they are currently 5-0 halfway through their current road trip. Hey, Rob Duca, the weather looks pretty crappy up there in Baaaawwwwasten, it was simply beautiful here yesterday. 83 degrees.
