“We did not play well, we didn’t hit well; we didn’t do anything well.”
-Joe Maddon
Last nights 5-1 loss at the hands of the barely over .500 Blue Jays was a very ugly, very VERY unfortunate one; a loss that came at a time when the Rays really cannot relent any other games. Especially a loss to a team that is essentially a sub .500 team. And with only five games left to play in the season, there really aren’t any opportunities for the Rays to play as inconsistently as they have for a good portion of the season, including last nights abysmal one run on three hit performance…or shall I say lack there of. Johnny Damon’s post game comments put things into perspective very well, “But now the Rays have to win all five of their remaining games to have a chance.” Here here to that.
Luckily an Angels loss to the Athletics, and a rain out in the New York, forcing a double-header between the Yankees and Red Sox Sunday, helped cushion the blow a bit. Yet, (and again) Tampa Bay cannot depend on outside factors, that they have no control over, to determine whether or not they find the post season.
The Rays are still in the race technically and mathematically. However, they looked as though that they resigned themselves emotionally. David Price’s three run, third inning defensive miscues spoke volumes about their affect at the moment. Tampa Bay will need to be dominant, both at the plate and defensively, from here on out. When all is said and done, all of the criticisms that the throngs of writers and fans have made the course of this season are applicable to their performance last night. Let’s hope that Niemann and Co. can enter tonight, and the remaining five regular season games, with the fire that rivals that of the burning of 1,000 suns.
In other news, Steve Slowinski over at DRaysbay.com just posted:
MLB Likely To Add Extra Wild Card Team
The most recent CBA rumors are suggesting that MLB is all but guaranteed to add another Wild Card team in each league, and the change could come as soon as next year. The two Wild Card teams would then play in a one-game playoff. Also, it sounds like this move would force MLB to realign into two 15-team leagues, with the Astros moving to the AL.
Yeah, it’s a double-edged sword for the Rays, but I’m incredibly excited. A balanced schedule and another Wild Card slot? Sign me up for that.
We mentioned this a while back here on raysbaseball.co, however it is wonderful to hear that these changes have gone from whispered rumors, to changes that are imminent.
More on tonight’s battle including the starting lineup’s to come later.