Sound the alarm! Panic! The Tampa Bay Rays fell to a 1-5-1 record on the after dropping both of their split squad games Tuesday afternoon — 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates and 5-1 to the Boston Red Sox. In actuality though, you should probably think twice before you sound the death knell on the season before it even starts. While Spring Training scores and statistics are mostly meaningless, many place too much emphasis on them — especially early on. Instead of summarizing Tuesday afternoon’s split squad action, I thought it a good idea to step back and discuss what we should and shouldn’t be taking away from Spring Training.
Author Archives: Schmitty
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 15: Rays Fall to Yankees 4-3; Karns’ Change-up, Injury Update, Colome Returns
Nathan Karns continued his bid for the fifth starter spot with a three inning, 49 pitch outing, relinquishing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. Karns told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) was pleased to go three innings and get in work on his change-up; a pitch he wants to improve. His change, though not wholly consistent, was effective enough to get Carlos Beltran to whiff. In an ideal world, the outcome of that at-bat will resonate with Karns as a growth moment.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 14: Rays Fall to Philly, 5-4; Injury Update
Chris Archer took the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday afternoon, in what amounted to a sloppy error filled game against the Philadelphia Phillies — sans any base runners until the fifth inning and no scoring until the eighth. Suffice it to say, it wasn’t pretty. Despite everything, there were a few bright spots.
Rays Injury Report; On Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin, John Jaso and Brandon Guyer
The Tampa Bay Rays confirmed speculation by Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), LHP Drew Smyly is behind schedule, with concern that he may start the season on the DL due to tendinitis in his left shoulder.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 13: Rays Tie Pirates 1-1; Brandon Guyer, John Jaso and Nick Franklin Injured
The Tampa Bay Rays walked away from Bradenton with a 1-1, extra inning tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday. There wasn’t much offensive production to speak of, save for a Steven Souza double in the fourth inning and an Evan Longoria double in the sixth — which the Rays couldn’t convert into runs — and an eighth inning solo shot off the bat of Corey Brown; the Rays only run of the game.